TEL AVIV – July 31, 2025
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has issued a rare and pointed criticism of the current government’s ongoing war in Gaza, calling for an immediate halt to what he described as a destructive and directionless military campaign.
In a recent interview with Spiegel International, Olmert condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict with Hamas, stating: “It’s enough. We have killed enough. We have destroyed enough.” His remarks come as civilian casualties continue to mount in Gaza, prompting renewed calls for a ceasefire and diplomatic solution.
Olmert, who led Israel from 2006 to 2009 and oversaw his own military operations during that time, emphasized that military force alone would not lead to lasting peace or security. He warned that the government’s current strategy risks isolating Israel further on the international stage and fueling long-term instability.
“What we’re seeing now is not defense,” Olmert said. “It’s destruction without direction. Without a political horizon, military action becomes a cycle of endless violence.”
The former prime minister also urged the Israeli leadership to engage in meaningful dialogue and to consider the broader humanitarian consequences of its decisions. His remarks have reignited debate within Israeli political circles, where frustration is growing over the prolonged conflict and its domestic and international fallout.
Netanyahu’s government has not publicly responded to Olmert’s statements, but officials have previously maintained that military operations in Gaza are necessary to dismantle Hamas infrastructure and protect Israeli citizens.
The war, which reignited in October 2023, has led to widespread devastation in Gaza, with hospitals overwhelmed, essential infrastructure damaged, and thousands of civilians killed or displaced. Despite international pressure, a comprehensive ceasefire or peace plan has yet to materialize.
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