Escalating political and military rift in the occupied territories

Eyal Zamir, Chief of Staff of the Israeli military, is reportedly considering resigning if the Gaza ceasefire negotiations fail.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Zamir has reached a critical crossroads in his relationship with the political leadership, and if the deadlock continues, resignation may be his only option.

The Israeli daily reported that this disagreement goes beyond routine institutional friction, noting that some cabinet ministers have made insulting remarks about the army during cabinet sessions.

Hebrew-language Channel 12 also reported that Zamir has grown weary of the political-military divide and has urged the cabinet to make clear decisions regarding the continuation of the Gaza war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refrained from committing to decisive policies, placing the full burden of the Gaza situation on the military’s shoulders.

The rift centers on the fate of Israeli captives in Gaza and the continuation of military operations without a clear political roadmap.

Earlier, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Zamir clashed during a meeting of the regime’s security cabinet. In that meeting, the Chief of Staff reportedly said that a full occupation of Gaza would take several years, and for now, the regime should settle for limited operations.

These remarks angered Smotrich, who lashed out at Zamir, saying: “We already miss Herzi Halevi [former Chief of Staff]; you should apologize to him — you attacked him for exactly these kinds of statements.”

Zamir’s decision to consider resignation comes only a few months after he took up the post of Chief of Staff.

Before Zamir, Herzi Halevi served as the regime’s Chief of Staff but resigned after accepting responsibility for Israel’s failure during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.