WASHINGTON — Major General (res.) Nitzan Alon said at a Washington Institute panel that the Gaza war could have ended a year earlier, potentially saving lives and hostages. The former head of the IDF's hostage and missing persons directorate argued the war's strategic objectives were achievable sooner without compromising security. "I think we could have reached this point much earlier, perhaps a year earlier, without significantly harming the other strategic objectives of the war," Nitzan Alon said. "I believe that over time there will be a deeper understanding of the limitations of the use of force, alongside recognition that diplomatic measures and nonmilitary solutions are necessary to deal with our national security problems," he added.

Alon spoke during a Washington Institute for Near East Policy event titled "Three Years After October 7: A Bridge or a Chasm Between the Peoples?", moderated by David Makovsky. The discussion assessed the conflict’s path three years after the initial attacks. "I'm fairly certain that we could and should have shortened the war, brought back all the hostages, perhaps a year earlier, moved forward, and maybe saved thousands of lives on both sides," he said. He stressed that the extended fighting led to avoidable casualties and prolonged captivity for many.

The retired general maintained Israel could have achieved comparable military results much earlier in the conflict. "We could have achieved the same strategic accomplishments in terms of damaging Hamas's military strength, and in terms of many other security issues, much earlier," he stated. He reiterated that ending the war sooner would not have undermined its broader strategic aims.

He highlighted the human toll of delayed agreements. "Perhaps we would have brought back alive some of the hostages who were killed or murdered during captivity," he said. He noted it was likely some hostages who died in Gaza might have returned home alive. "We missed that opportunity. The war was too long," he stated.

Alon pointed to tensions between the goals of dismantling Hamas and securing hostage releases. He argued the outcomes achieved after two years of combat were not substantially different from what could have been secured earlier. He observed that the October 2025 agreement was marginally better than one available months prior, though not from a strategic perspective.

Despite the ceasefire, Hamas still holds parts of the Gaza Strip, though it no longer controls more than half. The IDF maintains control over large areas post-2025 ceasefire, establishing a buffer zone between Israel and Hamas-held regions. Alon cited diplomatic openings involving Lebanon and Syria as potential avenues for regional change, noting current security policy emphasizes buffer zones and full military operational freedom.

On political aspects of war management, he said he was not analyzing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal motives. "I'm not a psychologist who can know exactly what is going on in the prime minister's mind," he said. However, he dismissed Netanyahu’s assertion that Israel must achieve “total victory” before any deal as false. He explained that leaders are shaped by strategic, ideological, political, and personal factors.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani reported that Doha contacted Israeli officials immediately after the conflict began. He said Israel rejected an early Hamas proposal to release all captives in exchange for a limited ceasefire. Alon observed widespread erosion of trust among Israelis in the Palestinian side, the two-state solution, and the feasibility of agreements.

Reflecting on leadership, he said Israeli society showed initiative, solidarity, and mutual responsibility while government performance faltered. "On October 7, there was of course a severe intelligence and military failure, alongside a mistaken and catastrophic conception by the political leadership," he said. He called for leadership that accepts responsibility and offers hope. "Israel needs leadership that takes responsibility as it is and offers hope. Not leadership that relies on slogans such as 'total victory,' but leadership that presents realistic and balanced plans for dealing with our security, economic, and social challenges." He added, "We definitely need different leadership, which will take these wonderful people forward with a realistic approach." He expressed confidence that over time, the limits of military force would be better understood, and diplomatic and nonmilitary approaches recognized as essential for national security.

Alon previously served as head of IDF Central Command from 2012 to 2015, head of the Military Intelligence Operations Division from 2007 to 2009, and commanded the West Bank regional division from 2009 to 2011. He was appointed by then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi to lead the Hostages and Missing Persons Headquarters after the October 7 attack, a role he held until November 2025. Israel's legislative elections are scheduled for October 27, 2026.

Why It Matters

Nitzan Alon’s comments offer a senior military assessment of the Gaza war’s timing and strategic outcomes, suggesting earlier diplomacy could have reduced humanitarian suffering. By stating key goals were reachable a year sooner, he questions the necessity of prolonged military operations for security gains. His remarks align with accounts from Qatari mediators and former diplomats indicating early ceasefire proposals existed but were declined, highlighting a possible gap between military feasibility and political choices.

The October 2025 ceasefire and Hamas’s continued partial control of Gaza underscore the complex realities despite formal accords. With Israel’s legislative elections set for October 2026, debate over war conduct, hostage recovery, and future security doctrine remains central. Alon’s criticism of specific political figures and his call for leadership focused on practical planning over slogans reflect ongoing concerns about accountability and strategic clarity in Israeli policy.

Timeline

In the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, 251 people were abducted and taken to Gaza. The October 7, 2023 attack resulted in significant loss of life, according to Israeli figures. Hamas and Israel carried out a prisoner exchange deal in October 2025 under a ceasefire agreement. The October 2025 prisoner exchange saw the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails and 20 Israeli captives held in the Gaza Strip. The October 2025 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect on October 10, 2025. Nitzan Alon criticized Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in July 2026, saying Smotrich had opposed some agreements put forward at various stages.

What's New

Former Israeli diplomat Alan Pinkas said a deal was possible very soon after the Hamas attack in October 2023.

He criticized Smotrich for opposing hostage agreements during the war, as reported by The Jerusalem Post in July 2026. Hamas retained control over parts of the Gaza Strip after the October 2025 ceasefire, though it no longer controlled more than half of the territory, according to his remarks at the Washington Institute panel. He referred to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that Israel must achieve “total victory” before signing a deal as false. "A deal was possible very soon after the Hamas attack in October 2023."