Former Israeli premier Ehud Barak accuses Netanyahu of laying groundwork for a war that could delay elections

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has accused current premier Benjamin Netanyahu of preparing the ground for a war that could be used to delay upcoming elections, according to Anadolu Agency.

"We must do everything to remove him from power on Oct. 27, once and for all," Barak was quoted as saying, directly naming October 27 as a target date tied to Netanyahu's political future.

A politically charged accusation

Barak's remarks reflect long-running tensions between Netanyahu and segments of Israel's political establishment and security veterans, some of whom have repeatedly criticized the prime minister's handling of security matters and questioned his motives during periods of military escalation.

Accusations that a sitting leader might use conflict to delay or influence elections are a serious charge in any democracy, and such claims from a former prime minister and military chief carry particular weight in Israeli politics given Barak's own background leading the country's armed forces and government.

Anadolu's report did not include a response from Netanyahu's office to Barak's claims. The accusation comes against a backdrop of continued military operations and heightened political tension in Israel ahead of the referenced election date.

It remains to be seen how Netanyahu and his allies will respond to the allegation, and whether it will have any bearing on the political debate ahead of the vote.