Likud against Lieberman: "He is knowingly lying and harming the country's security"

The Likud party published today, Wednesday, a sharp response to the statements of Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman, after he presented a series of claims regarding Israel's conduct in the Gaza Strip. The party accused Lieberman of "knowingly lying, harming the security of the State of Israel, and exposing his ignorance in operational military aspects," and rejected one by one his claims regarding agreements with Hamas, the deployment of IDF forces, the rules of engagement, and American involvement in the south.

The confrontation began after Lieberman visited the Gaza envelope and claimed that he possesses information that, according to him, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hiding from the public and cabinet members. Among other things, he claimed that about 50 Nukhba terrorists practiced a raid on an Israeli community and that IDF commanders requested to neutralize them, but the political echelon prevented it. Lieberman also claimed that the IDF has effectively withdrawn from the area between the line of outposts and the yellow line, and that American involvement limits Israel's freedom of action.

In response to the remarks, Likud stated: "Avigdor Lieberman is knowingly lying, harming the security of the State of Israel, and exposing his ignorance in operational military aspects. Here are the facts that refute Lieberman's entire false picture." Likud divided the response into four main topics, presenting in each of them a version opposite to the one presented by the Yisrael Beiteinu chairman.

Agreements with Hamas

Lieberman claimed that Netanyahu approved an agreement between the Peace Council CEO Nikolai Mladenov and Hamas, according to which the Peace Council would transfer 400 million dollars to suppliers and service providers in accordance with Hamas lists. According to him, there is also an agreement according to which about 40% of the money — 160 million dollars — will be returned in cash to the military wing of Hamas.

Likud rejected the claim categorically: "The claim that the Prime Minister allegedly approved agreements between the Peace Council CEO and Hamas is a lie. This was even denied by the Peace Council CEO. This is further evidence of Lieberman's level of credibility." According to Likud's version, Netanyahu did not approve the agreement that Lieberman attributes to him.

IDF Deployment

Another dispute between the parties concerns the deployment of the IDF in the Strip. Lieberman claimed that despite the government's statements, the IDF's withdrawal has already been completed in practice. According to him, the forces withdrew to the line of outposts, which he called the "purple line," and that in the area between it and the concrete blocks marking the yellow line, no soldiers remained. According to him, the decision not to remove the yellow concrete blocks is a "smoke screen for political needs."

Likud denies this and claims that no withdrawal from the yellow line took place and no change occurred in the deployment of forces in the Strip: "The IDF did not withdraw from the yellow line and no change was made in the deployment of IDF forces in the Strip. As Prime Minister Netanyahu said — the IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed in the entire Strip. The IDF will remain responsible for Israel's security and will operate in all areas of the Strip as required." This position is consistent with Netanyahu's statement from August 9, in which he said that Israel rejects the 15-point document and that the IDF will not carry out further withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed.

Rules of Engagement

One of the most serious claims raised by Lieberman concerns an incident that, according to him, occurred this week. Lieberman claimed that IDF forces identified about 50 terrorists from the Hamas Nukhba force who held a training session in which they practiced a raid and conquest of an Israeli community. According to him, IDF commanders requested to carry out an immediate neutralization of the terrorists, but received an order from the political echelon not to act: "You don't touch anyone, you don't even fire a single firecracker." According to him, this is a "surrender to terror."

Likud rejected the claim that the political echelon tied the hands of the IDF. "Contrary to Lieberman's claim, the political echelon explicitly instructed the IDF to neutralize any threat to our forces," the party stated. Likud pointed to the IDF Spokesperson's announcement from August 10: "The rules of engagement allow fighters to neutralize any immediate threat to the forces and there is no change in them." Likud further claimed that these guidelines were implemented on the ground, and cited as examples the neutralization of a Hamas sniper and the neutralization of a terrorist in Beit Lahia.

American Presence

Another focus of the confrontation is the American presence in the south and the cooperation between the IDF and the US military. Lieberman visited the new American base built near Kerem Shalom, and claimed that the increasing American involvement shows that Israel is losing part of its independence in making security decisions. According to him, the situation has reached the point where "to move a pin, you must have American approval."

Likud also rejected this claim: "The visit of the CENTCOM commander to the American base in the south where American forces are stationed reflects full and deep cooperation between the IDF and the US military," was stated in response. From Likud's perspective, therefore, the presence and coordination with the American military are not evidence of limiting Israel's freedom of action — but an expression of the strategic partnership between the countries.