Netanyahu Slams IDF Chief in Fiery Clash Over Gaza 

In the pressure cooker of Israel's ongoing war with Hamas, tensions at the highest levels of leadership boiled over during a late-night cabinet meeting on Sunday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply rebuked Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, accusing him and the military of undermining government unity through adversarial media briefings. "Stop briefing against me," Netanyahu reportedly demanded. "It's not legitimate and harms the fighting spirit." This confrontation, unfolding amid debates over a potential hostage deal and escalating operations in Gaza, highlights deepening rifts between political and military echelons, rifts that have persisted since Zamir's appointment following his predecessor's dismissal over similar clashes.

The drama unfolded as Netanyahu convened the political-security cabinet, a forum already fraught with high stakes. According to reports from Ynet, the prime minister directly confronted Zamir about leaks and public statements from the IDF that appeared to contradict government positions. "This damages the fighting spirit," Netanyahu asserted. "It's not legitimate in a democracy for the army to act against the state. We can argue inside the room, but outside, we must project a unified front."

The exchange didn't stop at media tactics. Despite Netanyahu's opposition, Zamir pushed forward details of a proposed deal with Hamas, advocating for its discussion and expressing support. The outline reportedly involves releasing ten living hostages and 18 soldiers in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire. A majority of ministers rejected the framework as presented by the chief of staff, aligning with Netanyahu's stance that partial deals could jeopardize broader objectives.

Netanyahu justified his resistance by citing limited political leeway from the United States, warning that withdrawing from territories would exact a heavy price. Invoking a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, he quoted: "The U.S. President told me to abandon partial deals—go into Gaza with full force and end the war. If we agree to a 60-day halt, regaining control would take at least half a year, and that's time we don't have."

Adding a biblical layer to the discourse, Religious Zionism Minister Orit Strook referenced a verse from last week's Torah portion, Deuteronomy (Parshat Shoftim): "And let every man who is fearful and fainthearted return to his home, lest he make his brothers' hearts melt like his own." She accused unnamed parties, implying the military, of "scaring us with all sorts of intimidations" regarding an impending operation in Gaza City. When pressed by Minister Gali Baharav-Miara on who was spreading fear, Strook replied, "I hesitated whether to say it, but I've decided to anyway. They're scaring us with all kinds of threats."

Zamir responded forcefully, framing his role as mission-driven: preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and destroying Hamas. Raising his voice at Strook's implication of cowardice, he declared, "I recommended action in Iran. Every morning, the Middle East map is before me, and I approve strikes everywhere." Defending his team, he added, "No one is fearful or fainthearted, including the generals here. I make powerful decisions that no one else has made. I lay out the implications and consequences of everything."

At one point, Zamir challenged the cabinet: "If you want blind obedience, bring someone else." Netanyahu intervened, clarifying that while he doesn't seek unquestioning compliance, he also won't tolerate breaches of discipline.

This isn't the first public flare-up involving Zamir. Earlier reports detailed Strook quoting the same biblical verse in a previous meeting, prompting a similar defense from the chief of staff. The ongoing discord comes amid broader regional turmoil, including Houthi attacks on Israeli shipping and internal Iranian unrest over hijab enforcement.

As Israel navigates these internal fractures, the cabinet's unity—or lack thereof—could prove pivotal. Netanyahu's call for a "united front" abroad echoes democratic ideals, but in a time of war, the line between healthy debate and damaging division grows perilously thin. With operations looming and hostage families protesting outside, the question remains: Can these leaders bridge their divides before the enemy exploits them?