In the aftermath of the reported Hamas attack in Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is facing mounting criticism from former military officers and politicians over their handling of the conflict. The debate within the country centres around the government’s heavy-handed response to the crisis and has sparked questions over why Hamas was able to conduct the attacks in the way that it did.

Israel’s military and espionage services are considered among the world’s best, but Israeli leaders have publicly acknowledged that they were surprised by the attack. They have also brushed away questions about intelligence failures. It also emerged that Israel was warned by Egypt of an attack three days before Hamas’ cross-border raid.

Despite this, the raid was still able to go ahead, leading to a decline in public opinion toward Netanyahu’s government.

A survey conducted by the academic research organisation, Lazar Institute revealed that nearly 80% of Israelis hold Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for the failure to prevent the Hamas attack. Only 8% of those surveyed did not attribute blame to Netanyahu, indicating a widespread sentiment of dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the situation.

Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak described the attack as “the most severe blow Israel has suffered since its establishment,” expressing doubt about Netanyahu’s leadership during this critical moment. He noted that public trust in Netanyahu’s ability to lead has waned, given the devastating event that occurred under his term.

Other prominent figures have also weighed in on the issue. A former chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces called for Netanyahu’s resignation, while a former intelligence official described the government as “dysfunctional.” 

The survey results, along with the criticisms from former leaders and military officials, underscore the growing dissatisfaction with the government’s response to the recent crisis. As the conflict in Gaza continues, the pressure on Israeli leadership to address these concerns and reevaluate their strategies remains.

Calls for Netanyahu’s resignation and concerns about the government’s functionality persist, with many questioning the future of leadership in Israel as the country grapples with the aftermath of the recent attacks. The government’s response to the crisis and its handling of the security failures remain subjects of intense scrutiny and debate.