Mossad and Shin Bet oppose Gaza occupation plan

The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Saturday, citing its sources, that all heads of the security apparatus either opposed or expressed caution regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to occupy the Gaza Strip during Thursday night’s meeting of the limited political–security cabinet.

The paper added that the Mossad chief and the Shin Bet deputy both voiced their opposition to the plan.

In the same context, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Tzachi Hanegbi, head of the Israeli National Security Council, opposed Netanyahu’s Gaza plan during the cabinet session.

He told cabinet ministers: “I am not prepared to abandon the rescue of the hostages. I fully agree with the Chief of Staff that taking control of Gaza City would endanger their lives; therefore, I oppose the prime minister’s proposal.”

Eyal Zamir, the Chief of Staff of the Israeli military, also expressed his “strong opposition” to occupying the Gaza Strip during the cabinet meeting, telling ministers that such an occupation and clearing of the area would take between one and two years.

According to Israel’s Channel 13, Zamir stated that the first stage alone would last five months, until early 2026.

He further warned that an assault on Gaza City, coupled with the destruction of civilian infrastructure, would result in a humanitarian catastrophe and could also endanger the Israeli hostages held in the area.

Zamir added during the meeting that “our forces are exhausted, military equipment requires maintenance, and there are humanitarian and health-related challenges.”

Despite all these warnings, the Israeli cabinet approved the plan to occupy Gaza City during Thursday night’s session — deepening the rift between the regime’s political leadership and its military and security establishments.