Post by : Minna

A serious disagreement has taken place in Israel between the country’s military chief and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The issue? Netanyahu wants to expand Israel’s control over all of Gaza. But the military warns that such a move could be dangerous — for both the soldiers and the hostages still held inside Gaza.

At a recent three-hour meeting, Israel’s top military leader, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, told the Prime Minister that capturing the rest of Gaza could trap Israeli forces in a long, dangerous battle. Zamir also warned that it might lead to more harm to the remaining hostages still held by Hamas and other militant groups.

This conversation comes as the war, which started in October 2023, enters its second year. The Israeli military says it already controls about 75% of Gaza. But the remaining areas are still filled with people, hostages, and Hamas fighters.

Why the Military Is Worried

Zamir and other military officials believe that taking full control of Gaza would put Israeli soldiers in even greater danger. It might also ruin the chances of rescuing the 50 remaining hostages, especially since experience shows Hamas uses civilians as human shields.

Also, the military does not support turning Gaza into an area ruled by Israeli forces. They have spoken out against rebuilding Jewish settlements in Gaza or annexing the land. These ideas are supported by some far-right politicians in the government, but not by the military leaders.

Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Right now, Gaza is in ruins. Most of the buildings have been destroyed. Around 2 million people live in Gaza, and almost all of them have been forced to leave their homes multiple times. Food, water, and medicine are very hard to find. Many aid groups say famine is close.

Over the past few weeks, videos have shown hostages who look extremely thin and weak. At least 20 of the 50 hostages are still believed to be alive. The suffering of the hostages has caused anger around the world.

More than 20 people died just this week when a truck believed to be carrying food overturned. A large crowd, desperate for food, had gathered around it.

So far, nearly 200 Palestinians — about half of them children — have died from hunger in Gaza since the war began.

International Pressure and Warnings

Leaders from around the world have asked Israel to agree to a ceasefire, but talks have gone nowhere. The latest round of discussions in Qatar broke down last month. Hamas wants a full end to the war as part of any deal. Israel says Hamas is not serious about giving up control of Gaza and must be defeated.

The United Nations has said reports about the possible expansion of Israel’s military operations are “deeply alarming.” Aid workers warn that more fighting in crowded areas will bring more death and destruction.

Even inside Israel, people are starting to speak up. Opposition leader Yair Lapid met with Netanyahu and later told reporters that most of the public no longer supports continuing the war. A recent public poll showed that many Israelis prefer a diplomatic deal that would bring home the hostages and end the conflict.

Netanyahu Faces Pressure From All Sides

Prime Minister Netanyahu is facing pressure from two sides. One side is international and public opinion, which is pushing for peace and a ceasefire. The other side includes members of his government, many of whom are from right-wing parties. These politicians don’t want the war to stop until Hamas is completely removed from Gaza.

Some members of his coalition have even said they would quit the government if Israel agrees to end the war before that happens. Netanyahu himself said in May that Israel would control all of Gaza.

Now, he is set to meet with other government ministers again to talk about military plans. According to one source, the Prime Minister hopes expanding the military’s actions in Gaza will put more pressure on Hamas to surrender.

Hostages Still in Danger

The issue of the hostages is at the heart of this debate. Most of the hostages who have been freed so far were released through diplomatic talks — not military operations. When the army had information that hostages were nearby, they often stayed away to avoid getting them killed.

Captives who were released in earlier exchanges said they were threatened with death if Israeli forces got too close. These stories have made commanders very cautious about aggressive attacks in certain areas.

This is why military leaders like Zamir are warning that expanding the war could make the situation even worse — especially for the people still trapped inside Gaza.

Israel’s Military Under Strain

The war has been very hard on Israel’s military as well. While Israel has one of the strongest militaries in the world, its standing army is small. It has had to call in reservists again and again, which has stretched its resources.

It’s unclear if Israel has enough troops to fully take over the remaining parts of Gaza. If they try to do so, they may have to call in even more reservists, putting a strain on families and the economy.

Despite these challenges, airstrikes have continued. In the past 24 hours alone, 135 people in Gaza were killed by air attacks. The total death toll in Gaza has now crossed 61,000, according to local health officials, and most of those killed were civilians.

The War’s Beginning

The war started in October 2023 when Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack on Israel. About 1,200 people in Israel were killed, including over 700 civilians. More than 250 hostages were taken to Gaza during that attack. This event sparked Israel’s full military response, which has continued for nearly two years now.

While Israel has made significant military gains, the costs on both sides have been devastating. Civilians have paid the highest price — both in Israel and in Gaza.

Voices From Gaza

For people in Gaza, life has become a nightmare. Tamer Al-Burai, who is living in a tent near Deir Al Balah in central Gaza, asked a heartbreaking question:

“Where will we go if tanks come in? Should we jump into the sea or wait to die under the rubble of our homes?”

He added, “We want an end to this war. It is enough, enough.”

Israel Gaza war, Netanyahu Gaza plan, Eyal Zamir warning, Gaza hostages