Netanyahu panicked in the first days of the war — reason named

According to a publication, in the first weeks of the war Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had serious concerns about a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, warning of thousands of casualties. He also expressed fear of the consequences of Hezbollah shelling, comparing it to a nuclear threat. The military leadership, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, insisted on the operation, and Netanyahu eventually agreed.

A publication based on conversations with numerous political, military, security, and diplomatic sources paints a picture opposite to the official version of events. According to the article, in the first weeks of the war Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not composed and decisive, but rather experienced serious doubts and fears. At meetings, he repeatedly expressed reluctance to approve a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, fearing thousands of casualties. Netanyahu also worried about the fate of the hostages, believing that Hamas might use them as human shields, and thought that public opinion was not ready for such a cost. The military leadership, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, insisted on their position, and the prime minister eventually agreed. Separately, the author describes Netanyahu's concerns about the threat from Hezbollah. The prime minister predicted the destruction of buildings in Tel Aviv as a result of retaliatory fire and compared the consequences to a nuclear threat from Iran. These concerns, according to the author, may explain his policy of restraint before October 7.