Haaretz has described Netanyahu’s threats as “a desperate attempt to bring Hamas back to the negotiating table.”
Israeli media reports indicate that a potential plan to occupy the Gaza Strip, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is working on, is facing internal opposition, with significant tension developing between the military and political leadership, according to an Al-Jazeera report.
Netanyahu’s plans could include occupying the entire besieged enclave and carrying out operations in areas where Israeli captives are believed to be held.
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The prime minister held a security meeting on Tuesday, during which Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir presented options for continuing the military operation in Gaza, the report stated, adding that Netanyahu’s office said the army is ready to implement any decision made by the security cabinet.
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority quoted a source as saying that the security establishment opposes any ground operation in areas where captives are located, the report noted.
Heated Meeting
The Israeli Walla news website confirmed that Zamir did not change his position during Tuesday’s meeting regarding the plan to occupy the entire enclave. The Broadcasting Authority said that the military leader warned Netanyahu of a trap in the Strip.
Al-Jazeera reported that, according to the Broadcasting Authority, the Prime Minister asked the Chief of Staff to present his plan for occupying Gaza during the meeting. Zamir became angry and said he had already presented it. Netanyahu ended the discussion with Zamir and asked him to make improvements to the plan for Gaza and resubmit it.
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— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) August 6, 2025
The Broadcasting Authority revealed that Zamir addressed the media attacks against him, and that Netanyahu warned him against threatening to resign in the media.
Zamir reportedly asked, “Why are you attacking me and leaking news against me in the midst of a war? And why is your son writing against me?” referring to a post written by Netanyahu’s son Yair criticizing the Chief of Staff.
Netanyahu responded, “Don’t threaten to resign in the media. I don’t accept you threatening to resign every time if we don’t accept your plans. My son Yair is a mature person and responsible for himself.”
‘Strategic Trap’
Israel’s Channel 13 reported that Netanyahu told Zamir that the political echelon decides on the occupation of the entire Gaza Strip. The report stated that in response, Zamir warned that occupation would be a strategic trap and a danger to the captives.
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Citing a source, the Jerusalem Post reported that Zamir’s opposition to an occupation of Gaza does not mean he will not implement it if decided, according to Al Jazeera.
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz stressed that the Chief of Staff has the right to express his position, but the army will implement the decisions of the political leadership.
Loss of Soldiers
The Broadcasting Authority also quoted military sources as saying that launching a campaign to occupy Gaza could result in dozens of Israeli soldiers being killed and wounded, while former Israeli National Security Adviser Eyal Hulata said that occupying the Strip would cause significant international damage to Israel.
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On the other hand, an Israeli government official questioned Netanyahu’s seriousness in his desire to occupy all of Gaza, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
“I doubt that Netanyahu truly wants to conquer the Strip,” a government source was quoted as saying, adding “He looked worse than usual at the last cabinet meeting. It’s obvious that he’s under a heavy burden.”
‘Desperate Attempt’
Haaretz described Netanyahu’s threats as “a desperate attempt to bring Hamas back to the negotiating table.”
The paper said that for over a year now, the Israeli premier “has been promising ‘total victory’ over Hamas and that instead of “cutting losses and saving what and whoever can still be saved, he’s still flaunting that same check with no cover. And now he’s trying to raise the ante.”
However, it noted, that there “is a real chance that the threats will ultimately become a blood-soaked reality.”
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It stated that Zamir’s opposition to a move that “knowingly sacrifices the lives” of captives “is absolutely required.”
According to Haaretz, assessments are that Netanyahu “will not go as far as ousting the chief of staff, and that the two will reach understandings regarding a limited military move, in order to present a strong stance against Hamas.”
Such moves, however, the paper stated, “have a tendency to run into trouble, and as we’ve learned over the last three years, Netanyahu has no red lines.”
Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the security cabinet will hold another meeting on Thursday to discuss the proposal to occupy the entire enclave.
(PC, AJA)
