Eisenkot Vows to Overthrow Hamas Within 18 Months of Taking Office

Eisenkot Pledges to Dismantle Hamas Within 18 Months

Speaking near the Gaza border, Chairman of the "Yashar!" party Gadi Eisenkot vowed to dismantle Hamas rule within 18 months if elected prime minister. His statement drew a parallel to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 2009 promise in Ashkelon as opposition leader to overthrow Hamas. The Likud party fired back, questioning how Eisenkot intends to defeat Hamas without relying on partners like Mansour Abbas and Ahmad Tibi.

"I commit: within 18 months of entering the Prime Minister's Office, Hamas will no longer rule the Gaza Strip," Eisenkot declared. "We will bring about the destruction of Hamas's military wing. This will happen either through action based on the framework presented by President Donald Trump and accepted by Netanyahu's government, or through the deployment of decisive military and operational capabilities."

Eisenkot criticized Netanyahu, asserting that as long as he remains in office, Hamas will stay in power. He accused the prime minister of failing strategically despite unprecedented public and international backing, noting that three years after the October 7 massacre, Hamas remains armed and in control of Gaza.

Remembering the Fallen and Criticizing Government Policy

Reflecting on the ongoing war in Gaza, Eisenkot spoke near the Gaza envelope communities, noting the heavy toll paid since the start of the "Iron Swords" operation. He mentioned the loss of his son Gal in Jabalia in December 2023, alongside two nephews and nearly a thousand IDF soldiers.

"This was a righteous war whose declared goal was the destruction of the military and political power of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The return of hostages abducted under the government of failure was not even among the war's original objectives," Eisenkot stated.