IDF Chief Warns Against Full Gaza Takeover as Netanyahu Pushes Escalation
IDF Chief Warns Against Full Gaza Takeover as Netanyahu Pushes Escalation
Israel’s military chief, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has issued a stark warning against a complete military takeover of Gaza, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly considers ordering a ‘full conquest’ of the besieged territory. The deep division between the military and political leadership comes to a head as Netanyahu is expected to push for this significant escalation in a security cabinet meeting today, Thursday.
During a high-level meeting on Tuesday evening, Zamir cautioned that a full conquest would not only trap Israeli forces within the enclave but also jeopardize the remaining hostages. He further highlighted concerns about increased strain on the military, which is already grappling with attrition and burnout among reservist forces after nearly two years of conflict. While Zamir’s strategy reportedly favors encircling key areas where hostages might be held, Netanyahu is advocating for a more extensive operation into the heart of Gaza.
This ongoing disagreement underscores the widening rift between Israel’s military command, which has reportedly recommended diplomatic solutions to end the protracted war, and Netanyahu’s government, which continues to pursue maximalist war objectives. Despite the Israeli military asserting control over approximately 75% of Gaza, Zamir’s warning echoes past concerns about a full military occupation, reminiscent of Israel’s withdrawal from the territory two decades ago.
The proposed ‘conquest of the Strip’ faces significant opposition, including from Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid, who publicly deemed it a ‘very bad idea,’ citing a lack of national consensus and a potentially heavy price for the Israeli people. Polling consistently indicates that a majority of Israelis favor ending the war in exchange for the release of the remaining 50 hostages.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. The health ministry reported 138 deaths in the past 24 hours on Wednesday, marking the highest toll in weeks. Additionally, five more people died of hunger, bringing the total starvation-related deaths to 193, including 96 children. Discrepancies persist in aid delivery, with Israeli authorities reporting nearly 300 aid trucks entering Gaza on Tuesday, while Hamas-controlled media claims only 84 trucks made it through, far below the estimated daily need of 600 relief and fuel trucks.
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