Israel’s War Cabinet Grappled with Hezbollah Threat After October 7 Attacks
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Israel's War Cabinet Grappled with Hezbollah Threat After October 7 Attacks
- Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant advocated for an immediate, preemptive strike against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-opposition leader Benny Gantz formed an emergency unity government on October 11, 2023, to manage the unfolding conflict.
The aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel saw intense internal deliberations within Israel’s leadership regarding the nation’s response, particularly concerning the threat posed by Hezbollah in Lebanon. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reportedly pushed for a swift, preemptive strike against Hezbollah just days after the initial Hamas incursion, believing it would stun Israel’s enemies and reshape the war’s trajectory.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a coordinated land, sea, and air assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip, resulting in significant casualties and the abduction of hostages. In response, Israel declared a state of war and began mobilizing army reserves, eventually calling up over 350,000 reservists. Air strikes in the Gaza Strip commenced on October 7, with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to destroy Hamas’s capabilities.
Amidst the escalating conflict, a significant political development occurred on October 11, 2023. Prime Minister Netanyahu and centrist opposition leader Benny Gantz announced the formation of an emergency unity government to oversee the war with Hamas. This “war cabinet” was initially composed of Netanyahu, Gallant, and Gantz, with former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and Ron Dermer serving as observers. Gantz, a former IDF chief of staff and defense minister, had challenged Netanyahu for prime minister in the past. His decision to join the government underscored the severity of the crisis facing Israel.
On October 9, 2023, Defense Minister Gallant announced a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip, cutting off electricity, food, water, and fuel supplies. This blockade was later eased in late October after pressure from U.S. President Joe Biden, allowing some humanitarian aid to enter. The Israeli military launched a large-scale ground invasion of the Gaza Strip on October 27, 2023, with the stated goal of dismantling Hamas.