Former Israeli defense minister says soldiers plagued by nightmares

Former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Monday that soldiers are plagued by nightmares, the economy is collapsing, and diplomacy is eroding. 

“Nine months have passed since the deadly surprise attack by Hamas on the state of Israel and its people, and it seems as though nothing has changed within the Israeli leadership,” Lieberman wrote in an article published on the Israeli news site Walla.

“Children and adults, soldiers, and reservists are suffering from nightmares about what has happened and what might happen. The Israeli economy is collapsing, and Israeli diplomacy is eroding,” the leader of the right-wing opposition party added.

Referring to tensions between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, Lieberman said: “The north is desolate and scorched; Iran continues to arm itself; and while all this is happening, the corrupt government continues as if nothing has happened.”

“Negotiations for the release of hostages should take place away from the cameras, allowing the professional team led by Nitzan Alon (responsible for the missing persons file in the Israeli army) to lead the process with full support,” Liberman said.

Israel has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians in Gaza since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack that claimed 1,200 lives and took another 250 as hostages. Israeli actions have triggered a humanitarian disaster and an ongoing trial over alleged genocide at the International Court of Justice. Negotiations for a permanent cease-fire and release of captives continue, but have not succeeded yet.