Rifts in Israel over full Gaza occupation

JERUSALEM:

The Israeli military will have to execute any government decisions on Gaza, the defence minister said Wednesday after reported disagreements over the prospect of a full occupation of the Palestinian territory.

Signs of a rift over strategy emerged as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to announce a new phase in the war, after he said Israel must "complete" the defeat of Hamas in order to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza.

The Israeli press, citing officials speaking on condition of anonymity, has predicted an escalation of operations, including in densely populated areas where hostages are believed to be held, such as Gaza City and refugee camps.

The reports also said Netanyahu and his cabinet would order a full military occupation of Gaza, sparking dissension from the army's Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir.

On Tuesday, Netanyahu held a restricted three-hour meeting with security chiefs to discuss options for the continuation of the war, his office said in a statement.

At the meeting, Zamir reportedly warned that a full occupation would be like "walking into a trap," according to public broadcaster KAN.

The army chief suggested alternatives to a full occupation, such as an encirclement of specific areas where Hamas is believed to be hunkering down, according to the Channel 12 broadcaster.

But Defence Minister Israel Katz hit back with a clear message.

"It is the right and duty of the Chief of Staff to express his position in the appropriate forums," he wrote on X.

"But once decisions are made by the political echelon, the IDF will execute them with determination and professionalism... until the objectives of the war are achieved," he added, using an acronym for the Israeli military.

Netanyahu is expected to convene the security cabinet on Thursday to finalise a decision on the expansion of the offensive, local media reported.

US President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday he was not aware of reported plans to occupy the entire Gaza Strip, but said that such a decision would be "up to Israel".

At war with Hamas since the unprecedented attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Israeli government is under growing pressure to bring the conflict to an end.

Israelis are increasingly alarmed about the fate of the dozens of hostages in Gaza.

Of the 49 still held there, the Israeli military says 27 are dead.

The UN Security Council held a special session on Tuesday to discuss Israeli hostages in Gaza, as the country seeks to keep the issue on top of the global agenda.

On Tuesday, Trump described a recent video released by Hamas of emaciated Israeli hostage Evyatar David purportedly digging his own grave as "horrible."