Ex-Israeli Military Chief: Netanyahu Is a Threat to National Security and Should Be Subdued or Captured
Dan Halutz calls for subduing or capturing Netanyahu as public criticism grows over ceasefire violations and Gaza war policies.
Watan-Former Israeli Chief of Staff Dan Halutz described Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “an enemy who poses a direct threat to Israel’s security and should be subdued or captured.” The statement sparked a fierce backlash from Netanyahu’s Likud party, which called it a dangerous incitement that encourages far-left calls for his assassination.
Speaking to Israel’s Channel 12 on Sunday, Halutz said: “There is an enemy who poses a direct threat to the security of Israel, and his name is Benjamin Netanyahu.”
When the interviewer asked, “Don’t you think you’re using overly harsh language? I mean, an enemy is someone you eliminate,” Halutz responded: “No, no. An enemy should be subdued — not eliminated — or captured.”
Likud Slams Ex-Army Chief Over Netanyahu Comments as “Dangerous Incitement”
The Likud party responded angrily and dismissively, accusing Halutz of incitement. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Likud said: “Halutz, the most failed chief of staff in the history of the Israeli army, calls the prime minister an enemy who should be captured.”
It added: “This is not freedom of speech. This is dangerous incitement against democracy and encourages far-left calls to assassinate the prime minister.”
The party further stated: “Halutz doesn’t represent the Israeli army, the public, or the values of democracy. He represents a handful of chaotic, overweight, and irrelevant retirees who are taking orders from the enemy.”
Meanwhile, criticism is mounting against Netanyahu’s policies and his breach of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza, which has endangered the lives of Israeli captives held in the Strip.
Also on Sunday, former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon warned that the captives in Gaza would not return if Netanyahu continues to violate the ceasefire reached with Hamas in January.
This comes after Hamas announced on Saturday that its negotiating delegation, headed by Khalil al-Hayya, traveled to Cairo for meetings with Egyptian and Qatari mediators as part of ongoing efforts to reach a deal and halt Israeli aggression on Gaza.
Hamas Reaffirms Commitment to Ceasefire Deal as Israel Resumes War on Gaza
In January 2025, Egypt, with the support of Qatar and the United States, succeeded in brokering a phased ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. However, Israel violated the deal and unilaterally resumed the war in March.
Netanyahu, who is wanted by international justice, backed away from implementing the second phase of the agreement and resumed the genocide in Gaza on March 18, under pressure from the most extreme faction of his far-right government, according to Israeli media.
With unconditional U.S. backing, Israel has committed acts of genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in around 167,000 Palestinians killed and injured, most of them women and children, and more than 11,000 missing.
