“If the war of attrition against Hamas and Hezbollah continues, Israel could collapse within a year.”
Retired Israeli General Yitzhak Brik Warns of Potential Collapse Within a Year if Conflict Continues
Jerusalem, August 23, 2024: Retired Israeli Major General Yitzhak Brik issued a stark warning on Thursday, suggesting that Israel could face a catastrophic collapse within a year if its ongoing conflict with the Palestinian group Hamas and the Lebanese movement Hezbollah persists. In a critical opinion piece published by the Israeli daily Haaretz, Brik described the current situation as a “galloping” crisis pushing the country towards the brink of disaster.
Brik’s warning highlights the severe ramifications of the prolonged war of attrition against Hamas and Hezbollah. He emphasized that “if the war of attrition against Hamas and Hezbollah continues, Israel will collapse within no more than a year.” This dire forecast underscores the escalating nature of the conflict and the growing concerns over Israel’s stability.
Since the onset of a major offensive on the Gaza Strip following a Hamas attack on October 7, Israel has been engaged in intense military action. The ongoing assault has resulted in a staggering death toll of nearly 40,300 people, primarily women and children, with over 93,100 others injured. The relentless bombardment has not only led to substantial casualties but has also precipitated a series of cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel, raising fears of a full-scale regional war.
Brik expressed skepticism regarding the optimistic claims made by Israeli officials, particularly regarding the supposed imminent surrender of Hamas and the anticipated capture of its leader, Yahya Sinwar. He criticized Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s statements as “groundless” and suggested that these declarations, along with those of IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were intended to mislead the Israeli public.
The retired general pointed out that Gallant’s rhetoric about achieving a “total victory” in Gaza now appears to be unrealistic. Brik noted that the failure to secure a hostage deal with Hamas could escalate the conflict into a broader regional war, posing a significant threat to Israel’s security. He further mentioned that the prospects of negotiating a hostage swap deal with Hamas have diminished, primarily due to new conditions introduced by Netanyahu that have complicated the cease-fire negotiations.
Efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to broker a cease-fire and facilitate a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas have stalled. These mediation attempts aimed to ensure humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza and alleviate the dire conditions in the region. However, Netanyahu’s refusal to meet Hamas’s demands and halt the military offensive has hampered progress, leaving the situation unresolved.
The relentless Israeli military campaign in Gaza has continued despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire. The blockade imposed on Gaza has led to severe shortages of essential supplies such as food, clean water, and medicine, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Moreover, Israel faces serious allegations of genocide at the International Court of Justice. The court has ordered a halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6. The international community’s scrutiny and the legal challenges underscore the gravity of the situation and the need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
In summary, Brik’s warnings reflect the intense and deteriorating nature of the conflict, raising concerns about Israel’s future stability and the broader implications of continued hostilities. The international community remains engaged in efforts to mediate and resolve the crisis, but the path to peace appears fraught with significant challenges.