Israeli General Says Gaza Should Remain ‘Destroyed for Generations’
Retired Israeli Major General Giora Eiland, a former head of Israel’s National Security Council, has argued that Gaza should remain devastated for generations, saying reconstruction would not serve Israel’s interests.
Speaking to Israeli radio station 103FM, Eiland said greater destruction and despair in Gaza would benefit Israel by creating a lasting reminder of the October 7 attacks.
Eiland also called for Israel to retain the territory beyond the Yellow Line, which marks areas under Israeli military control inside Gaza. He described the area as a necessary security buffer and argued that Israel should not give it up.
His comments came as he criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of relations with US President Donald Trump. Eiland opposed Netanyahu’s rejection of Trump’s Gaza proposal outright and instead urged him to accept it conditionally while protecting Israel’s core demands.
Eiland said Israel could temporarily suspend some military operations as a concession to Washington but should maintain control of the Yellow Line.
His remarks have added to the debate over Gaza’s future, reconstruction and the extent of Israeli military control following the devastating war and continuing humanitarian crisis.
