Benjamin Netanyahu is facing political backlash in Israel for the restricted scope of Sunday's airstrikes against Hezbollah, with calls for a larger offensive in Lebanon. Some of the harshest criticism came from the far-right sector of the prime minister's own fractured coalition, which is itself becoming increasingly divided over Jerusalem's holy site.
The escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have put Netanyahu in a precarious position, as he attempts to balance national security concerns with political pressures. The limited scope of the airstrikes has left many Israelis feeling vulnerable and questioning the government's strategy. This situation has further strained the already fragile coalition, with various factions pushing for more aggressive action against Hezbollah.
In terms of the number of aircraft flights and weapons released, Israel's airstrikes and Hezbollah's rocket and drone launches that followed were the largest cross-border confrontation since the two sides fought a war in 2006, though not in terms of casualties. Three Hezbollah and allied combatants were killed, as well as one Israeli sailor, by pieces from an Israeli interceptor.
According to Israel's defense minister, Yoav Gallant, the preemptive strikes on Sunday morning prevented Hezbollah from launching up to two-thirds of the missiles it planned to fire at Israel. Israel also claimed to have shot down almost all inbound Hezbollah drones. Netanyahu warned that the airstrikes would not be "the end of the story," but military sources told the Israeli press that no additional actions were planned.
The limited nature of the airstrikes has raised questions about Israel's long-term strategy in dealing with the Hezbollah threat. Military analysts have pointed out that while the strikes may have disrupted immediate plans, they do little to address the underlying issues that have led to the ongoing conflict. Some experts argue that a more comprehensive approach, combining military action with diplomatic efforts, may be necessary to achieve lasting stability in the region.
On Monday, the prime minister was widely blamed from both the center and right of the political spectrum for the limited goal of Sunday's air raids, which disrupted Hezbollah's planned aerial assault but did nothing to allow up to 80,000 residents of northern border towns, who had been displaced from northern Israel since October, to return home.
leaders of the displaced population, who have been forced to from their homes due to Hezbollah bombing in support with Hamas in Gaza, have indicated they will boycott meetings with government leaders, accusing the coalition of prioritizing central Israel's defense over the north.
"For nearly a year, the Galilee has been pulverized, ravaged, and set on fire; tens of thousands of Israelis have been torn from their homes; and the entire country, which not long ago was considered a regional superpower, has been humiliated," wrote Ben Caspit, a columnist in the center-right Maariv newspaper. He stated that Netanyahu had selected the most cautious military option provided to him by his generals.
The plight of the displaced residents has become a focal point of criticism against Netanyahu's government. Humanitarian organizations have reported deteriorating conditions in temporary shelters and growing frustration among those unable to return to their homes. This situation has not only created a humanitarian crisis but also poses a significant political challenge for Netanyahu, as public opinion increasingly demands a more effective solution to the Hezbollah threat.
"He prevented and disrupted one of Hezbollah's operational plans, but he didn't change our strategic situation in the northern theatre," Caspit stated. He argued that a wider aerial assault would take place "to create the conditions to allow the residents of the Upper Galilee to return to their homes and to allow Israel to restore its sovereignty over swaths of its own territory".
Benny Gantz, a retired commander, former minister in Netanyahu's coalition, and one of his key challengers, criticized the bombings as "too little, too late."
During a visit to northern villages, he said in a video statement, "We must maintain the advantage of the initiative that was taken and increase the political and military pressure to push Hezbollah away, to return northern residents safely home."
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Netanyahu's far-right national security minister, was also critical.
“Israel must not be content with a single, pre-emptive sortie. We must bring a decisive war against Hezbollah that will remove the threat in the north and allow the residents to return home safely,” Ben-Gvir said.
He singled out Gallant for repercussions. The national security and defence ministers are embroiled in a bitter public feud over government policy, particularly the status of Jerusalem's sacred compound around the al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.
The internal divisions within Netanyahu's coalition have become increasingly apparent, with disagreements over both military strategy and religious policies threatening to undermine the government's stability. The public feud between key ministers not only weakens the government's ability to present a united front in dealing with external threats but also erodes public confidence in the leadership's decision-making process. This internal strife comes at a critical time when Israel faces multiple security challenges, raising concerns about the government's ability to effectively address these issues.
Ben-Gvir continued his push to overturn Israel's position on the site since it occupied East Jerusalem in 1967, which stated that only Muslims would be permitted to pray on the compound while Jews would pray at the Western Wall.
Ben-Gvir broke that regulation when he led Jewish services there last month and told army radio on Monday that Jews and Muslims had equal rights.
"The policies on the Temple Mount allow prayer, period," he replied. "There is a directive that there should be equal law between Jews and Muslims."
He went on to say that if it were up to him, there would be an Israeli flag and a synagogue on Temple Mount.
The controversy surrounding the Temple Mount/al-Aqsa compound has added another layer of complexity to Israel's already tense political landscape. Ben-Gvir's provocative statements and actions regarding the holy site have not only strained relations within the coalition but have also raised concerns about potential regional repercussions. Diplomatic sources have warned that changes to the status quo at the site could lead to increased tensions with neighboring Arab countries and potentially complicate Israel's efforts to normalize relations in the region.
The prime minister's office released a statement stating that there had been no change in the status quo on the site, while other coalition members chastised Ben-Gvir for his provocative speech, warning that it could spark a Palestinian rebellion and uproar in the Arab world.
"Undermining the status quo on the Temple Mount is an unnecessary and irresponsible act," he stated. "Ben-Gvir's actions endanger Israel."
Moshe Arbel, the ultra-orthodox Shas party's interior minister, called for Ben-Gvir's removal from command of the police, warning: "His lack of wisdom could cost lives."
