Before a limited discussion that lasted about 3 hours, the Chief of Staff made it clear to the Prime Minister that he had not threatened to resign. Zamir warned against harming the hostages and attrition of forces, but emphasized that he would do whatever the political echelon assigned him. Netanyahu believes that the IDF's existing system in Gaza has not been successful, and therefore he believes that occupying the Strip will significantly increase the chances of releasing the hostages.
Itamar Eichner
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The limited security discussion that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held this afternoon (Tuesday) ended after about three hours, and at the end of it his office issued a statement stating that Chief of Staff Lt. Col. Eyal Zamir presented the options for continuing the campaign in Gaza - and that"the IDF is prepared to implement any decision made by the political-security cabinet." The Chief of Staff presented the various options, and came out against the possibility of occupying the Strip - but made it clear, in the shadow of
The confrontation with Netanyahu
, who will do whatever the political echelon decides. In a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz before the discussion, Zamir made it clear that he had not threatened to resign.
Netanyahu and Zamir against the backdrop of the Gaza Strip (Photo: Dana Kopel, Shalev Shalom, REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun, IDF Spokesperson, Ahmad Hasaballah /Getty Images)
The Prime Minister's Office statement was intended to send a clear message to the public: Even if the IDF has so far been reluctant about the move, Chief of Staff Zamir will"align himself with the Prime Minister" and implement any decision that is made. Behind the scenes, a trend of increasing pressure is described by Netanyahu's associates and Likud officials, who are intended to undermine Zamir's public legitimacy. Yair Netanyahu and officials on the"Home Channels" began promoting messages that Zamir belongs to the "Conception Generation," even though his appointment was accepted by Netanyahu himself.
According to the discussion held tonight, the move to occupy the Strip will be submitted for approval to the cabinet, which will meet on Thursday at 6:00 PM. Netanyahu will have to explain to the public why he is acting contrary to the positions previously expressed by the professional echelons, especially on the issue of the abductees and the depletion of the reserve forces. The message may be based on the difficult videos of the abductees Rom Breslavsky and Eviatar David, and presented as a last-ditch attempt to return the captives in the face of Hamas, which refuses to make a deal. But even then, he will be faced with a weighty question: Is this a security decision – or a political one?
Netanyahu and the failed method
During the limited discussion, Chief of Staff Zamir reiterated his positions and warned of the implications of occupying the Strip: harming the hostages and attrition of the forces. However, in the end, as mentioned, Zamir made it clear that he would carry out whatever the political echelon would assign to him. The IDF presented two plans of action - occupation and encirclement. The Chief of Staff's preferred option is encirclement.
Prime Minister Netanyahu made it clear that he believes that the existing system, which has so far failed to release hostages, must be changed. Netanyahu believes that occupying the Strip will significantly increase the chance of releasing hostages, and therefore the decision to occupy the Strip will be presented to cabinet members this week.
The limited discussion, in which the atmosphere was businesslike, was attended by, among others, Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and Head of the IDF Operations Directorate, Major General Itzik Cohen. At the end of the discussion, sources familiar with the matter said that Prime Minister Netanyahu is"determined to go for the occupation of the Strip." Minister Katz made it clear in the discussion that since Hamas has blown up all contacts and refuses to release the hostages, it is necessary to act forcefully in Gaza, while protecting the hostages by evacuating the population and destroying the terrorist infrastructure.
Yesterday it was reported that Netanyahu received a "green light" from US President Donald Trump to go on a tree-cutting spree in the Gaza Strip - and aligned himself with the demands of Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. The Prime Minister's Office claims that it is not possible to release the hostages in a deal, partial or total, and believes that in the current situation Israel does not have time for encirclement and attrition, as the army suggests, because the hostages could die of starvation.
In addition, Israel understands that Hamas will not agree to conditions that talk about disarmament, disarmament, and exile - which would lead to it continuing to control the Strip and not all the hostages being returned. However, occupying the Strip would inevitably require Israel to enter sensitive places where hostages are held, with an emphasis on the camps in the center and Gaza City.
In addition, the move will also require a large amount of manpower from the IDF, in light of the growing distress on the issue. In this context, only yesterday was a significant decision made on the issue of manpower, and the IDF reversed itself and canceled the demand from the commando unit fighters, which
Revealed in Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth
, to sign another permanent term due to the shortage of soldiers and the attrition of fighters.
After the intense activity in the Gaza Strip, if the plan is indeed implemented and Hamas is defeated, it will be easier for the Americans to advance steps to rebuild Gaza. The American administration was convinced that there would be no deal with Hamas, and therefore Trump approved the move in question. However, it is still possible that this is an exercise designed to convey a message to Hamas - that this is its last chance. Therefore, there is still a chance that the terrorist organization will announce that it accepts the deal, although it is not particularly high. A senior official said last night that Netanyahu hopes that Hamas will return to the negotiating table -"but the threat is real."
