Israel’s top military commander, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, is reportedly opposing a full military takeover of Gaza and advocating for the Witkoff plan, a framework aimed at securing the release of hostages through negotiations. This stance has sparked internal debate within the Israeli government, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that seizing Gaza City is necessary to eliminate Hamas as a threat. The recent Tel Sultan incident, where Hamas executed six hostages, including American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, has intensified the discussion about the risks of a ground operation before reaching a deal.
Despite the military’s caution, Netanyahu has reiterated his position that Israel’s goal is to free Gaza from Hamas, emphasizing that the current operation is essential to ensure the release of the approximately 48 hostages still held in the territory. However, a former senior IDF official has stated that military pressure has already prompted Hamas to return to the Witkoff framework, which outlines a 60-day withdrawal in exchange for the release of 10 live hostages and 15 bodies. The chief of staff opposes military rule in Gaza and believes a political solution should be pursued to avoid the risks associated with a prolonged ground invasion.
The Israeli government, including the Prime Minister’s Office, has defended its strategy, with a spokesperson stating that the cabinet has decided to proceed with the operation plan presented by the chief of staff. Meanwhile, a recent Politico report suggested that the recent strike against Hamas’s leadership in Doha may have been an intentional move to hinder negotiations. The officials confirmed that the IDF chief of staff and Mossad director opposed the timing of the Qatar operation, arguing that the decision went against professional military advice.
Adding to the complexity, President Donald Trump issued a public warning to Hamas, accusing them of using hostages as human shields and threatening to withdraw U.S. support if the situation escalates. This further highlights the high-stakes nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the international implications of the ongoing military operations.