Israeli President Yitzchak Herzog called the 2005 disengagement from Gaza a “mistake” during a speech on Monday, marking the 20th anniversary of the controversial withdrawal.

Speaking at an event hosted by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI), Herzog reflected on the decision to evacuate all Israeli settlements and military forces from the Gaza Strip, a move that has shaped Israel’s security landscape for two decades.

The disengagement saw Israel unilaterally withdraw from Gaza, dismantling 21 settlements and evacuating approximately 8,500 residents, many forcibly removed by Israeli security forces. The move aimed to reduce friction with Palestinians and advance peace prospects, but Herzog argued it failed to achieve those goals.

“Looking back, I believe the disengagement was a mistake,” Herzog said, citing the subsequent rise of Hamas’s control over Gaza and the persistent rocket attacks on southern Israel.

He noted that the withdrawal, intended to bolster Israel’s security and international standing, instead led to increased hostilities, including the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and triggered the ongoing war.

The president said national unity is needed to address Gaza’s future, advocating for a “sober and honest” reassessment of Israel’s policies. He suggested that any future peace efforts must involve pragmatic agreements ensuring Israel’s safety, referencing the Abraham Accords as a model for regional cooperation.

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