JAKARTA - The head of the opposition party Yisel Beiteinu, Avigdor Lieberman, sharply criticized Benjamin Netanyahu by accusing him of bringing "political collapse" and prioritizing the continuity of the coalition over Israel's security.
"We are in political destruction; we have never been isolated like this. There is no war management, there is only the continuity of the coalition," Lieberman told Israeli public broadcasting institutions, as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, September 4.
Lieberman criticized the government's lack of involvement in negotiations with the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.
"What bothered me was that there were initiatives from Egypt, Qatar, and the US, but I saw no proposal from Israel. The problem with this government is that political considerations are always more important than security considerations," he said.
On August 18, Hamas approved a mediator-backed proposal for a partial ceasefire and prisoner swap in Gaza, but Israel has not responded, although the terms are in line with previous bids made by US envoy Steve Witkoff, which Tel Aviv has received.
Instead, Netanyahu preferred to occupy Gaza City on the pretext of releasing prisoners and defeating Hamas, a move much in doubt by opponents and former officials, while the Israeli military itself warned the operation poses a serious risk to the lives of the prisoners.
Israeli troops have launched brutal military attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing more than 63,700 Palestinians. The military campaign has devastated the enclave which is now facing a hunger disaster.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and former defense chief Yoav Gallant for crimes of war and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel is also facing genocide cases at the International Court over its war in the enclave.
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