Tensions Rise in Security Cabinet Over Military Strategy in Gaza
Clash of Opinions in the Cabinet Meeting
A heated confrontation unfolded during a recent Security Cabinet meeting in Israel, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir clashed over military strategies regarding the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The discussion centered on the potential return to military operations should negotiations for hostage release and ceasefire fail.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), accusing it of failing to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching Hamas. In response, Zamir defended the military’s actions, stating, “We are doing exactly what you have tasked us with. I recommend that you choose your words carefully-let’s not forget that our soldiers are falling in battle.”
Netanyahu’s Directive for Population Evacuation
Amidst the tensions, Netanyahu instructed Zamir to prepare a comprehensive evacuation plan for Gaza’s civilian population to the southern region of the territory. Smotrich proposed a blockade of northern Gaza as a strategy to undermine Hamas’s control. However, Zamir countered this argument by emphasizing the challenges of imposing military governance over Gaza’s two million residents.
“You want a military regime,” Zamir stated. “The IDF cannot govern two million people. Who will manage Gaza?” In a visibly agitated tstart, Netanyahu responded, “The IDF and the state. I do not want military governance, but I want to relocate them to a large civilian space. I will not allow Hamas to remain in any form in Gaza.”
Concerns Over Civilian Control and Military Action
Zamir expressed concerns over the risk of losing control should military operations lead to unrest among the Gazan population. He highlighted, “Managing people who are hungry and agitated could result in violence against our forces. We do not want to reach that point.” Netanyahu stressed the urgency of having an evacuation plan ready for review upon his return from the United States.
The meeting also sparked a separate dispute regarding budget allocations for emergency plans amidst tensions with Iran, with Smotrich accusing Ministry of Defense officials of undermining him.
Frequent Cabinet Conflicts on Security Issues
The Security Cabinet has become a battleground for conflicting views on military strategy, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Recently, both Smotrich and Ben Gvir expressed outrage over Zamir’s warnings that continued military action threatens the safety of hostages. Smotrich asserted, “We are not prepared to abandon an entire state. The IDF is directing the political echelon on what to decide.”
This ongoing discord reflects the complexities of Israel’s military and political landscape as the government grapples with balancing military action and humanitarian considerations in the volatile region of Gaza