Jerusalem: Tensions between Israel’s military and political leadership have sharply escalated over the past week, with the military chief directly confronting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a recent meeting over plans to expand the Gaza war, Israeli officials told CNN.
Tens of thousands of Israeli reservists have begun reporting for duty to prepare for the massive operation, despite the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir repeatedly voicing reservations about the decision to take over Gaza City after almost two years of fighting.
According to Israeli officials who were briefed on the exchange in two recent security cabinet meetings about the Gaza City operation, Zamir challenged the decision to carry out the offensive, focusing on the potential risks to the 48 Israeli hostages remaining in Gaza, and to soldiers on the battleground.
He also raised objections to the displacement of up to one million Palestinians in the process and its potential humanitarian and strategic ramifications.
In the most recent stormy security cabinet meeting on Sunday evening, Zamir once again urged the ministers to consider the latest ceasefire proposal put forward by Egyptian and Qatari mediators that has been accepted by Hamas, the officials told CNN.
“There is a framework on the table, and we should take it,” he said.
However, Netanyahu chose not to raise the proposal or to put it on the cabinet’s agenda, but Zamir nevertheless insisted on making his case.
The officials said the IDF chief also warned that the decision to take over Gaza City will eventually lead to a full Israeli military occupation of the Gaza Strip, with Israel bearing complete responsibility for its entire population.
But Zamir’s reservations were dismissed by Netanyahu, who refused to discuss the partial ceasefire deal. Instead, the prime minister cited US President Donald Trump, saying, “Forget the partial deals… Go in with full force and finish this,” cited the sources.
Netanyahu has instead insisted on a comprehensive deal that sees all the hostages released at once.
Only a minority of ministers expressed support for Zamir’s position, including members of Netanyahu’s Likud party.
The prime minister’s far-right political allies, on the other hand, have accused the chief of staff of leading a weak and defeatist approach that is preventing victory over Hamas, the officials said.
The disagreements between Zamir and the government have deepened in recent weeks as reports of his opposition to the Gaza war expansion emerged.
During nearly two years of war, tensions between government and military leaders have been frequent. Netanyahu has repeatedly attempted to deflect responsibility for the security lapses during the attacks of October 7, 2023, blaming security chiefs instead.
Over the past nine months, the prime minister has replaced all key security figures that were in office on the day of the attacks, including the minister of defense, the military chief and the head of the domestic security agency Shin Bet.
However, the current IDF chief of staff, unlike his predecessor, was appointed directly by Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Zamir’s opposition to the latest push to expand the war has escalated tensions further, prompting calls from some of Netanyahu’s allies for the military chief’s resignation, only half a year after his appointment.
Previously serving as the prime minister’s military secretary, Zamir’s appointment was initially welcomed by the government. But he quickly became a target for far-right frustration over the war’s proceedings.
Meanwhile, in a related development, a growing group of Israeli reservists announced Tuesday they will refuse to report for duty if called up for Israel’s planned military operation to seize Gaza City, citing the safety of Israeli hostages and deep concerns over the humanitarian toll of the war.
