Netanyahu Aborted Lieberman Plans to Assassinate Hamas Chief

Israeli former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman. (Reuters)
Israeli former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman. (Reuters)
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Netanyahu Aborted Lieberman Plans to Assassinate Hamas Chief

Israeli former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman. (Reuters)
Israeli former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman. (Reuters)

Former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman revealed on Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had repeatedly prevented him from executing plans he had prepared to assassinate Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh.

His statements during an electoral meeting were in response to repeated harsh criticism by Netanyahu in which he said Lieberman “doesn’t match words with deeds.”

Netanyahu revealed that Lieberman had repeatedly addressed the possibility of assassinating Haniyeh, but he never acted on his words when he assumed the defense portfolio.

“I’ve decided to tackle this subject for the first time today and put an end to the series of lies,” Lieberman said during a meeting with a group of Russian-Jewish activists from his party.

“I have submitted an integrated plan several times to the Cabinet to assassinate Haniyeh, and every time Netanyahu volunteered to abort it.”

“I proposed assassinating Haniyeh before 2015 elections and promised the public to carry out the assassination two days after taking office as defense minister,” Lieberman added.

“When I took office in 2017, I submitted a very clear and integrated plan that couldn’t be interpreted differently to assassinate Haniyeh and other officials, but Netanyahu aborted it,” he continued.

Lieberman appeared to be particularly angry with Netanyahu for running an election campaign against him on the Russian street, warning Russian Jews of the premier’s deceit.

He said the PM does not know how to tell the truth and does not care for the people, Russians and Oriental and Ashkenazi Jews. All he cares about is retaining his position in power.



Following Netanyahu and Trump Statements… PA Says Holds Onto State, Gaza Rule

This picture taken from a position at Israel's border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli army vehicles driving in the besieged Palestinian territory on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
This picture taken from a position at Israel's border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli army vehicles driving in the besieged Palestinian territory on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
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Following Netanyahu and Trump Statements… PA Says Holds Onto State, Gaza Rule

This picture taken from a position at Israel's border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli army vehicles driving in the besieged Palestinian territory on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
This picture taken from a position at Israel's border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli army vehicles driving in the besieged Palestinian territory on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said on Tuesday the Israeli plan to block the creation of a Palestinian State and the return of rule to the Gaza Strip, will not succeed.

During the weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Mustafa stressed that the official Palestinian stance is the embodiment of an independent state.

“The establishment of a Palestinian state requires cooperation under a single political and security system, alongside unified national institutions,” the PM said.

He noted that only through such unity can humanitarian aid effectively reach the people of Gaza and reconstruction efforts commence, ultimately leading to the realization of the long-awaited independent Palestinian state.

Mustafa said Israel is actively opposing this vision by mobilizing all its institutions and agencies to weaken the Palestinian Authority and enforce a financial blockade aimed at preventing it from fulfilling its responsibilities toward the people in Gaza.

Additionally, he said, Israel seeks to block the creation of a Palestinian state, despite widespread international consensus in its favor.

“The Israeli plan will not succeed,” the PM noted, underscoring the resilience of the Palestinian people and their steadfast determination to fulfill their national responsibilities with unwavering strength and resolve.

The Prime Minister also noted that with the growing likelihood of a near ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the government hopes for swift success in these efforts, while emphasizing that preparations are underway to coordinate relief operations and organize a reconstruction conference.

Mustafa spoke after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington that Israel would not allow the establishment of the Palestinian state, and that he was working with several states to push Palestinians from Gaza to other countries.

Also, a senior Israeli official accompanying Netanyahu to the US said that Israel was preparing to assume control of Gaza temporarily.

Day After

In Washington, Netanyahu and Trump discussed what Gaza might look like the “day after” the war with Hamas, according to the Hebrew Maariv newspaper and the Walla website.

Later, an Israeli official made a firm statement saying: “Of course there will be Palestinians, but there will be no Palestinian Authority.”