Ex-Minister Yaalon Accuses Israel of Gaza Ethnic Cleansing

Former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon accused the Israeli army of committing “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza, leading to significant backlash within the country. Speaking on DemocratTV, Yaalon described Israel’s actions in Gaza as a path to conquest, annexation, and ethnic cleansing. He pointed to the destruction of towns like Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun and the army’s operations in Jabalia, suggesting the area is being cleared of Arabs.

Since October 6, the northern Gaza Strip has been targeted by an Israeli offensive aimed at weakening Hamas. Yaalon, who served as Israel’s defense minister and head of the army before resigning in 2016 due to differences with Prime Minister Netanyahu, faced immediate criticism for his remarks. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir labeled Yaalon’s statement as shameful, while Netanyahu’s Likud party dismissed it as dishonest, accusing Yaalon of supporting Israel’s enemies.

The ongoing conflict, which began with Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, has led to significant casualties, with over 44,000 people reported dead in Gaza. A UN committee has recently characterized Israel’s actions as genocide, a claim Israel rejects as anti-Israel propaganda.