Israeli government and military clash over plan for a full Gaza occupation

A crisis has emerged between the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the military over a plan for the complete occupation of Gaza.

According to a report from Channel 12, Netanyahu will hold a limited-participation security meeting today to discuss military plans for Gaza.

Defense Minister Israel Katz, Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, and Head of the Army’s Operations Directorate Maj. Gen. Itzik Cohen are expected to attend.

During the meeting, Chief of Staff Zamir is anticipated to present Netanyahu with a series of operational options on how to continue the war in Gaza. The purpose of the meeting is to shape the final military plan that Netanyahu will present to the broader cabinet later this week.

‘We are moving towards a full occupation of Gaza’

Meanwhile, a senior official close to Netanyahu, speaking to Ynet News last night, stated, “The die is cast; we are moving towards a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.” The same official added that operations would be conducted even in areas where hostages are held, arguing that Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who opposes this plan, should resign.

It is alleged that Netanyahu has directly used the phrase “occupation of Gaza” in private meetings with some ministers in recent days. This expression represents a significant hardening of the government’s rhetoric. Currently, the Israeli army controls approximately 75% of Gaza. If the new plan is implemented, the entire territory is intended to fall under Israeli military control.

However, this step carries significant risks, both militarily and humanitarianly. The potential humanitarian consequences of operations in areas where millions of civilians live in Gaza, and the possible disruption of aid organizations’ activities, are causing serious concern.

The Israeli military, on the other hand, openly opposes the complete occupation of Gaza. According to army sources, completely destroying Hamas’s military infrastructure could take years. Furthermore, operations in areas where hostages are held carry the risk of their being killed.

For these reasons, it is known that Chief of Staff Zamir is not receptive to Netanyahu’s occupation plan. Amid intense pressure, Zamir canceled his planned visit to the US this week. According to Israeli sources, the reason for this cancellation is both the failure to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the unresolved issue of the hostages.

Deep division in the cabinet: Occupation or ceasefire?

There are serious disagreements within the Israeli security cabinet regarding Gaza policy. According to Channel 12, while Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have not yet made a final decision, Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Military Secretary Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, and Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs are among those who advocate for a full occupation.

In contrast, Chief of Staff Zamir, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Shas leader Aryeh Deri, Mossad Director David Barnea, National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, and retired Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon, who is handling the hostage file, argue that priority should be given to a ceasefire and a hostage exchange.

Yair Netanyahu blames Katz for Zamir’s appointment

The appointment process of Chief of Staff Zamir, one of the central figures in the debate, has also become a topic of controversy. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s son, Yair Netanyahu, claimed in a post on the social media platform X that Zamir’s appointment was made at the insistence of Defense Minister Israel Katz.

This statement by Yair Netanyahu shows that the tension between the army and the government is deepening not only on a political level but also on a personal one.

Yair Netanyahu also reacted to a comment by Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper’s military correspondent, Yossi Yehoshua, about the need to clearly explain the occupation plan to the public. He likened such statements to a “military coup attempt” and indirectly blamed Zamir.

Lapid: “Discussions should remain behind closed doors”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid has taken a more cautious approach to the disputes between the Israeli government and the army, stating that publicizing disagreements between the prime minister and the chief of staff could have dangerous consequences. “Soldiers should not think that a divided leadership is managing them,” said Lapid, emphasizing that such crises could have a negative impact on military morale.

All these developments indicate that Israel is entering a critical juncture that will determine its military and political future in Gaza. The division within the cabinet, the tension between the military and the political authority, and the public debate suggest that the decisions Netanyahu’s government will make in the coming days will have profound effects on both Israeli domestic politics and regional balances.