Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Accuses Netanyahu of War Crimes and Warns of Gaza Catastrophe

Report by Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has publicly accused Israel’s current government of committing war crimes in Gaza, calling the military campaign a political move that has spiraled into a humanitarian disaster.

In a strongly worded statement published in Haaretz, Olmert condemned the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming the ongoing operations lack strategic purpose and are causing massive civilian casualties.

Olmert, who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2009, admitted he can no longer defend Israel’s conduct. What is happening in Gaza is no longer a military campaign — it is a deliberate and destructive political war,” he wrote.

The former leader also admitted he could no longer defend Israel’s actions, stating that the scale of the destruction and death has reached “monstrous proportions.” According to him, the devastation has turned Gaza into a zone of humanitarian collapse.

During a recent interview with the BBC, Olmert added that the conflict has lost all clear goals. He warned that it offers no solution for the return of Israeli hostages and is instead worsening the crisis.

His remarks sparked an immediate backlash from members of Netanyahu’s administration.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Olmert of undermining national efforts and assisting foreign campaigns aimed at delegitimizing Israel and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Education Minister Yoav Kisch criticized Olmert for “demoralizing Israeli troops,” while Social Equality Minister May Golan accused him of “betraying the nation.”