Barran Press
A retired Israeli general issued a stark warning on Thursday, August 22, claiming that Israel "will collapse within a year" if the ongoing attrition war against Hamas, which began last October, continues.
In an article published by Haaretz, translated into Arabic by Al-Hurra, retired General Yitzhak Brick launched scathing criticism of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing his early pronouncements during the war about the imminent defeat of Hamas and the killing of its leaders.
Brick argues that most of Gallant's "grandiose" statements throughout the Gaza conflict have proven baseless, a fact acknowledged by the Israeli minister, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the rest of the cabinet.
The article further highlights that Israel is sinking deeper into a "quagmire" in Gaza, losing more soldiers without any chance of achieving the war's primary objective: the overthrow of Hamas.
The Israeli author goes further, suggesting that his country is teetering on the brink due to escalating attacks in the West Bank and Israel itself. Meanwhile, reserve soldiers called up for duty are experiencing growing frustration.
Brick also contends that the country's economy is in dire straits, with Israel becoming an "outcast" facing economic boycotts and arms shipment bans.
He points out that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah are acutely aware of Israel's "deplorable" situation and are exploiting it.
The article continues, stating that "Sinwar understands that the attrition war is working in his favor and could potentially escalate into a regional conflict. Therefore, he prefers continued fighting over reaching an agreement."
Additionally, the author criticizes Netanyahu, accusing him of obstructing a ceasefire in Gaza and threatening to ignite the entire Middle East through his assassination policy.
Brick emphasizes that "all the paths chosen by the Israeli political and military leadership are leading the country down a slippery slope, potentially reaching a point of no return."
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli forces, with unwavering US support, have been waging a relentless war on the Gaza Strip. The conflict has resulted in over 133,000 Palestinian casualties, including a majority of women and children, and more than 10,000 missing persons. The devastation is immense, with a crippling famine gripping the besieged territory.