“We find ourselves in a Middle East that is much less comfortable for Israel,” former IDF Deputy Chief of Staff General (res.) Dan Harel has said. Speaking to IDF Radio (Galei Tzahal), Harel said the Middle East was never friendly, but that the true situation had only now been revealed.

“Welcome to reality,” he added.

Harel spoke following Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi’s firing of top military staff – a move that effectively gives the Muslim Brotherhood leader more control over Egypt’s army.