Israel’s military chief has signed off on the “main concept” for a full-scale conquest of Gaza, the IDF confirmed Wednesday, moving ahead with plans the Cabinet has been pushing despite his earlier reservations. The approval came during a meeting with the IDF General Staff forum, Shin Bet officials, and senior commanders, and the military stressed it was “in accordance with the guidance of the political echelon.”
The discussion also covered recent operations, including an assault in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood, and emphasized raising troop readiness, preparing reserves, and building in a short pause before the next round of missions. Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir had previously urged an encirclement strategy instead of a complete occupation, warning of risks to hostages and the strain on forces, but the Cabinet rejected that approach. Defense Minister Israel Katz argued Hamas’s refusal to negotiate left no choice but decisive military action.
The move comes against the backdrop of growing tensions between Katz and Zamir over stalled military appointments. Katz accused Zamir of bypassing established consultation protocols and harming officers’ careers, while the IDF said the Chief of Staff is responsible for naming appointments first, with the Defense Minister approving or rejecting them afterward. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir went further, calling on Katz to fire Zamir if he did not cut ties with “far-left political advisers” and drop his resistance to the Gaza plan.
Katz’s office says he won’t review Zamir’s proposed appointments for at least two weeks, citing the need to set clear policy principles first. The IDF countered that Zamir has spent a month trying to schedule a meeting with Katz, who repeatedly postponed — delaying promotions and holding up the careers of combat officers and their teams.
