In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was involved in a covert operation to assassinate Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut in September 2024. The move, which was not pre-disclosed to the United States, highlighted a growing rift between Jerusalem and Washington over military strategies in the region.
Netanyahu faced internal opposition from then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, who advocated for informing the Biden administration. They believed that the U. S. might support a strike against a Hezbollah figure linked to American casualties. However, Netanyahu feared that then-U. S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan would react strongly against the plan, reportedly saying Sullivan would "jump out of his skin" if informed.
The operation, executed on September 27, 2024, resulted in the death of Nasrallah, who had led Hezbollah for over three decades. This marked a significant shift in Israel's campaign against the group, which had opened a second front against Israel following a Hamas attack in October 2023. The Pentagon confirmed it had no prior knowledge of the strike, learning of it only after it commenced.
the assassination was a response to nearly a year of unsuccessful American diplomatic efforts to halt Hezbollah's attacks on northern Israel. "From Israel's point of view, it had been sitting and waiting for 10, 11 months while Hezbollah had been pounding the north of Israel with rockets and with anti-tank missiles, " Kaufman explained.
The incident underscored a fundamental difference in approach between the U. S. and Israel. While the Biden administration aimed to de-escalate the conflict, Israel was focused on achieving a decisive victory. Kaufman noted the differing goals of the two nations during the conflict.
The book, co-authored by Kaufman and Yonah Jeremy Bob, also explores Netanyahu's initial reluctance to launch a ground invasion of Gaza after the October 2023 Hamas massacre. Despite warnings from American generals about potential military defeat, Netanyahu eventually approved the operation on October 27, 2023, after regaining confidence in the IDF and Israeli intelligence.
Netanyahu's handling of the October 7 attack has been controversial. Kaufman criticized the Prime Minister for not taking responsibility, instead blaming military officials for failing to alert him in time. This controversy was further fueled by claims from retired Maj. Gen. Avi Gil, who alleged attempts to alter the official record of Netanyahu's actions on the morning of the attack.
Gil accused Netanyahu's chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman, of instructing changes to the recorded time of a crucial phone call. Although Braverman admitted to seeking the change, he denied any wrongdoing. The Likud party dismissed these allegations, citing a previous police investigation that found no substance to the claims.
Gil also suggested that political considerations influenced decisions regarding hostage negotiations, potentially costing lives. He indicated that opposition from far-right ministers in Netanyahu's coalition affected the Prime Minister's stance on ceasefires and hostage deals.
Kaufman argued that while political motivations were part of Netanyahu's decision-making, strategic interests also played a role. He highlighted Israel's subsequent military successes, including weakening Hezbollah and targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, as evidence of broader strategic goals beyond mere political survival.
The book further details how Israel's military actions against Iran convinced President Donald Trump to authorize U. S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict in June 2025. Kaufman recounted how Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir presented a compelling case to Vice President JD Vance, emphasizing the unique opportunity for a direct strike on Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
