The Israeli military may soon be tasked with implementing a major shift in Gaza strategy, as Defence Minister Israel Katz made it clear on Wednesday that once political decisions are taken, the army is expected to carry them out, regardless of internal disagreements.
This comes amid reports of growing divisions within Israel’s leadership over the possibility of a full-scale occupation of the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly preparing to announce a new phase in the conflict with Hamas, which began following the deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
While Netanyahu has insisted that Hamas must be completely defeated to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza, military officials appear to have reservations about the proposed approach. Israeli media, citing unnamed officials, suggest the government may soon escalate operations, including in highly populated areas such as Gaza City and surrounding refugee camps, where hostages are believed to be located.
According to public broadcaster KAN, army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned during a high-level security meeting on Tuesday that a full occupation of Gaza could be disastrous, describing it as “walking into a trap.” Zamir reportedly proposed alternative tactics, including surrounding key areas believed to be Hamas strongholds, as reported by Channel 12.
However, Defence Minister Katz responded firmly, stating that while military leaders are entitled to express their views during discussions, the army’s role is ultimately to carry out the decisions made by the political leadership with determination and professionalism.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to convene the security cabinet on Thursday to finalise the direction of the offensive, according to local reports.
Former US President Donald Trump, when asked about Israel’s reported plans to occupy Gaza, said he was unaware of the details but noted that any such decision rests with Israel.
Israel has been at war with Hamas since the surprise cross-border attack in October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people in Israel, most of them civilians. The country now faces increasing pressure to bring the war to an end, especially with 49 hostages still unaccounted for in Gaza. Of those, 20 are believed to be alive.
The issue of Israeli hostages remains a top priority for the government. On Tuesday, the United Nations Security Council held a special session to discuss their plight. International attention was further drawn by the release of a disturbing video showing one of the hostages, Evyatar David, appearing emaciated and allegedly digging his own grave. Trump described the footage as “horrible.”
At the same time, humanitarian concerns continue to mount. More than two million Palestinians in Gaza remain dependent on aid, and the United Nations has warned that widespread famine is looming.
On Wednesday, the Gaza civil defence agency reported that at least 22 people died in the Nuseirat area after an aid truck overturned. According to spokesperson Mahmud Bassal, the truck was navigating damaged roads under Israeli military orders when the incident occurred, leading to a deadly crush among those waiting for food.
The Hamas-run government in Gaza accused Israel of deliberately impeding the safe delivery of aid. The Israeli military said it was reviewing the incident.
Although Israel slightly eased its blockade on Gaza at the end of May, aid agencies and the United Nations continue to describe the amount of aid entering the territory by land and air as severely inadequate.
The Israeli offensive in response to the October 7 attack has so far claimed more than 61,000 lives in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry. The United Nations considers these numbers broadly credible.
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