Netanyahu confidant calls for end to war in Gaza

The former director of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and one of his confidants has called for an immediate end to the war in the Gaza Strip, saying that it does not serve any military or security purpose for Israel. Natan Eshel made his comment in a WhatsApp message to close friends which was circulated by Israeli media on Tuesday.

“There is no point continuing the fighting in Gaza, and so it must be stopped immediately,” said Eshel. He called instead for a siege to be imposed on the Palestinian territory. “It is unfortunate that we are losing more soldiers, or that they will have amputated limbs or lost eyes, in addition to the thousands who have already paid the price and will pay an additional price as a result of continuing the unnecessary fighting in Gaza.”

He pointed out that the war in Gaza isn’t bringing back the hostages, nor is it achieving military or security gains. “In my view, it must be stopped immediately. Since the Strip is under siege, the only solution is to impose a comprehensive blockade.”

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The blockade that he proposed includes “not allowing aid or food into the Gaza Strip. At the same time, an organised and supervised exit [of Palestinians] to areas that Israel can verify will be allowed for anyone who wants to live. As for those who do not want to live, and refuse to leave in an organised and supervised manner, they will either die by [Israel Defence Forces bullets], or from hunger.” He noted that this way is the “only one that brought down Jerusalem, Masada and all wars in history.”

Eshel also accused the administration of US President Joe Biden, whose term is ending in less than two weeks, of not wanting to settle the war in Gaza once and for all, but rather sought to maintain it so as to “manoeuvre” Israel.

“We can prepare and announce from now that this [the siege] is what Israel will do in two weeks, when the Donald Trump administration enters the White House. This is good for Israel, and it is also good for the residents of Gaza who are not involved and who want to live.”

Eshel is still involved unofficially in power issues in Israel, given his closeness to Netanyahu. He played a role in putting pressure on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to apologise to the prime minister. After Ben-Gvir apologised last Saturday evening for forcing Netanyahu to leave the hospital to support a budget bill, Eshel sent a message to Ben-Gvir, saying, “I am glad you finally listened to my advice and apologised. Have a nice week.”

However, the message was apparently sent by “mistake” to Ynet reporter Itamar Eichner instead of to Itamar Ben-Gvir, exposing Eshel’s role and involvement in coalition issues.

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