Defense Minister Israel Katz has come to the defense of IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, saying the army chief has a “right and duty” to air his views, following attacks on Zamir for reportedly disagreeing with the government’s plan to occupy Gaza.

In particular,  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s son Yair suggested in a Monday post on X that Zamir is behind a “rebellion and attempted military coup” for discouraging the reported policy. In a follow-up post, he claimed that Katz had “insisted” on Zamir’s appointment in March.

In a lengthy post on X on Wednesday morning, Katz stood by Zamir. He did not address Zamir’s objections to the Gaza occupation plan, which Zamir reportedly aired in a heated meeting on Tuesday, warning that the plan would endanger Israeli hostages, exhaust an army stretched thin, and create a “trap” for the IDF in Gaza.

But the defense minister affirmed that the IDF chief had a right to his views.

“It is the right and duty of the chief of staff to express his position in the appropriate forums, and following decisions by the political leadership, the IDF will carry out what was decided with determination and professionalism — as has been done up until now on every front — until we achieve the goals of the war.”

Katz did offer an implied defense of the occupation plan, which has yet to be formally approved, writing, “Hamas’ refusal to free the hostages obligates further decisions as to the way we can advance the goals of the war: destroying Hamas while creating the conditions for freeing the hostages and ensuring peace for Israeli towns now and always.”

Katz also confirmed that he had recommended Zamir’s appointment, and praised his accomplishments.

“Yes, exactly as reported, I recommended Eyal Zamir as IDF chief of staff,” he wrote. “Under his leadership, together with the IDF’s heroic commanders and soldiers, and under the leadership of the political echelon, the IDF is powerfully on the offensive in Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria, Gaza and other fronts.”

Katz’s statement came after Zamir reportedly clashed with the elder Netanyahu over his son’s post in a meeting of cabinet ministers. Zamir objected to Yair Netanyahu’s accusation, saying in the meeting, according to the Kan public broadcaster, “How does that look? Why are you attacking me? Why are you speaking against me in the middle of a war?”

Netanyahu reportedly responded, “Don’t threaten to quit in the media. I can’t accept that every time you threaten that if we don’t accept your plans, you’ll leave. My son is 33, he’s a grown man.”

Katz’s post also marked a change in tone for the defense minister himself, a close Netanyahu ally who had, the previous day, made an implicit push for Zamir to soften his opposition to the government.

“Once the political leadership makes the necessary decisions, the military leadership, as it has done in all fronts of war so far, will professionally implement the determined policy,” Katz said during a visit to an IDF post in the Gaza buffer zone on Tuesday.  “My role as the defense minister in charge of the IDF is to ensure that this will be the case, and that is what I will do.”

Sources from Netanyahu’s office have also conveyed that if Zamir disagrees with the plan, he can resign.

The argument over occupation — and the social media post — was the latest in a series of disagreements between the cabinet and IDF brass. It reportedly took place during a three-hour meeting of a narrow group of ministers, ahead of a cabinet vote to approve the occupation plan. Netanyahu has reportedly decided to move forward with the Gaza occupation, a longstanding demand of his far-right coalition partners, as negotiations with Hamas hit an impasse in recent weeks.

The IDF currently holds control over approximately 75 percent of the Gaza Strip, but under the new plan, the military would be expected to occupy the remaining territory as well — bringing the entire enclave under Israeli control.

It is unclear what such a move would mean for the Strip’s millions of civilians, for humanitarian groups operating in the enclave, and for the 50 Israeli hostages held there by terror groups, at least 20 of whom are thought to be alive.

Relatives of the hostages have expressed alarm at the plan.