Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
A leaked internal document from the Israeli military has stirred political and military controversy, revealing that Operation “Chariots of Gideon” aimed at seizing control of Gaza City, has failed to meet its objectives. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the document’s existence but denied its conclusions, promising an investigation into the unauthorized leak.
The document, authored by Brigadier General Gary Hazut, head of training for Israel’s ground forces, reportedly offers a damning assessment of the Gaza campaign. According to Hazut, the operation has so far failed to achieve any of its stated goals, including the defeat of Hamas or the recovery of Israeli hostages.
Hazut’s internal assessment states that Israel shifted its operational objectives during the second phase of the offensive, moving from military defeat of Hamas to a strategy aimed at deterring the group and pressuring it into negotiations. This change in posture, he argues, was quickly understood by Hamas, which adapted its tactics accordingly.
The leaked memo further claims that Israel committed “every possible error” during the operation. It criticizes the mismatch between combat strategy and the IDF’s official military doctrine, and accuses commanders of underestimating Hamas’s capabilities and over-relying on outdated tactics. The document also notes that Israel failed to adequately plan for humanitarian needs, allowing Hamas to manipulate global opinion by projecting a narrative of famine in Gaza a narrative that, according to the memo, left Israel internationally isolated and delegitimized.
Progress on the ground, the document says, has been “slower than expected,” and has focused primarily on areas that the military had already swept earlier in the campaign. This led to a costly and exhausting repetition of combat, with no clear timeline for success and a growing burden on troops and resources.
In response to the leak, the Israeli army issued a statement condemning the unauthorized disclosure of classified content, emphasizing that it had not been approved for publication. The military insisted that the operation had achieved several key objectives, including striking Hamas infrastructure, pushing militant forces away from Israeli borders, and creating pressure to facilitate hostage negotiations.
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, during a recent visit to the Navy, reiterated that Israel is engaged in a “multi-front war by land, sea, and air.” He maintained that the army has delivered strong blows to Hamas, enhanced border security, and helped shape favorable conditions for the release of captives.
However, the leaked assessment has reignited speculation over internal divisions within Israel’s security establishment. According to media reports, Chief of Staff Halevi had previously opposed the launch of the second phase of the “Chariots of Gideon” operation, warning that the timing was inappropriate and could result in prolonged troop fatigue. His disagreement reportedly led to a confrontation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who pushed for escalation.
Some analysts suggest that Halevi’s reservations may have been motivated by a desire to distance himself from responsibility should the campaign ultimately be deemed a failure. The episode has raised questions about accountability, strategy, and political influence over military decisions.
As investigations into the leak continue, the internal rift underscores the broader challenges facing Israel’s military leadership in a conflict that has proven far more complex and costly than initially anticipated.
