Key facts
- Former Israeli army official Nitzan Alon believes the Gaza war was unnecessarily prolonged.
- Alon stated the conflict could have ended at least a year earlier, potentially saving lives and resources.
- He criticized the Israeli cabinet and political leadership for rejecting earlier comprehensive deals in pursuit of 'total victory'.
- Alon accused the government of creating an 'irreversible reality' in the West Bank through settlements and outposts.
- He described the use of 'militias and other proxy forces' in the occupied West Bank.
Major General Nitzan Alon, who formerly headed the Israeli army’s Hostages and Missing Persons Command, has asserted that Israel unnecessarily prolonged the war in Gaza, suggesting it could have concluded at least a year earlier. Alon stated that earlier negotiations might have facilitated the return of some captives alive.
Alon contended that Israel could have strategically achieved similar or better results, such as disarming Hamas, without the heavy costs in soldiers' lives, potential hostage deaths, and financial expenditure. He specifically criticized Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who he claimed opposed certain agreements and could not claim credit for the return of all hostages.
According to Alon, the cabinet and political leadership rejected comprehensive deals in favor of a pursuit of 'total victory,' which he deemed a falsehood. He argued that prolonging the war for over two years until forced by the American administration was not the optimal strategy given the price paid.