Former Israeli security chief calls for Gaza to remain 'destroyed for generations'

Giora Eiland, a former head of Israel’s National Security Council, has publicly stated that Gaza should remain devastated for decades, arguing that Palestinian despair and destruction serve Israel's interests. In an interview with 103FM radio, Eiland expressed that rebuilding Gaza would be against Israeli interests and that the greater the destruction, the better it serves as a monument to the October 7 attacks.

Eiland, described as a secular Israeli nationalist aligned with opposition politician Avigdor Lieberman, also criticized a 15-point Gaza plan backed by US President Donald Trump, calling it 'pro-Hamas.' He drew a parallel to Germany after World War II, suggesting that the losing side in a war forfeits territory. Eiland advocated for Israel to retain control of the 'Yellow Line,' a territory its military occupies within Gaza, which he estimated could expand to 70 percent of the enclave, serving as a security buffer.

He also critiqued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of relations with the US, particularly its reliance on the personal relationship with Trump. Eiland advised Netanyahu to accept the US plan conditionally, suggesting a strategy of 'yes, but...' rather than a flat rejection. He proposed that Israel could temporarily suspend 'assassinations' in Gaza as a tactical concession to Washington while insisting on maintaining control of the Yellow Line.