Former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman has not yet commented on the assassination of Hamas' Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh. It's a shame, as he deserves full credit. Eight years and two and a half weeks ago, Lieberman, then an opposition Knesset member, declared that if he were appointed Defence Minister, he would eliminate Haniyeh within 48 hours.
In a conversation with Ronen Katz, Lieberman said at the time: "I’m telling you, and you can hold me to it, and it’s all recorded, if I am Defence Minister, I give Mr. (Ismail) Haniyeh 48 hours. Either you return the bodies and the civilians or you die. As far as I’m concerned, you might as well book yourself a spot in the nearest cemetery. There is no such thing…"
Since that event, Lieberman was appointed Defence Minister about two years later but resigned in anger, claiming he did not receive authorization to eliminate Hamas leaders following the complicated Khan Younis operation that resulted in the death of Lt. Col. M. This statement of Lieberman’s became a running joke and constant mockery against him, with a countdown clock set up in the Knesset for all his promises. Now, 3,000 days, or 72,000 hours later, it turns out that Lieberman was right and Haniyeh has been eliminated.
