After Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir met with Prime Minister on Tuesday, reports in Israeli media have indicated Zamir expressed concern over Netanyahu’s reported plan to fully occupy the Gaza Strip.
According to public broadcaster Kan, Zamir warned such move would be like “walking into a trap.”
Unnamed Israeli officials also told Reuters news agency that Zamir warned pushing into areas of Gaza not already under Israeli control could result in harm to the remaining hostages.
After Tuesday’s meeting Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that the prime minister and Zamir held a three-hour “limited security discussion,” during which the army chief presented “the options for continuing the campaign in Gaza.” No further details were shared.
Netyanyahu has not publicly commented on reports that he is leaning towards a full occupation of Gaza. Such a move would have to be approved by Israel’s security cabinet, which is due to meet on Thursday after a meeting slated for Tuesday was postponed.
Israel debates expanding Gaza war
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday said that while the head of the IDF has the right to voice his concerns, the military would carry out any decision made by the government.
“Once decisions are made by the political echelon, the IDF will execute them with determination and professionalism,” Katz posted on X.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said he met Netanyahu on Wednesday, and warned that “occupying Gaza is a very bad idea… operationally, morally and economically.” Lapid has insisted that the Israeli public does not want a full occupation of Gaza.
Much of the Gaza Strip currently lies in ruins after almost that started after the terrorist attack by Palestinian militant group and its affiliate groups on Israel’s south in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people, with over 250 taken hostage.
Much of the Gaza’s basic infrastructure has been destroyed, including hospitals, schools and mosques.
Netanyahu is under international pressure to secure a ceasefire, . Hamas and fellow Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad are still holding 50 Israeli hostages, with some 20 of them believed to be still alive.
But the latest ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have borne no fruit, and Gazans continues to suffer from lack of food, medicine and other basic necessities. The UN and international aid organizations insist .
Close to 200 people have died from starvation in the Gaza since the war began, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Some 60,000 people have been killed since the fighting began.
On Wednesday, the IDF called for evacuations in parts of Gaza City, in the north, and Khan Yunis in the south, where a spokesman said ground troops were preparing to “expand the scope of combat operations.”
Edited by: Wesley Rahn
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