Zionist analyst: Israel's war machine is exhausted and directionless

Avi Ashkenazi, a military analyst for Maariv newspaper, stated that the army is currently in a very difficult phase. It is deployed in certain areas and has entered defensive battles. In every visit to the units, stories emerge about problems, exhaustion, fatigue, and the growing realization that there is practically no proper management or planning behind this campaign.

Maariv, citing Ashkenazi, wrote that the best example of this lack of planning was the ridiculous spectacle surrounding the so-called "humanitarian city" that was supposed to be built on the ruins of Rafah. This was merely a political ploy to confuse public opinion within Israeli society and to pressure Hamas.

He added that the Chief of Staff and the military command opposed this plan because they knew its implementation would require at least six months of preparation and construction, and thousands of soldiers would be needed to secure it. The army also knew that this would mean opening a new front of defensive warfare and enforcing martial law in southern Gaza.

Ashkenazi emphasized that in all combat brigades, both soldiers and commanders are speaking of exhaustion. They say their units are now being run on the edge, with commanders forced to ignore past mistakes — which cannot be overlooked — while at the same time being asked to instill more Zionist ideology and morale into the troops. Yet everyone knows this is a temporary, incomplete, and ineffective measure.

He pointed out that the political leadership must realize that after 653 days of war without any decisive result, the Zionist regime is not even close to victory. Therefore, it is time to abandon deception and begin real negotiations to bring this chapter to an end.