Eyal Zamir, Israel’s newly appointed chief of staff, has sparked controversy after rebuking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to seize the entire Gaza Strip. Zamir, a former tank commander and military secretary to Netanyahu, argued that taking control of all of Gaza would put hostages at risk and mire an exhausted military in the conflict.
Zamir expressed his concerns during a meeting with Netanyahu, stating that the culture of debate is essential for Israel’s history. However, he also emphasized the military’s ability to establish a new security reality along the border, with the goal of defeating Hamas and operating with hostages as top priority.
The decision has created a tough line for Zamir to walk, particularly given his reputation for suppressing Gaza unrest in 2018, when over 150 people were killed. Palestinians view him as the architect of devastation in Gaza, and some have called him a war criminal.
Despite this, Zamir’s background makes him well-suited to argue against Netanyahu’s plan. Unlike other top generals, he was not involved in the catastrophic security mistakes made during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, cross-border assault on Israeli communities.
The military is currently riding high after shattering Lebanon’s Hezbollah and taking out much of Iran’s nuclear program and Revolutionary Guards leadership last year. However, internal political divisions have eroded trust in Netanyahu, with only 40% of respondents trusting him in a recent poll. In contrast, over 68% of Israelis trust Zamir.
The Israeli military has faced criticism from abroad for its conduct during the war in Gaza, including massive destruction, looming famine, and high civilian casualties. Zamir has expanded the conflict since taking office, telling troops that “we will continue until we break the enemy’s fighting capability — until we defeat it wherever we operate”.
Zamir’s record has been widely praised by Netanyahu and his ministers, but the challenge of balancing political demands with military needs remains a pressing issue.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/eyal-zamir-israeli-general-odds-with-netanyahu-2025-08-07