Gantz defends IOF chief over Gaza occupation rejection
3 Min Read
Benny Gantz criticizes attacks on IOF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir amid growing tensions in "Israel" over Gaza occupation strategy, as ministers push for full-scale military control.
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Israeli politician Benny Gantz speaks with the media on a viewpoint near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 (AP)
Blue and White-National Unity chairman Benny Gantz has criticized cabinet ministers for their "unrestrained attacks" on IOF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, following reports that Zamir opposed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to push for the occupation of Gaza.
Gantz emphasized in an X post that while the Israeli chief of staff operates under the authority of the political leadership, as has always been the case in "Israel", he is not a mere puppet or a passive figure who blindly approves decisions. He further suggested that rather than resorting to threats and complaints, the political leadership should reflect on the fact that the issue stems from their own decisions, not from the military's actions.
Earlier on Tuesday, Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir asserted that the military chief is obligated to follow the directives of the political leadership regardless of personal disagreements, as divisions within the security cabinet surfaced over whether to intensify military action in Gaza or prioritize further negotiations for a hostage agreement.
“The chief of staff is required to state clearly that he will fully comply with the directives of the political echelon, even if a decision is made for conquest and decisive action,” Ben-Gvir, the far-right minister who is advocating for the occupation of Gaza, said in a post on X.
Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir is anticipated to outline revised military strategies during a restricted security discussion with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scheduled for later today.
Rift grows between military, political leadership in 'Israel'
According to a report by Channel 14 on Monday, sources close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that a decision had been reached to pursue a full-scale military occupation of the Gaza Strip, with the sources further stating that IOF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir would be expected to step down if he did not support the move.
Kan 11 broadcaster reported that Netanyahu’s office, during a recent briefing, stressed the prime minister’s unwavering commitment to a full occupation of Gaza, describing it as critical to ending the war with Hamas, while government ministers revealed that the security cabinet would soon meet to formalize the decision.
During private deliberations, Zamir cautioned that maintaining an extended ground operation in Gaza would expose Israeli troops to greater risks, align with Hamas' strategic goals, and lead to heightened military attrition.
Given the current circumstances, military officials are preparing to offer the political echelon two alternative courses of action should negotiations fail: a comprehensive occupation of Gaza, which the senior command opposes, or a sustained siege and attrition strategy favored by the defense establishment.
