Why Did Netanyahu Change the Name of the Gaza War?
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency via Quds News Agency, Israeli newspaper Haaretz wrote that the Israeli cabinet’s decision to hold its first meeting after the Gaza ceasefire focused on “changing the name of the war” reflects an ongoing battle over narratives and highlights how detached Israeli leaders remain from the on-the-ground realities of the conflict.
Israeli writer Uzi Werter commented that convening a cabinet session to rename the Gaza conflict from “Operation Iron Swords” to “The War of Resurrection” is a new attempt to portray defeated figures as heroes and reshape a major defeat as a “national resurrection.”
Werter explained that this renaming effort aims at erasing memory of one of Israel’s greatest defeats. He said it is easier for Netanyahu to change what the war is called than face its consequences.
the writer noted this move comes two years after the war began, even though more than 100,000 Israelis remain displaced from their homes and bodies of captives are held by Hamas.
Highlighting that extending the conflict served Netanyahu’s personal interests, Werter added that Netanyahu wants to replace words like “disaster” with “resurrection,” as if language alone could quell public anger.
Werter also pointed out that captives who could have been returned long ago were left in tunnels because Netanyahu did not want an end to hostilities. Meanwhile, tens of thousands displaced received inadequate support while his cabinet engaged in media theatrics.
Haaretz described this renaming strategy as an effort by Netanyahu to delay accountability. It stated Netanyahu knows an investigative committee will eventually reach him,so he prefers discussing rhetoric rather of decisions.
The article mocked Netanyahu’s approach by saying his government’s methods for “shirking duty” deserve inclusion in textbooks on dictatorial regimes.
Werter further revealed that even internationally,Netanyahu faces defeat in controlling narratives. Millions of Israelis now openly accuse him of “betrayal,” recognizing that Gaza became a battleground due not to defense but negligence.
The piece concluded: although Netanyahu may rename this conflict however he chooses, he cannot change its essence-it will remain the War of Negligence.
