Retired Israeli Major General Yitzhak Brik has warned that Israel could face collapse within a year if the ongoing conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah continues unabated.
In an editorial for the Israeli daily Haaretz, Brik expressed deep concern, stating, “The nation is truly galloping towards the edge of an abyss.”
Since the Hamas attack on October 7, Israel has launched a severe military offensive in the Gaza Strip, resulting in approximately 40,300 deaths, predominantly women and children, and injuring over 93,100 individuals. The violence has also triggered fears of a broader conflict with Hezbollah, leading to prolonged cross-border skirmishes.
Brik criticized Israeli officials for their optimistic claims that Hamas would soon surrender and that its leader, Yahya Sinwar, would be captured. He specifically challenged Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s assurances, suggesting that these promises have proven unfounded.
Brik accused Gallant, along with IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of misleading the Israeli public with unrealistic declarations.
According to Brik, Gallant has come to recognize that the idea of achieving a total victory in Gaza is increasingly implausible. He warned that failing to secure a hostage deal with Hamas could escalate into a regional war that might severely threaten Israel’s stability.
Efforts by the US, Qatar, and Egypt to mediate a cease-fire and facilitate a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas have stalled due to Netanyahu’s refusal to meet Hamas’s demands.
Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies exacerbated by Israel’s blockade.
The International Court of Justice has called for a halt to military operations in Rafah, where over a million Palestinians are seeking refuge, as investigations into allegations of genocide against Israel continue.
