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'Israel was not even close to the table,' Lapid blasts Netanyahu over Iran ceasefire

An Israeli flag is hanging from the rear view mirror of a damaged vehicle at the site of an Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv on March 24, 2026. (AFP Photo)
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An Israeli flag is hanging from the rear view mirror of a damaged vehicle at the site of an Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv on March 24, 2026. (AFP Photo)
April 08, 2026 10:37 AM GMT+03:00

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid sharply condemned the ceasefire with Iran on Wednesday, calling it the worst "political disaster" in Israeli history.

He accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing politically, strategically and on every objective he set for the war, as Israeli military and health figures revealed the scale of the country's losses since Feb. 28.

Lapid: 'Israel was not even close to the table'

Lapid, who heads the centrist Yesh Atid party, posted the condemnation on X.

"There has never been a political disaster like this in our entire history. Israel was not even close to the table when decisions were made concerning the core of our national security," Lapid wrote.

"The army carried out everything that was asked of it, and the public showed remarkable resilience, but Netanyahu failed politically, failed strategically, and did not achieve any of the goals he himself set," he added.

Lapid said the damage would be long-lasting. "It will take us years to repair the political and strategic damage that Netanyahu caused due to arrogance, negligence and lack of strategic planning," he wrote, adding that further details would follow later in the day.

Israel's then-caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, on September 18, 2022. (AFP Photo)
Israel's then-caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, on September 18, 2022. (AFP Photo)

Israel's military toll: 11 soldiers killed, 375 wounded since Feb. 28

Israeli military figures released Monday showed 11 soldiers had been killed and 375 wounded since the start of the war on Iran on Feb. 28.

Of those wounded, 27 are in serious condition and 56 sustained moderate wounds.

The military did not specify where the soldiers were wounded but has reported daily casualties since launching its campaign in Lebanon on March 2.

The army also reported 11 Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon, bringing the total number of military deaths since October 2023 to 936.

Parents of Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis, who was killed in combat in southern Lebanon, comfort each other as they mourn at his funeral in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, March 31, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Parents of Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis, who was killed in combat in southern Lebanon, comfort each other as they mourn at his funeral in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, March 31, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Over 7,100 Israelis injured since war began, 31 killed

Israel's Health Ministry said at least 7,142 people have been injured since the start of the war with Iran, including 107 injuries in the past 24 hours as of Monday.

Of those currently hospitalized, 114 remain in care, including two in critical condition and 14 with serious injuries.

The ministry did not specify the total number of fatalities, but the Institute for National Security Studies said at least 31 people have been killed since the war began Feb. 28.

The escalation spiraled into Lebanon, with the Israeli army launching airstrikes and a ground offensive while Hezbollah staged cross-border attacks into Israel.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon since the start of the war have killed more than 1,500 people and displaced over one million, according to Lebanese authorities.

Since Feb. 28, U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have killed more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets, while restricting movement through the Strait of Hormuz.

April 08, 2026 10:37 AM GMT+03:00
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