ALBAWABA- Tensions continue to escalate at the top of Israel's leadership as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes for a complete military takeover of the Gaza Strip, a move strongly opposed by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.
According to Haaretz, citing Israeli officials, Netanyahu is unlikely to dismiss Zamir, despite earlier threats, and may instead settle for a limited military operation to project toughness amid political pressure.
The disagreement surfaced after reports revealed that Netanyahu told senior security officials that Zamir should resign if he could not support the proposed operation.
In response, Zamir presented alternative plans focused on encirclement and targeted strikes, seeking to avoid the risks of a prolonged occupation.
While Netanyahu seeks cabinet approval for his aggressive plan, aimed at dismantling Hamas and rescuing hostages, military officials warn that such a move would endanger troops and civilians alike.
Critics inside the government believe that the talk of wholly occupying Gaza is a political tactic to pressure Hamas, not a concrete plan.
Far-right ministers like Itamar Ben Gvir have publicly demanded that Zamir pledge unconditional loyalty to cabinet decisions, regardless of personal objections.
Yet, Defense Minister Israel Katz defended the Chief of Staff’s right to voice his opinion, stating that the army will ultimately implement the leadership’s final decision.
Meanwhile, on the ground, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, 20 Palestinians died overnight after a food truck overturned on desperate civilians in central Gaza, allegedly forced to use unsafe roads by Israeli forces.
Eighteen others were killed by Israeli fire since dawn, and fresh evacuation orders have been issued for multiple neighborhoods in eastern Gaza City.
As the war nears its two-year mark, questions loom over Israel's strategic direction, internal leadership rifts, and growing international condemnation, raising the stakes for both Netanyahu’s government and Gaza’s besieged population.
