Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Lapid: Time to end Gaza operation

“There have been good results. There’s no benefit to waiting. We should stop now,” says Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid speaks at a protest outside the Knesset in Jerusalem against the government's judicial reform plan, Feb. 13, 2023. Photo by Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid speaks at a protest outside the Knesset in Jerusalem against the government’s judicial reform plan, Feb. 13, 2023. Photo by Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said on Thursday morning that Israel should unilaterally end its military operation against Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists in the Gaza Strip.

“I think it’s time to pack up, this is the time,” Lapid said in a radio interview. “You always need to be exact regarding when you exit, not just when you enter. There have been good results. There’s no benefit to waiting. We should stop now,” he added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday briefed Lapid on the goals and details of “Operation Shield and Arrow.”

In a show of unity, Lapid has extended his backing for the IDF operation.

“A firm Israeli response at a time and place that is good for us is the way to deal with terror from Gaza. We will back all operational activity to protect the residents of the south,” said Lapid on Tuesday.

On Wednesday night, Netanyahu said that Israeli forces were “fiercely attacking the Gaza Strip and exacting a heavy price from the terrorist organizations,” adding, “I would like to reiterate: Whoever harms us, whoever sends terrorists against us, will pay the price.”

The U.S. president warned that the U.S. military will begin targeting Iranian power plants and bridges on Tuesday if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened.
The event, which was attended by 70,000, comes just over two months after the rapper, also known as Kanye West, publishing an apology letter for antisemitic remarks.
The question follows a controversial ruling by the Israeli High Court of Justice instructing the military to permit an anti-war protest on Saturday night in larger numbers than wartime restrictions on public gathering allow.
Israel’s military says launches have struck inside or near peacekeeping posts.
Protesters outside the building were heard chanting “the Zionist embassy.”
“In our region, Israel alone protects our Christian community which is growing and prospering,” said the Israeli premier.