Zamir Considers Resigning if a Prisoner Swap Deal with Hamas Fails

SadaNews - The Chief of Staff of the Israeli occupation army, Eyal Zamir, is considering resigning from his position amid an ongoing crisis between him and the political echelon, particularly if no agreement is reached for a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner swap deal with Hamas, especially since this will escalate the crisis between the two sides.

According to the 'Ynet' website on Friday evening, "there is a real crisis between Zamir and the political level, surpassing what reports discuss regarding humiliation in the cabinet and the reckless statements of ministers".

It pointed out that if a prisoner swap deal is reached, there will be a temporary truce on this front as well (between Zamir and the political echelon), but if a deal is not concluded, then the crisis will worsen, potentially reaching a point where the Chief of Staff of the Israeli army considers his continuation in his position.

'Ynet' reported that everyone is waiting for a decision regarding the next direction, whether it be a deal or positioning along the defense lines or occupation. This does not mean there will be a decision, especially since the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, usually prefers the other option of not making a decision, in which case Zamir will have to make the decision himself.

Zamir presented a plan to the ministers to continue the war, which entails significantly reducing army forces and positioning them in suitable defensive lines inside the Gaza Strip, allowing for continued raids on Hamas sites and the shooting and killing of "saboteurs", while all entrances to Gaza at sea and on land will be under army control, thus no one can enter or exit on a 360-degree basis; according to what 'Ynet' reported.

In this context, Zamir conducted a field tour on Friday to assess the situation in the Gaza Strip with the Southern Command leader, the commander of the 162nd Division, and others from military brigades. He said, "I estimate that we will know in the coming days whether we will succeed in reaching a partial deal for the release of hostages. If that does not happen, then the fighting will continue without a truce."

He added, "You have achieved remarkable and unprecedented achievements within the framework of Operation 'Gideon's Chariots'. Everywhere you operated, you decisively resolved confrontations with the enemy and systematically struck 'terrorist' infrastructures above and below ground."

Zamir considered that "the war continues and we will adjust it to the changing reality according to our interests. The achievements you have accomplished grant us operational flexibility. We will continue to adapt and prepare appropriately, working to utilize our budget, reduce our operational weaknesses, and lessen attrition, and we will put Hamas in increasing distress."

He continued, "Thanks to clearing the control lines in the Gaza Strip, we have created a security area that enables operational opportunities, including strong protection for our towns and the ability to carry out a continuous series of offensive operations. The offensive effort will be based on intelligence, precise fire, and ground operations designed to systematically harm Hamas until achieving the war's objectives, and we will reduce the depletion of our forces and will not fall into Hamas's traps."

Zamir claimed that "the false campaign about starving these days is a deliberate, coordinated, and false attempt to accuse the army of committing war crimes. The responsibility for the killing and suffering of the population in the Gaza Strip lies with Hamas," alleging that "the army and its leaders operate in an ethical and responsible manner and according to the values of the army and international law."