Netanyahu stymied by attorney general in push for large-scale Gaza operation, reports say

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit stopped Netanyahu by saying that the move was ”illegal without the Security Cabinet’s approval,” according to the reports.

By World Israel News Staff 

Last Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that a war between Israel and Hamas could happen at any moment. According to reports, he was ready to back up those words with serious actions.

Surrounded by senior officials that included IDF senior brass, members of Israel’s internal security service, the Shin Bet, and high-ranking Mossad staff, the prime minister announced his intention to take drastic measures against the terrorist group.

However, according to reports, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit stopped Netanyahu from doing so because ”such a harsh response required the consent of the Security Cabinet.”

Mandelbit’s ruling was based on a 2018 amendment to the Israeli Basic Law on Government. According to the amendment, any large military move that’s almost certain to lead to war requires the approval of the Security Cabinet.

The need to obtain Security Cabinet approval came in response to the way certain military actions were carried out during the 2014 Gazan War. Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror was the driving force behind the amendment to give the Security Cabinet greater decision-making powers.

Reports say Netanyahu opposed the new requirement, arguing that the prime minister in consultation with the defense minister should have the ability to make decisions without Security Cabinet approval in cases where a fast response time was required.

Instead of launching a large military campaign, Israel responded to the rocket attacks by striking 15 strategic strongholds of the terrorist group.

According to an IDF spokesman, one of the targets hit was an underground attack tunnel that Hamas used to perpetrate attacks against Israeli’s living in the southern region of the country.

Netanyahu’s desire to launch a widescale attack against Hamas came after he was rushed off the stage during a political event in Ashdod on September 10 when the rocket alert sirens sounded. 

Thankfully, no one was hurt because the Iron Dome defense system intercepted the rocket launched from Gaza.

Avichai MandelblitBenjamin Netanyahu