The two faces of Eisenkot, who could be Israel’s PM

In the recent Israeli election, former chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot and incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are currently in a deadlock. Eisenkot, who has been in the shadows for his brutal military strategies, might soon become Israel's Prime Minister. The mainstream media often portrays Eisenkot as a moderate centrist, but in reality, he laid the foundation for the obliteration of Gaza.

Born in Israel, Eisenkot grew up in Tiberias and Eilat, outside the political power centers of the country. After serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and becoming the chief of staff, he formalized the Campaigns Between the Wars (CBW) doctrine, a covert strategy designed to weaken enemies and postpone future conflicts. As chief of staff, Eisenkot was involved in numerous clashes with Palestinians and significantly contributed to US-Israel strategic cooperation.

However, his role in Netanyahu's war cabinet during the Gaza war is often downplayed. Despite being appointed head of the Northern Command after the 2006 Lebanon War, Eisenkot's strategy, based on the Obliteration Doctrine, led to the genocidal atrocities in Gaza. The doctrine, first outlined in 2005, was deployed in the 2008-09 Gaza War, causing significant loss of life and destruction.

Despite the International Criminal Court (ICC) focusing on other senior figures, a complaint was submitted to the ICC prosecutor in July 2024, asking for Eisenkot's inclusion in the investigation.