Escalating Disputes Within Israeli Leadership Over Gaza Occupation and Intensification of Strikes

SadaNews - Amid the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip, the Israeli political and military leadership is experiencing sharp divisions regarding the field and tactical options. The Chief of Staff of the Israeli occupation army, Eyal Zamir, expressed his reservations about the option of occupying Gaza, warning of significant human losses, while the Prime Minister of the occupation, Benjamin Netanyahu, insists on moving forward with this option. This comes amid the refusal of the head of the Israeli Air Force to intensify airstrikes, and threats from the leader of the Democrats party to close Israel until new elections are held, if Netanyahu's government continues to ignore the military leadership.

The Israeli Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, stated: "It is the right of the Chief of Staff to express his position, but after decisions are made by the political level, the army must execute the tasks required of it, until achieving the war objectives," defending Zamir's decisions by saying: "I urge Zamir not to resign, he is the only rational voice in the cabinet."

Israeli broadcasting authority reported from military sources that "any large-scale operation to occupy Gaza could lead to the deaths of dozens of soldiers and injure a large number of them."

The source added: "The Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, Eyal Zamir, will present to the cabinet the army's recommendations with reservations regarding the option to occupy the Gaza Strip."

Israeli media quoted an Israeli source saying Netanyahu supports the occupation of Gaza and is not convinced by the plan presented by the Chief of Staff regarding the siege of the city of Gaza and the central camps.

Dispute in Military Leadership Over Intensification of Strikes on Gaza

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth revealed a dispute in the Israeli army leadership concerning the intensification of airstrikes on Gaza.

It reported: "The head of the Air Force rejects the demands of the Southern Brigade to intensify airstrikes on Gaza."

Israeli Party Leader Threatens with "Closure Until Elections"

The leader of the Democrats party in Israel threatened with "closing Israel until elections" if Netanyahu's government ignores the military leadership.

The Israeli broadcasting authority had earlier mentioned the emergence of a dispute between Netanyahu and the Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir during security consultations, indicating that the latter warned Netanyahu of a "trap" in the Gaza Strip.