Defense Minister Gallant Tells Netanyahu: Israel Is Conducting a War Without a Compass, Needs New War Goals

Defense Minister Benny Gantz, while doubling down on calls for a ceasefire and the need to support a Palestinian state, openly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by saying that Israel is "conducting a war without a compass."

Gallant made it clear that he believes that Israel must produce new, more thoughtful, war goals and articulate a clear end game to the conflict--even if that means accepting a Palestinian state and supporting the two-state solution.

The critique by the defense minister comes at a time when Israel has been criticized internationally for its conduct during the recent 11-day conflict with Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of more than 250 Palestinians.

During the same period, 12 Israelis were killed by rockets fired by Hamas and other militant groups.

Although many Israelis believe that the conflict addressed the issue of Hamas' rocket attacks, Gallant's comments suggest that some Israeli leaders believe that the current strategy is not sustainable and will only lead to more bloodshed in the future.

Gallant's comments were made during a meeting of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, where he said that Israel must "define clear war goals" and must not allow Hamas to dictate the terms of the conflict.

He also said that Israel must "support a Palestinian state" and that the two-state solution is the only way to achieve a lasting peace.

"We must define clear war goals and not allow Hamas to dictate the terms of the conflict," Gallant said.

Gallant's comments were echoed by other members of the committee, including opposition leader Yair Lapid, who said that Israel needs to "change its strategy" in Gaza.

Lapid said that Israel's current approach of relying on military force is not working and that Israel needs to find a way to engage with Hamas politically.

Netanyahu has not yet responded to Gallant's comments, but he has previously said that he is committed to the two-state solution and that he believes that a Palestinian state is the only way to achieve a lasting peace.

However, Netanyahu has also said that he will not negotiate with Hamas and that he will continue to use military force to defend Israel from rocket attacks.