Former prime minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert, stated that what Israel "is currently doing in Gaza is very close to a war crime. Thousands of innocent Palestinians are being killed, as well as many Israeli soldiers," in a BBC interview on Tuesday.
According to him, "the war has no objective and has no chance of achieving anything that could save the lives of the hostages." He added: "We are fighting Hamas murderers, we are not fighting innocent civilians, and this must be clear."
Olmert said the "obvious appearance" of the war is thousands of innocent Palestinians being killed, as well as many IDF soldiers. "From every point of view, this is obnoxious and outrageous", he added.
"We are fighting the killers of Hamas, we are not fighting innocent civilians," he told the BBC. "And that has to be clear."
Responses from Israeli officials
Education Minister Yoav Kisch condemned Olmert’s remarks, saying the former prime minister should be ashamed of himself.
In an X/Twitter post, Kisch wrote, "Ehud Olmert joins Yair Golan and the chorus of the extreme left that defames the State of Israel in the international arena."
האסיר המשוחרר אהוד אולמרט מצטרף למזהה התהליכים יאיר גולן ולמקהלת השמאל הקיצוני שמכפישה את מדינת ישראל בזירה הבינלאומית.בזמן שחיילי צה”ל מחרפים את נפשם מול טרור רצחני המבקש להשמידנו - הוא בוחר להסית ולתקוע להם סכין בגב.שיתבייש.
— יואב קיש Yoav Kisch (@YoavKisch) May 20, 2025
"While IDF soldiers are risking their lives in the face of murderous terror that seeks to destroy us, he chooses to incite and stab them in the back. Let him be ashamed," he added.
Likud MK May Golan also reacted on X, stating: “The only crime in this war is your spitting in the faces of IDF fighters who are currently fighting the modern-day Nazi enemy. And yes, there are innocent people in Gaza — 58 to be exact.”
Likud MK Nissim Vaturi called Olmert “the corrupt prime minister who has been here since the founding of the state, consumed by self-hatred, a mouthpiece for Hamas!” He added: “He and his friend Yair Golan support the vile terrorists, those who murdered babies and raped women!”
International leaders send warning to Israel
On Monday, in response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that Israel will control all parts of the Gaza Strip, leaders from Britain, France, and Canada issued a joint statement opposing Israel’s ongoing military presence in Gaza and the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
The countries warned, “If Israel does not stop the renewed military offensive and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete steps in response,” The Jerusalem Post previously quoted.
“The Israeli government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching international humanitarian law,” the British government added.
Additionally, the leaders expressed support for efforts led by the US, Qatar, and Egypt to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to recognizing a Palestinian state as part of advancing a two-state solution.