Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Russian Ministry of Defense: 37 Ukrainian drones destroyed in 4 hours over regions of Russia and the Black Sea.
Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
Sheikh Qassem: There will be no phased handing in of our arms. [The Israelis] must first enact the agreement before we start talking about a defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: Be brave in the face of foreign pressures, and we will be by your side in this stance.
Sheikh Qassem: Stripping us of our arms is like stripping us of our very soul, and this will prompt us to show them our might.
Sheikh Qassem: We will not abandon our arms, for they gave us dignity; we will not abandon our arms, for they protect us against our enemy.
Sheikh Qassem: The US efforts we are seeing are aimed at sabotaging Lebanon and constitute a call for sedition.
Sheikh Qassem: If you truly want to establish sovereignty and work for Lebanon’s interests, then stop the aggression.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States, which is meddling in Lebanon, is not trustworthy but rather poses a danger to it.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States is preventing the weapons that protect the homeland.

Netanyahu Shin Bet pick opposed prisoner swap deal, stirring outrage

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Israeli Media
  • 24 May 2025 23:24
  • 1 Shares
5 Min Read

PM Netanyahu’s appointment of Maj. Gen. David Zini as Shin Bet chief has triggered fierce criticism from hostage families and top military figures, after reports surfaced that Zini opposes any ceasefire or captives deal in Gaza.

Listen
  • x
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Yad LaBanim Memorial in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, on April 29, 2025 (AP)
    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Yad LaBanim Memorial in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, on April 29, 2025 (AP)

A reported comment by Maj. Gen. David Zini, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial pick to head the Shin Bet, has sparked outrage among families of captives held in Gaza, after he allegedly voiced opposition to a Gaza ceasefire and a captives deal. 

According to Channel 12, Zini stated in a closed Israeli occupation forces (IOF) session: “I’m against hostage deals. This is an eternal war.” The timing and exact wording remain unconfirmed, but the quote has resurfaced now that Zini is set to play a key role in negotiations. 

Netanyahu announced Zini’s appointment on Thursday, bypassing Attorney General opposition and reportedly selecting him after a brief, informal conversation during a visit to the Tzeelim base. The move came just one day after the High Court ruled Netanyahu could not dismiss current Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, who is set to resign next month. 

Zini 'lacks intelligence background'

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called the reported remarks “horrifying and contemptible,” with relatives of captives expressing deep distrust in Zini. Critics argue the selection reflects Netanyahu’s personal political agenda, especially given Zini’s lack of an intelligence background. 

IOF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who was not consulted in the decision, reportedly reprimanded Zini for engaging with the prime minister without authorization and voiced concerns over his qualifications. Zini was relieved of his military post Friday but is expected to take over the Shin Bet unless the High Court intervenes. 

Netanyahu prolonged war, jeopardized captives

Former Israeli Chief of Staff and National Unity lawmaker Gadi Eisenkot also urged Zini to reject the appointment, warning that Netanyahu has jeopardized hostage rescue efforts and prolonged the war through erratic leadership. In an open letter, Eisenkot advised Zini to wait for legal clarity and allow for a more qualified candidate to be selected with broader consensus. 

Related News

Israeli strikes kill displaced Palestinians across Gaza

Trump claims Gaza war to end in weeks, despite ongoing Israeli assault

“Zini, I commanded you for most of your military service. I appreciate your operational capabilities and your courage,” Eisenkot wrote. “But I also know you have the wisdom to do the right thing.” 

He called on Zini to act “in the interest of the state, even at personal cost,” and to allow for a more qualified candidate to be chosen through a process that enjoys national consensus, especially in a period he described as one of the “longest and most difficult wars in Israel’s history.” 

Unless blocked by the High Court, Zini is expected to replace Ronen Bar next month, raising critical questions about the independence of Israeli intelligence services and the government’s commitment to securing the release of the remaining hostages. 

War on Gaza cover for Netanyahu 

Nearly 20 months after October 7, 2023, "Israel’s" Gaza war has reached a critical juncture, argues former Prime Minister Ehud Barak in an opinion piece published by the Financial Times.

In a sharply worded critique, Barak denounces the continuation of the war as a “strategic disaster,” urging Israeli leadership to pursue urgent political clarity and moral responsibility.

Barak lays out two choices: either reach a deal that secures the release of all remaining captives and ends the war, or continue pursuing what he calls the illusion of “total victory” over Hamas through military force. He warns that renewed fighting in Gaza is not only futile but endangers the remaining captives and deepens the humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip.

Barak contends that reaching a captive deal would overwhelmingly serve "Israel’s national interest." It would bring captives home, halt the destruction, ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and unlock prospects for "regional diplomacy". He envisions a future where "Israel" could engage in initiatives such as "normalized relations with Saudi Arabia and participation in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor."

International pressure mounts on Israeli leadership

According to Barak, global patience is running thin. US President Donald Trump reportedly warned Netanyahu, “We will abandon you if you do not end this war.” Allies, including France, the UK, and Canada, have demanded a ceasefire and restoration of humanitarian aid. The UK has already paused trade negotiations.

Barak sees this external pressure as an opportunity, not a threat, for "Israel" to change course and secure what he described as long-term regional gains.

Despite the destruction, Barak insists a workable plan for postwar Gaza remains possible.

Barak blames the current crisis on Netanyahu’s political motives and longstanding strategic miscalculations.

He accuses Netanyahu of ignoring a core military tenet shared by thinkers like Clausewitz and Kissinger, which stipulates that war must serve a clear political objective. Instead, Barak argues, Netanyahu has weaponized the war to protect his own position. “The prime minister is not acting in the national interest; he is acting purely for self-preservation. Every other argument is a smokescreen.”

  • Israel
  • Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Ronen Bar
  • Eyal Zamir
  • Gaza
  • Gaza Strip
  • Israeli occupation
  • Gadi Eizenkot
  • David Zini

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Almost instantly after the Helsinki Accords were signed, organisations sprouted to document purported violations, whose findings were fed to overseas embassies for international amplification. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

How ‘Human Rights’ became a Western weapon

  • Opinion
  • 23 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025
Launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen toward the occupied Palestinian territories. (YAF military media)

Yemeni Forces announce firing hypersonic missile at Al-Lydd Airport

  • Politics
  • 22 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS