Hamas triumphs in Gaza war, Israel fails to achieve its goals: Ex-Israeli general

Palestinian group Hamas has emerged victorious in the Gaza war, successfully preventing Israel from achieving its objectives, according to Giora Eiland, the former head of the Israeli National Security Council.

“This war was a disastrous Israeli failure in Gaza,” Eiland, a retired general, told Israeli Maariv newspaper.

“This war was a failure for a very simple reason that Hamas did not only succeed in preventing Israel from achieving its goals, but also remained in power,” he stated.

The cease-fire and prisoner exchange agreement took effect at 11:15 a.m. local time (0915 GMT) on Sunday, following a few hours’ delay due to Israeli accusations that Hamas had delayed the release of a list of captives. It was initially scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. local time.

Eiland, who served as head of the National Security Council from 2004 to 2006, noted that the cease-fire deal does not prevent Hamas from rearming. “If Hamas moves against Israel, it will be violating the agreement,” he stated.

Mastermind behind Generals’ Plan

Eiland is known for developing the controversial Generals’ Plan, which proposes imposing a blockade on northern Gaza and forcibly displacing Palestinians as part of Israel’s ongoing military operations.

Since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023, nearly 47,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 110,700 others have been injured, according to local health authorities.

The conflict has caused widespread destruction, leaving more than 11,000 people missing and creating a severe humanitarian crisis.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.