IDF Chief of Staff Wants This Before Occupying Gaza

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly wants to first encircle and wear down Hamas forces in Gaza City and the central camps in the Gaza Strip before trying to occupy the whole Strip, according to a report today (Tuesday) by Channel 14.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to convene the security cabinet for Thursday and reportedly plans to discuss the option of militarily occupying the entire Gaza Strip, to end Hamas rule and power in the Gaza Strip and to possibly secure the hostages, even while putting them at greater risk.

Although Zamir has said that he will carry out any order from the government to go for full occupation, he remains adamant that it is not necessary at this stage, both due to the power of remaining Hamas forces and the increasing exhaustion of existing IDF troops, to say nothing of the risk to the remaining living hostages, about 20 in number.

Zamir's plan, according to reports, would allow the IDF to operate with far fewer forces in the Strip, using only the regular army forces while allowing reserve forces, many of whom have been fighting constantly since October 7, 2023, to regroup, rest, and regain their balance.

However, the political leadership is increasingly frustrated with this tactical approach, and many reporters and analysts have noted that the approach of raids, no matter how lethal, do not seem to produce more than brief tactical damage against Hamas forces, which return to take over areas the IDF evacuates. The failure of Operation Gideon's Chariots in forcing Hamas to become more flexible in talks over a partial hostage deal have also left Israel's political leaders frustrated.