Former Israel general says 'severe epidemics' in Gaza would help Israel win the war

A retired senior Israeli general has said that Israel should not ‘shy away’ from permitting the outbreak of severe epidemics amongst Palestinians in southern Gaza as it will bring Israel ‘closer to victory.’

“The international community warns us of a humanitarian disaster in Gaza and of severe epidemics,” retired Major General Giora Eiland, the former head of Israel’s National Security Council, wrote Sunday.

“We must not shy away from this, as difficult as that may be. After all, severe epidemics in the south of the Gaza Strip will bring victory closer and reduce casualties among IDF soldiers.”

Eiland went on to say that the Israeli government must take a “harder line” against the US and rule out discussions about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza until all the hostages held in the besieged enclave are released.

The opinion article elicited an endorsement from far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said, “I agree with every word.”

Smotrich has been positioning for a seat on Israel’s three-member war cabinet made up of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and opposition politician Benny Gantz.