Israel’s Military Chief Challenges Netanyahu’s Gaza Expansion Plans

The military chief of Israel, Eyal Zamir, has voiced strong opposition to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s proposals to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip. During a tense meeting on Tuesday, Israeli officials reported that Zamir cautioned Netanyahu against plans to seize areas of Gaza that are not currently under Israeli control. The warning comes at a time when Netanyahu faces mounting pressure regarding the ongoing conflict, both domestically and internationally.

Zamir expressed concern that a broader military incursion could ensnare Israeli forces in Gaza, a territory from which Israel withdrew nearly two decades ago. Sources familiar with the meeting indicated that the military chief also highlighted the potential risk to hostages held by Hamas in the area. The Israeli military claims to control approximately 75 percent of Gaza following nearly two years of conflict that escalated after Hamas launched an attack on southern Israeli communities in October 2023.

In the face of international calls for a ceasefire, Netanyahu’s government is under scrutiny as the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates. The region, home to around two million people, has seen widespread destruction, with many residents displaced multiple times. Aid organizations warn that the population is on the brink of famine. The United Nations has described reports of a possible military expansion as “deeply alarming.”

The Israeli military has refrained from imposing direct military rule or annexing Gaza, in contrast to the views of some coalition members who advocate for rebuilding Jewish settlements in the territory. As the situation unfolds, Netanyahu has been criticized for the military’s inability to secure the release of hostages. Most hostages freed thus far have been negotiated through diplomatic channels rather than military action.

Defence Minister Israel Katz stated on social media platform X that while Zamir has the right to express his views, the military will follow the government’s directives until all objectives are met. Netanyahu’s office confirmed the meeting with Zamir but opted not to provide further details.

The prime minister is set to meet with other ministers on Thursday to discuss military strategies concerning Gaza. A source indicated that Netanyahu seeks to intensify military operations as a means to apply pressure on Hamas. The prime minister’s coalition is noted for being the most right-wing in Israeli history, and some members have threatened to resign if military actions are curtailed.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid commented after a meeting with Netanyahu that public sentiment is shifting against the continuation of the war. He cautioned that a full military takeover of Gaza would likely have severe repercussions. A recent poll from Israel’s Channel 12 indicated a preference among the public for a diplomatic resolution to end the conflict and ensure the release of hostages.

Currently, approximately 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive. Disturbing footage released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad displaying emaciated captives has drawn widespread condemnation. The humanitarian toll on the Palestinian population is staggering, with reports from Gaza’s health ministry indicating nearly 200 Palestinians have died from starvation since the onset of the war, about half of them children.

The conflict has also strained Israel’s military resources, which relies heavily on a small standing army and has had to call up reservists repeatedly. It remains uncertain if further mobilization will be necessary should operations expand to take additional territory.

As air strikes continue, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 61,000 since the conflict began, with most casualties reported to be civilians. Since the initial attacks by Hamas, Israeli sources report that around 1,200 people have been killed, including over 700 civilians, alongside 251 hostages taken to Gaza.

Amidst the devastation, displaced Palestinians express their desperation for an end to the violence. One resident, Tamer Al-Burai, summed up the dire situation, asking, “Where will we go? Should people jump into the sea if the tanks rolled in, or wait to die under the rubble of their houses?” His plea encapsulates the urgent humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.