Former senior officer accuses: 'There was a possibility to defeat Hamas like the PLO in Lebanon'

Brig. Gen. (res.) Guy Hazut, who served as head of the learning division in the Ground Forces during the Swords of Iron war, claimed in an interview with Radio 103FM that Israel could have defeated Hamas like the PLO was defeated in Lebanon, had it fought according to its principles. He criticized the inability to translate tactical achievements into political ones, and referred to the maneuver in November 2023. The interview comes against the backdrop of statements by Netanyahu and Trump about a deal to disarm Hamas.

Brigadier General (res.) Guy Hazut, who served during the Swords of Iron war as head of the learning division in the Ground Forces, said this morning (Monday) in an interview with Radio 103FM that Israel has not managed to achieve real gains in three years of war in the Gaza Strip. According to him, the IDF achieved enormous tactical successes but struggled to translate them into political achievements. He described the maneuver in November 2023 as "so effective, lethal, and cunning" that Hamas pushed for a ceasefire out of understanding that it faced an army conducting a decisive battle. Hazut argued that if Israel had fought according to its principles, it would have succeeded in defeating Hamas just as the PLO was forced to leave Lebanon. The interview comes against the backdrop of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks yesterday, who rejected the 15-point document regarding the Gaza Strip, and declared that the IDF will not withdraw until a real disarmament of Hamas. Additionally, US President Donald Trump announced about a week ago a "historic deal" for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed organizations in the Strip.