Eyal Zamir rejects Gaza takeover plan amid hostage crisis

In Israel, the military leadership is experiencing intense debate over the next steps regarding Gaza. Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Israel's chief of staff, has voiced strong opposition to a full military takeover of Gaza, advocating instead for the Witkoff plan aimed at negotiating the release of hostages. Recent decisions made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have led to tension between military and political strategies, highlighting a divergence of views on how to handle the ongoing conflict. Zamir's concerns stem from the risks noted during the Tel Sultan incident, where hostages were executed amid military action. The Tel Sultan incident illustrated the potential dangers of launching ground maneuvers without exhausting diplomatic avenues first. Since the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are prepared for action, Zamir recommends adopting a strategic framework that involves negotiations for hostages rather than military escalation. This viewpoint is backed by insights that military pressure has led Hamas to consider conditions similar to those from the Witkoff framework established in July 2024. The Israeli cabinet has been somewhat divided over the appropriate pathway forward. While Netanyahu insists that military rule is not the goal, he believes that a more aggressive stance towards Hamas is necessary to compel their compliance. Despite the Prime Minister's stance, sources have indicated that military leaders have expressed concerns that such initiatives might further jeopardize hostages. Cabinet members have noted that aggressive actions, including airstrikes against Hamas leadership during negotiations, have hindered chances for a peaceful resolution. The tension reflects not only a tactical divergence but also an underlying struggle for influence between military command and political objectives in the current Israeli administration. Advocates for a negotiated resolution warn of the potential fallout from continued aggression, emphasizing the need for a political process to address the broader implications of the conflict in Gaza moving forward.