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🇮🇱 Israel /Conflict & Security

IDF general: Israel winning militarily but Gaza war length is a failure; internal threats loom largest

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Context piece
  • An Israeli general claims Israel has militarily defeated Hamas and Hezbollah but calls the Gaza war's length a failure.
  • He warns the primary threat is not external but internal: smuggled weapons, crime, and an armed Palestinian Authority.
  • The general criticizes the IDF's defense technology procurement and advocates for AI-driven drones.

Brig.-Gen. (res.) Erez Winner, former head of operational planning for the IDF's Southern Command, asserted that Israel has achieved military victories against Hamas and Hezbollah. However, he sharply criticized the prolonged duration of the Gaza war as a significant military failure, attributing blame to both former and current chiefs of staff.

We fought Hamas and fed Hamas at the same time

— Brig.-Gen. (res.) Erez WinnerDescribing the perceived strategic missteps during the Gaza conflict.

Winner highlighted that Israel's deterrence is evident in Iran's missile targeting choices, which have avoided Israel. Yet, his greatest concern lies not with external adversaries like Iran, Lebanon, or Gaza. Instead, he pointed to internal threats: the proliferation of illegal weapons within Israel, the rise of crime organizations in Arab society, and a potentially hostile armed Palestinian Authority in Judea and Samaria.

Drawing on historical research, Winner argued that Israel failed to meet the conditions for victory in Gaza, control of resources, territory, and population. He criticized the IDF's approach, stating that in 2024, Israel fought Hamas while simultaneously "feeding" it, and that the army neglected the civilian population. Winner also voiced concerns about the IDF's defense technology acquisition, describing it as "unprofessional professionalism" driven by manufacturers rather than deep military expertise due to short rotations in senior positions.

Not dealing with the population.

— Brig.-Gen. (res.) Erez WinnerIdentifying the repeated mistake Israel makes in Gaza.

Looking ahead, Winner advocated for a shift towards mass-produced, expendable drones integrated with AI, capable of rapid target identification and engagement, rather than expensive fighter jets. He identified this drone technology as the single most critical investment for Israel's immediate future.

unprofessional professionalism

— Brig.-Gen. (res.) Erez WinnerCriticizing the IDF's approach to defense technology procurement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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