The Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has been trying all day to convince both the military leadership and the opposition of the usefulness of the new - very old tactic that he wants to follow in the war in Gaza, at a time when he is facing extremely harsh criticism for his actions so far, which have not only failed to bring the hostages back, but have also caused a humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip.

The IDF chief's disagreements, reactions and the meeting

The idea he is currently considering and promoting, as pressure on his government from many states preparing to recognize Palestine increases, is the full and complete reoccupation of the Strip. According to Israeli and international media reports, the Israeli prime minister is promoting this idea in meetings with security and military officers, as well as officials, but is encountering significant resistance. The most notable reaction was that of the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Eyal Zamir, who disagreed in a related discussion.

While the exact reasons for Zamir's disagreement with Netanyahu's strategy are not known, it appears that he was asked to present alternatives in a meeting held today. According to Reuters, today's meeting was attended by Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Eyal Zamir and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. The outcome of this unannounced meeting will go to the cabinet later this week for approval.

From the various statements and reactions to the choice to launch an even larger operation, it appears that it is supported only by the very close supporters of the prime minister, as well as the far-right ministers of his government. They are the ones who have been attacking Eyal Zamir all day today, as well as those who dare to express themselves negatively about the plan to occupy Gaza.

The opposition supported Zamir, Netanyahu responded that the army will do what is necessary

On the contrary, of course, Zamir was supported by the opposition, as well as Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.

The chief of the general staff is obliged to express his professional opinion clearly and without doubt to the political leadership. I am convinced that he will do so, Saar wrote in X. He is not obliged to clarify the subordination of the military leadership to the decisions of the government.

Reports of a Netanyahu-Zamir feud also drew criticism from opposition leader Yair Lapid, who insisted that such disagreements should remain hidden. IDF soldiers should not believe that they are led by a divided leadership, that the political leadership does not respect their commander, that they are being sold out for headlines, Lapid wrote in X.

To put an end to the tension, after the discussion on the next steps in Gaza ended, Netanyahu's office issued a relevant statement in which it was made clear that the IDF is ready to implement any decision taken by the security ministry.

The move comes in a climate of division

The announcement of the new strategy, even before it was officially announced, has caused deep division in an already divided state. As analysts point out, this move stirs up memories from the distant 2005 when the decision was made to withdraw from Gaza and build the security fence, while it comes at a time when more and more people are accusing Netanyahu and his government of genocide.

It is indicative that an analyst in Yedioth Ahronoth, provoked the wrath of Netanyahu supporters because he wrote about the possibility of occupying Gaza: Hostages will die, a large number of IDF soldiers will be killed, and a serious supply problem will arise – where to house the approximately 1 million civilians now in Gaza City. At present, Israel simply does not have the legitimacy either to continue fighting in Gaza or to establish a refugee city on its ruins.

Earlier, left-wing MK Ofer Kassif was forcibly led out of the Knesset chamber while speaking on the podium because he dared to read an excerpt from an interview with renowned author David Grossman in La Repubblica in which Grossman claimed that"For years I refused to use the term genocide, but now, after the photos I saw and after conversations with people who were there, I can no longer avoid it." Kassif's statement was interrupted by Likud MKs, claiming that this excerpt was fabricated and that he cannot say genocide here.