Public statements or interviews with Israeli officials

Ex-Defense Minister Ya'alon Accuses Israel of War Crimes and Ethnic Cleansing in Gaza

Dec 1, 2024, 06:08 AM

Former Israeli Defense Minister and ex-IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon has accused Israel of carrying out ethnic cleansing and war crimes in northern Gaza during its military operations against Hamas. In multiple interviews, Ya'alon claimed that areas such as Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun no longer exist, and that Israel is effectively clearing the area of Arabs to establish Jewish settlements. He warned that Israeli soldiers and commanders could face lawsuits at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Ya'alon has refused to retract his statements despite criticism from current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other officials, who called his remarks false and harmful to Israel's image. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir condemned Ya'alon's statements, while indicating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is open to encouraging Palestinian migration from Gaza. The accusations have sparked controversy and intense debate within Israel about the conduct of its military operations and the government's policies towards the Palestinian population.