Haniyeh Assassination and Israel-Iran Tension: Backlash against Netanyahu grows

The killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and the escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict have raised expectations of a major war in the Middle East, while criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is steadily increasing within Israel. As the potential war consequences of the Haniyeh assassination are debated in the Israeli media, it is noted that Netanyahu is being accused of "igniting an all-out regional war."

Former Deputy Head of the National Security Council and former Head of Policy Planning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eran Etzion, stated that Netanyahu is trying to drag Iran directly into the war, saying, "In the current context and timing, Israel cannot win a regional war. Under no circumstances. Israel is far more vulnerable than all of its enemies."

TWO-STAGE ATTACK PLAN 

Following the Haniyeh assassination, as reports spread that Iran and its allies would launch a comprehensive attack against Israel, flights to many countries in the region were canceled and Israel's attacks continued.

Israel's announcement that senior Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an airstrike in a suburb of Beirut has further heightened tensions. Iran's war cabinet and the leaders of Iranian-funded proxy forces met in Tehran to discuss how to retaliate against Israel.

It was reported that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has ordered a comprehensive attack on Israel and that a two-stage attack plan is being considered. Within the framework of the plan, it is stated that joint armed groups will first attack military targets in Israel, followed by a second wave of attacks from Hezbollah. US movements will also be closely monitored, and if the US provides active support to Israel, attacks could be developed against forces in Iraq and Syria.

INTERNAL BACKLASH AGAINST NETANYAHU

The Haniyeh assassination and subsequent developments are being widely debated in the Israeli media. Criticism that Prime Minister Netanyahu is dragging the country into war and triggering a regional conflict is growing. It has been alleged that Netanyahu is trying to draw Iran into the war by relying on the US, which puts the country in great danger. Among the criticisms, the views of former Israeli National Security Council Deputy Head Eran Etzion stand out. Etzion stated that Netanyahu has brought the country to the edge of a dangerous precipice and that Israel is more vulnerable than all its enemies in the current situation.

CLAIMS OF DISMISSING THE DEFENSE MINISTER 

Israel's Kaan 11 TV suggested that Netanyahu planned to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Gallant immediately after his return from the US, but delayed this plan due to the assassinations in Beirut and Tehran.

It was stated that Netanyahu is considering forming a new top security staff that will follow his orders and not object.