Netanyahu told to ‘quit now’ as ex-leaders pin blame on dysfunctional government

Former military officers and politicians say prime minister bears responsibility for the failures that led to the Hamas incursion

Former Israeli military, political and intelligence officials have expressed doubts over the leadership of prime minister as debate rages inside the country about the response to the Hamas attacks on 7 October that killed 1,400 Israelis.

Former prime minister Ehud Barak described the terrorist attack as “the most severe blow Israel has suffered since its establishment to date”. “I don’t believe that the people trust Netanyahu to lead when he is under the burden of such a devastating event that just happened under his term,” he told the Observer.