Former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon's remarks accusing the Israeli army of "ethnic cleansing" in Gaza have sparked significant controversy within Israel. Yaalon criticized the ongoing military operations in northern Gaza, claiming they have resulted in the destruction of towns such as Beit Lahia, Beit Hanoun, and Jabalia, which he described as effectively clearing the land of its Arab population.

His comments have provoked a strong backlash, with figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party condemning them. Likud labeled the remarks as damaging, suggesting they could be exploited by international bodies like the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has been critical of Israeli actions in Gaza.

This debate occurs against the backdrop of international scrutiny over Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian casualties, according to local health authorities and UN assessments. The UN recently described the situation in Gaza as bearing characteristics of genocide, a term strongly rejected by Israeli officials.