Tensions erupt between Smotrich and army chief over Gaza strategy
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Smotrich clashes with military chief Eyal Zamir over a Gaza invasion plan as the Israeli occupation forces warn that a full occupation could take years.
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Lawmakers attend a session of the Knesset, "Israel's" parliament, in occupied al-Quds, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP)
A sharp confrontation reportedly broke out between Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir during a meeting of the mini-security cabinet held Monday evening, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Tuesday.
The clash occurred as senior military officials discussed the future of the war on Gaza, with Zamir warning that a full occupation of the Gaza Strip would take years and suggesting that the army should focus, at this stage, on limited ground incursions instead.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Smotrich exploded in anger at Zamir’s remarks, accusing him of hypocrisy and lack of consistency: “We already miss [former Chief of Staff] Herzi Halevi. You owe him an apology… You attacked him for saying exactly the same thing!” Smotrich reportedly shouted.
Smotrich's frustration with Gaza war strategy deepens
The reported altercation is the latest sign of growing friction between Smotrich and "Israel’s" top military leadership, particularly regarding the direction and pace of military operations in Gaza.
The newspaper noted that Smotrich had previously clashed repeatedly with Herzi Halevi, and now appears to be adopting a similar confrontational stance toward Zamir, fueled by his dissatisfaction with the army’s Gaza strategy.
Smotrich, a key figure in the far-right coalition government, has pushed for a more aggressive and expansive campaign in Gaza, including the full reoccupation of the Strip and permanent control of the territory, a position opposed by sections of the Israeli military leadership, who view such moves as strategically and logistically unsustainable.
Military warns of prolonged campaign
During the meeting, Zamir’s assessment highlighted the operational risks and duration associated with a full-scale occupation. He advocated for continued, targeted ground operations to reduce resistance infrastructure, warning that attempting to seize and hold all of Gaza would require years of deployment and massive resources.
On July 23, the Israeli parliament passed a controversial bill claiming Israeli "sovereignty" over the West Bank and Jordan Valley, with the legislation receiving majority support from Knesset members.
The vote passed with 71 members supporting the measure and 13 opposing it, demonstrating the cohesion within the right-wing ruling coalition while also securing unexpected support from the opposition Yisrael Beiteinu party.
While the resolution itself holds no binding legal authority, its passage before a three-month legislative break reflects increasing political traction for "annexation policies". It follows the Knesset's 2024 rejection of Palestinian statehood and aligns with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's persistent efforts to formalize Israeli authority throughout the West Bank.
The Knesset's passage of this resolution has been met with unequivocal Palestinian rejection, as expressed by Resistance factions in their statements, while Palestinian Authority Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh also voiced the PA's opposition to this move, calling on international parties to recognize the State of Palestine as a political response to this decision.
