Former National Security Council Deputy Director Eran Etzion has accused the Israeli prime minister of avoiding meeting air force troops during a scheduled visit in fear of criticism, Al Jazeera reports.

“So what do they do? Evacuate the unit of its personnel. Visit empty hangars. Pose with SUVs and classified vehicles,” Etzion said in a post on X.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that reservists serving in the Shaldag and 669 units were instructed to vacate the premises Netanyahu was expected to visit today, without specifying the location. The reservists alleged that the directive was intended to silence their criticism of the prime minister, the publication said.

A public letter by former Unit 669 members criticised Netanyahu’s decision to visit the troops, claiming it would “disrupt operational focus”.

“It would be better if the Prime Minister refrained from these visits and focused on managing the biggest crisis in the nation’s history, which happened on his watch,” Haaretz quoted the letter as saying.