TEL AVIV — Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has criticised Israel’s current military strategy, warning that key objectives being presented to the public are unlikely to be achieved through military action alone.
In an interview this week, Barak said there is “no practical way” to eliminate Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles through force, raising questions over Israel’s long-standing threats to neutralise Tehran’s nuclear programme militarily.
Barak also accused Israel’s leadership of overstating progress in ongoing conflicts, saying public messaging has failed to reflect realities on the ground. “Israelis are being lied to,” he said, citing the continued operational presence of Hamas despite prolonged military campaigns.
After more than two years of war rhetoric centred on victory, Hamas “is still there,” Barak said, pointing to a disconnect between official claims and battlefield outcomes. He made similar observations about Hezbollah and Iran, arguing that neither has been decisively weakened or neutralised.
The remarks highlight a growing debate within Israel over the direction and effectiveness of its military approach, as fighting with Hamas in Gaza and exchanges with Hezbollah along the northern border continue without a clear resolution.
Barak’s comments come amid broader uncertainty over Israel’s regional strategy, particularly toward Iran, after US President Donald Trump paused planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure for five days, according to reports.
Analysts say the former prime minister’s intervention reflects rising concern within Israel’s political and security establishment over whether military power alone can deliver the strategic outcomes being promised to the public.
