Netanyahu's Downfall begins with Hamas attack; 56% reject him

A recent survey reveals widespread dissatisfaction with his handling of the crisis, as a majority of participants express a lack of confidence in his cabinet's ability to manage the war. This article explores the poll results, highlighting the growing sentiment for Netanyahu's downfall and the potential implications it holds.

The outcome of the investigation is still uncertain at this early stage. However, the reports, which have been refuted by the Israeli cabinet, indicate that Israel may have disregarded multiple warnings from Egypt. The ex-chief of Israel Defense Forces Intelligence has accused Netanyahu's cabinet of redirecting forces away from protecting Israeli cities near Gaza to operations in the West Bank. This situation clearly highlights a significant intelligence lapse, and the IDF's response to the invasion was notably sluggish.

In his article for the Wall Street Journal, William Galston discusses the recent actions of Palestinian factions and the perceived setback for Israel. On September 22, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a self-assured speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Despite not having a peace agreement with the Palestinians, Israel managed to establish the Abraham Accords with the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.

These accords symbolize the emergence of a "new era of peace" in the Middle East, with the prospect of an agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu emphasized that the main concern regarding this agreement lies in the timing of its realization. He highlighted that once such an agreement is reached, it is highly probable that the Palestinians will relinquish their pursuit of Israel's destruction.

After a span of 15 days, Hamas carried out a surprise attack, resulting in the death of at least 1,000 Israelis and causing injuries to over 3,400 individuals. In response, the Saudis had the option to unequivocally denounce these actions.

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia released a statement referencing their repeated warnings regarding the potential dangers arising from the ongoing Israeli occupation and the denial of Palestinians' rightful rights. It also highlighted the repeated provocative actions by Israel against Muslim holy sites. Saudi Arabia's message to Netanyahu was clear: "Do not assume that we are willing to disregard the Palestinian issue in pursuit of normalizing relations with you. "

Israel has traditionally depended on deterrence and defense as its primary strategies. However, both approaches have proven ineffective, leaving Israel confronted with a fresh and challenging situation. In response, Israel has launched extensive airstrikes and imposed a comprehensive blockade on Gaza. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated, "Gaza will be left with nothing without access to electricity, food, and fuel. All avenues are closed."

This marks only the initial phase, and it appears that Netanyahu has made the decision to initiate a comprehensive ground offensive in Gaza. During a press conference on Monday, retired Israeli army general Noam Tibon expressed the view that "we should extend the conflict deep into Gaza. " He stressed the importance of holding Hamas accountable, stating that Israel is left with no alternative but to secure a "decisive triumph." While recognizing that the forthcoming assault might be brutal and potentially result in the execution of hostages held by Hamas, he argued that these grave outcomes should not hinder the operation.

Presently, it is not appropriate to assign blame to any specific party, but there will be a time for that in the future. Following the conclusion of the operations in Gaza, it is probable that a commission of inquiry will be established, similar to the investigations conducted after the Yom Kippur war fifty years ago. It is premature to determine the findings of the investigation, but there are reports suggesting that Netanyahu's cabinet disregarded repeated warnings from the Egyptian government.

The ex-intelligence chief of the Israel Defense Forces has leveled accusations against Netanyahu's cabinet, claiming that they redirected forces from protecting Israeli cities near Gaza to operations in the West Bank. This diversion indicates a significant failure in Israeli intelligence, and the response of the IDF to the invasion was notably sluggish.

Wars have a transformative impact on nations. Netanyahu has consistently portrayed himself as a leader capable of ensuring Israel's security. However, recent events have eroded this assertion. I anticipate that his political career will likely come to an end following the conclusion of the war, potentially heralding significant changes within Israel.

Further substantiating this notion are the findings of a recent survey conducted in Israel, revealing that over half of the respondents expressed a desire for the removal of the Israeli prime minister, considering the setback in the Al-Aqsa storm conflict to be more significant than the defeat in the October war.

According to the poll results, a staggering 84 percent of Israeli residents believe that the "Operation Al-Aqsa Storm" was, in fact, a failure on the part of Israel's political leaders.

Additionally, the survey revealed that a significant majority of the participants, 94 percent to be precise, held Netanyahu's cabinet accountable for the breakdown of the defense infrastructure safeguarding Gaza. Furthermore, 67 percent of the respondents expressed the view that the humiliating defeat in the recent attack surpassed the magnitude of the loss suffered in the October 6, 1973 war.

The survey outcomes indicate that 59% of the participants lacked confidence in Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet to effectively handle the ongoing war. Additionally, 52% of the respondents expressed a desire for the removal of Israel's Minister of War, Yoav Gallant, while 56% called for Netanyahu's dismissal.

The Operation Al-Aqsa Storm was initiated by Palestinian groups on October 7, marked by the launch of numerous rockets towards settlements in the Gaza Strip. Simultaneously, they carried out an unprecedented infiltration into Israel.