Former Israeli Army Chief Eisenkot Reveals Plans to Assassinate Nasrallah in 2006 and 2009, Ben-Gvir Attacks Him
Former Israeli Army Chief Gadi Eisenkot disclosed assassination plots against Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in 2006 and 2009. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized Eisenkot for these past decisions.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash Lite
The article details former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot's revelations about assassination attempts on Hassan Nasrallah. It also highlights the ensuing political spat with current Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who criticizes Eisenkot's past actions.
Imagine Israel wanted to catch a very important person, Hassan Nasrallah, like a game of hide-and-seek. The army chief, Gadi Eisenkot, said they had plans to catch him in 2006 and 2009, but he kept moving. Another politician, Itamar Ben-Gvir, is angry at Eisenkot, saying he was too careful and that they should have acted faster.
Analysis
Gadi Eisenkot's Revelations
Former Israeli Army Chief Gadi Eisenkot has brought to light previously undisclosed details regarding Israeli security establishment's plans to assassinate Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. During a podcast interview, Eisenkot revealed that the Israeli army had studied the building where Nasrallah was believed to be residing in 2006, during the July War. Intelligence assessments at the time, however, suggested that Nasrallah was not present in the building and had moved to an unidentifiable location. This intelligence gap ultimately prevented the execution of the plan.
The idea of targeting Nasrallah was reportedly revisited in 2009, indicating a persistent strategic objective within the Israeli security apparatus. Eisenkot also mentioned that he had informed the Israeli cabinet that the army intended to destroy two suspected buildings. However, this plan faced opposition from two ministers, one of whom was former Shin Bet head Avi Dichter. Despite these challenges, Eisenkot claimed that they were able to locate Nasrallah's shelter four days later, but he had already departed, leading to the operation's failure before it could be initiated.
Itamar Ben-Gvir's Criticism
Following Eisenkot's revelations, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir launched a strong public attack on the former army chief. Ben-Gvir shared a clip of Eisenkot's interview, accompanied by a critical statement: "There is no leadership, no strength, and no Judaism." Ben-Gvir posted on the platform 'X' (formerly Twitter), sharing a video of Eisenkot recounting how he prevented an operation that could have eliminated Nasrallah in 2006, citing concerns for civilians in the vicinity of the building.
Ben-Gvir accused Eisenkot of adhering to "defeatist ethics" that, according to him, kept Nasrallah alive and subsequently led to the deaths of hundreds of Israelis. He further alleged that Eisenkot attempted to impose these same ethics during the recent war while serving as a cabinet minister. Ben-Gvir contrasted this with the current government's actions, stating, "Fortunately, you left the cabinet, and we were able to eliminate Nasrallah using great force."
The Assassination of Nasrallah
The article clarifies that Israel assassinated Hassan Nasrallah on September 27, 2023, in Haret Hreik, in the southern suburb of Beirut. The operation involved the use of over 80 tons of bombs during the war on Lebanon. This detail is crucial as Ben-Gvir's statement implies a recent successful assassination, contrasting with Eisenkot's account of past failed attempts and the subsequent successful operation in 2023. The political exchange highlights differing strategic philosophies within Israel's security and political leadership regarding the methods and justifications for eliminating high-profile adversaries, particularly in the context of ongoing regional tensions and conflicts.
Key points
- Former Israeli Army Chief Gadi Eisenkot revealed plans to assassinate Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in 2006 and 2009.
- Eisenkot stated that intelligence failures and political opposition prevented the execution of these assassination plots.
- Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized Eisenkot for past decisions, accusing him of 'defeatist ethics'.
- Ben-Gvir claimed that the current government successfully assassinated Nasrallah in September 2023.
- The exchange highlights differing strategic approaches and political tensions within Israel's leadership.
The public discussion initiated by Eisenkot's revelations could foster a more transparent debate within Israel about past military decisions and their ethical implications. It might also lead to a clearer understanding of the strategic challenges in confronting adversaries like Hezbollah.
The public spat between Eisenkot and Ben-Gvir risks escalating political divisions within Israel, potentially undermining national security discourse. It could also embolden adversaries by highlighting internal disagreements and past operational failures.
