Israeli Defense Minister: Investigations into War-Related Mistakes Must Include Netanyahu

The Israeli Defense Minister called for a government investigation into the mistakes made regarding the Hamas attack on October 7, stating that the inquiry should include himself and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Yoav Gallant made these remarks on Thursday, July 21, during a graduation ceremony for new officers, which Netanyahu also attended. According to him, the government investigation 'must be objective and involve all decision-makers, including those in executive bodies, the government, the army, and security organizations.' The audience at the ceremony, which included families of the new officers, cheered Gallant, who added, 'The investigation should also include myself and the Prime Minister.' Netanyahu had previously rejected calls for a government investigation into the Hamas attack, postponing it until after the war. The extremist group Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. A commission of inquiry is formed only by a government decision, and its members are appointed by the Chief Justice of the country. This commission has extensive powers, and its findings are of high importance. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu called for maintaining control over key Gaza territory along the border with Egypt as part of any agreement to suspend the war with Hamas. In remarks after the return of Israeli negotiators who had gone to Qatar for talks, Netanyahu stated that Israel must control the corridor to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas through Egypt. The Washington Post reported that Israel and Hamas have agreed on a 'temporary government' plan for Gaza, under which neither side would govern the territory, and a force made up of supporters of the Palestinian Authority, trained by the U.S., would be responsible for security matters. Netanyahu's office also reported on his meeting with Brett McGurk, the U.S. President's special envoy for the Middle East, where Netanyahu emphasized his commitment to a proposed peace plan, provided it meets Israel's red lines. This comes as airstrikes and ground clashes intensified on Thursday, July 21, in the city of Gaza, located in the northern part of the strip. Israel had announced that its military operations in the eastern part of Gaza, one of the most intense in recent months, had concluded, and the Prime Minister stated earlier in July that 'the fierce war is coming to an end.' However, the French news agency reported that there are no signs of a decrease in tension in the city of Gaza and its surroundings. Hamas reported that over 300 homes and 100 shops and commercial units were destroyed during Israeli attacks in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood of eastern Gaza last week. The Israeli Defense Minister stated that '60 percent' of Hamas militants have been killed or wounded. According to eyewitnesses, the Israeli army entered other neighborhoods of Gaza after leaving Shuja'iyya. Hamas reported that Gaza and Rafah in the south of the strip were targeted by airstrikes 45 times. The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, announced that at least 50 more Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks over the past 24 hours. According to this agency's statistics, the death toll has reached approximately 38,345 over the nine months of the war. The Israeli army also warned the public on Wednesday that Gaza remains a dangerous war zone and urged them to leave the city through designated routes. United Nations agencies estimate that about 350,000 Palestinians have sought refuge in areas now designated as 'dangerous' by Israel. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated, 'The expulsion of these people, who have already been displaced multiple times and rely on vital assistance to survive, will exacerbate the suffering and plight of the Palestinian population in Gaza.'