Israel Faces War Crimes Allegations from Former Defense Minister

n a rare and striking critique, former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon has accused Israel of committing war crimes and engaging in ethnic cleansing in Gaza. His comments, reported by The New York Times on Sunday, have ignited controversy amid the ongoing conflict.

Yaalon, who served as the military's chief of staff during the second intifada and defense minister during the 2014 Gaza war, broke ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2016. Since then, he has become a prominent critic of Netanyahu’s policies. Speaking at an event on Saturday, Yaalon condemned the government’s actions in Gaza, claiming they aim to "occupy, annex, and ethnically cleanse the territory."

Reactions to Yaalon’s Allegations

• Government Allies: Netanyahu’s supporters swiftly rejected Yaalon’s accusations, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
• International Backdrop: These allegations come at a time of heightened global scrutiny over Israel's military actions in Gaza, with increasing calls for accountability from international organizations and governments.

Yaalon’s statements have added to the growing debate on Israel’s military conduct, further intensifying both domestic and international pressure on Netanyahu's administration.