In a striking rebuke of current Israeli military operations, former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon has accused Israel of conducting ethnic cleansing and committing war crimes in the Gaza Strip.
Yaalon, who previously served as Israel's military chief of staff and defense minister under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leveled these serious allegations against the current government's handling of the Gaza conflict that began in October 2023.
The former defense chief specifically pointed to hardliners in Netanyahu's cabinet as being responsible for policies aimed at annexation and displacement in northern Gaza. His accusations come at a sensitive time, following the International Criminal Court's issuance of arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Netanyahu's allies swiftly condemned Yaalon's statements, arguing that such criticism could damage Israel's international standing and aid its opponents. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar rejected the accusations, maintaining that Israel's military operations comply with international law.
Yaalon's relationship with Netanyahu has been contentious since their political split in 2016. As defense minister, Yaalon oversaw Israel's military response during the 2014 Gaza conflict, which was the longest confrontation between Israel and Hamas prior to the current war.
His criticism represents an unusual break from Israel's security establishment during wartime, highlighting growing internal debates over military conduct and policy in Gaza as international scrutiny intensifies.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in extensive civilian casualties and widespread displacement within the Gaza Strip, drawing increased attention to Israel's military strategy and its humanitarian consequences.