Reported remarks by "Israel's" designated Shin Bet chief Maj. Gen. David Zini have drawn sharp criticism from captive families and legal officials, raising concerns over his stance on captive negotiations and deepening the ongoing Shin Bet leadership crisis.

According to a Channel 12 report on Saturday night, Zini expressed opposition to prioritizing the return of captives held in the Gaza Strip, reportedly telling former Israeli military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, “You prioritize the return of the hostages over destroying Hamas.”

Sources cited in the report said Zini has made repeated remarks against negotiating deals for the captives’ return.

“I’m against hostage deals. This is an eternal war,” Zini told colleagues in the military, according to Channel 12.

Read more: Israelis say Netanyahu endangering captives' lives for political gain

Captive families outraged over Zini's reported comments

Zini’s remarks have drawn condemnation from Israeli captive families’ groups, who accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to appoint a security chief opposed to captive release deals.

The backlash comes following the dismissal of Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, who had previously secured several such agreements.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said it was "furious" over Zini’s reported stance, calling it “especially concerning” given his potential role in determining the fate of the remaining captives.

The group warned that appointing a Shin Bet leader "who puts Netanyahu’s war before the return of the hostages piles sin upon the crime and does injustice to the entire people of Israel, harms the value of fellowship, and the sacred duty of leaving no one behind."

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Captive groups urge annulling Zini’s appointment

Forum Haim, another group representing families of those still held in Gaza, demanded the cancellation of Zini’s appointment, highlighting that dozens of captives had already been killed in captivity and emphasizing that only a negotiated agreement could ensure the safe return of the remaining 58 Israelis.

“Mr. Abandonment Netanyahu chose to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet, who returned dozens of abductees, and appoint in his place someone who opposes the agreements for their return, contrary to the demand of the majority of the Israeli public to end the war and return the hostages,” the group indicated.

Read more: Israeli bombs nearly killed me, blockade left me starving: Ex-captive

Netanyahu faces legal hurdles in Shin Bet chief appointment

The controversy also intersects with a legal dispute over Netanyahu’s authority to appoint a new Shin Bet chief. The High Court of Justice ruled last week that Netanyahu had a conflict of interest in dismissing Ronen Bar, given the Shin Bet’s involvement in criminal investigations into Netanyahu’s associates.

Following the ruling, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara instructed Netanyahu to refrain from making any appointment until a full legal review was completed. Despite this, Netanyahu’s office announced Zini’s appointment on Thursday.

On Friday, Netanyahu's office defended the decision, claiming that Zini would not be involved in investigations tied to Netanyahu’s staff or their alleged links to Qatar.

Criticism from military, Gaza border settlers

Additional criticism of Zini has come from senior Israeli military officers, some of whom served with him in the Golani Brigade. Speaking to Channel 13, they expressed doubts about his suitability to head the Shin Bet, stating that while he is "an excellent commander," he lacks the temperament and political judgment required for the role.

Channel 13 also reported that Zini told settlers of Gaza border communities during a recent meeting that it was their responsibility to ensure attacks, such as the Palestinian Resistance's October 7 operation, did not recur.

“Anyone who lives on the borders has a responsibility…You are the ones who need to be vigilant. That is your job,” the general was quoted as saying.

The remarks, which were delivered during a presentation of findings from the October 7 investigation, angered many among those present, who felt Zini had deflected blame and shown a lack of empathy.

Zini's appointment in limbo amid legal review

Zini, who had been leading the Israeli military's Training Command and General Staff Corps, was removed from his post on Friday for holding an unauthorized meeting with Netanyahu, bypassing the current Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

According to Kan public broadcaster, even individuals close to Netanyahu estimate that there is a 50% chance the Shin Bet leadership change will proceed, given the legal complexities and political pressure.