Hagari, Netanyahu Clash Over Hamas Resurfaces

Its being put this way: “A new clash is developing between Netanyahu and Hagari” as one blogger put it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is angered by spokesman of the Israeli army Daniel Hagari who told the American ABC News channel that Israel would still be fighting Hamas five years from now.

Later Israel’s Channel 14 reported that Netanyahu strongly criticized Hagari in a closed meet of the Israeli government.

The clash between the two is trending on social media. Another blogger put it this way saying Hagari has “admitted to the American media that his army was unable to eliminate Hamas no matter how long lasted.

His comments are being widely distributed. Hagari told ABC’s Mike Gutman: “Will you and me be talking five years from now about Hamas as a terror organization in Gaza? The answer is yes.”

Israel Hayom said Hagari presented a candid assessment and it contrasts sharply with the “optimistic rhetoric” of Netanyahu “who continues to promise a swift defeat of Hamas.” The paper said Hagari’s comments suggest “a more complex and challenging road ahead for the Israeli forces in Gaza.”

The widening rift between Hagari and Netanyahu is increasing especially because the comments of the Rear Admiral about his earlier comments last month about the impossible task of destroying Hamas, quoted as saying:

This business of destroying Hamas, making Hamas disappear – it’s simply throwing sand in the eyes of the public,” he said. “Hamas is an idea, Hamas is a party. It’s rooted in the hearts of the people – whoever thinks we can eliminate Hamas is wrong.”

CrossFireArabia

CrossFireArabia

Dr. Marwan Asmar holds a PhD from Leeds University and is a freelance writer specializing on the Middle East. He has worked as a journalist since the early 1990s in Jordan and the Gulf countries, and been widely published, including at Albawaba, Gulf News, Al Ghad, World Press Review and others.

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Iran Halts Attacks on Neighboring States Unless…

Iran’s president said Saturday that his country will refrain from attacking neighboring states unless attacks are launched against Iran from their territory, state-run Press TV reported.

“The temporary leadership council announced yesterday that there will be no more attacks on neighboring countries and no missile launches unless attacks originate from those countries against Iran,” Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised address to the Iranian people.

He also apologized to neighboring countries amid rising regional tensions, saying Iran has “no intention of invading other countries.”

Pezeshkian also dismissed expectations that Iran would surrender unconditionally, saying that those who nurse such hopes “will take their dreams to the grave.”

Iran on Feb. 28 launched missiles and drones toward Israel and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets. Some of the attacks have caused casualties and damage to civilian sites, including ports and residential buildings.

Tehran says the attacks came in response to a US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that has killed hundreds of people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military officials. Anadolu

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