Former Israeli PM warns of army strain and leadership failures

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has delivered sharp criticism of the government’s handling of the ongoing war, describing it as based on a “grand illusion” and warning that Hezbollah cannot be eliminated militarily.

In remarks reported by Israeli Channel 13, Barak said the management of the war from the outset was fundamentally flawed, adding that expectations of a decisive military outcome were unrealistic.

He pointed to warnings presented by Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who reportedly outlined “ten red lines” to the cabinet indicating risks that could lead to the army’s collapse from within. Barak criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to respond adequately to these concerns.

Barak also accused the government of misplaced priorities, saying cabinet discussions were focused on issues unrelated to the war, while key challenges — including strain on reserve forces, the situation of residents in the north, and economic impacts on businesses — were not being properly addressed.

He stressed that there is no immediate solution to manpower shortages, noting that efforts such as the conscription of ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) communities would take time to have any effect, and that the government had failed to prepare adequately in advance, including fortifying northern areas.

According to Barak, the government is misleading the public about the progress and objectives of the war, both internally and externally, contributing to repeated strategic miscalculations, particularly in relation to Iran.

He added that while the military continues to carry out operations, political leadership has failed to achieve tangible results, stating that key actors — including Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran — remain in place.

Barak reiterated that Hezbollah cannot be defeated through military means alone and argued that a political settlement is the only viable path forward. He also dismissed the possibility of overthrowing the Iranian regime or achieving decisive victory through escalation.

Concluding his remarks, Barak suggested that the government is not actively seeking to end the war, arguing that doing so could trigger accountability for the events of 7^th October. He called for greater scrutiny of government decisions and cautioned against accepting official narratives without question.