Israel: Disagreements prevail in the meeting between the military and political leadership regarding the continuation of the war in Gaza

The Israeli Channel 12 reported Sunday evening that disagreements prevailed during a meeting between the Israeli military and political leadership regarding the continuation of the war in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army opposes the complete occupation of Gaza and recommends a prisoner exchange deal.

It was reported that the Chief of Staff said during a security discussion, “The army has indeed subdued Hamas, while Netanyahu said that this hasn’t happened and that the military operation must continue”.

Israeli sources explained that the next step, according to the army, is either to complete control of Gaza completely or to pursue a prisoner exchange deal, with the army preferring the latter option.

Israeli estimates that there are 50 Israeli hostages in Gaza, 20 of whom are still alive.

Meanwhile, more than 10,400 Palestinians languish in its prisons, suffering from torture, starvation, and medical neglect, many of whom have died, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.

The sources added that the Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir informed the government, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, that the army has military control over approximately 75% of the Gaza Strip (365 square kilometers).

Meanwhile, a divergence of opinion between the army and the government regarding whether the fighting should continue until full control of Gaza is achieved, or whether a prisoner exchange deal should be pursued to end the war.

Channel 12 indicated that the Israeli military command asked the political leadership to determine the next steps regarding Gaza.

In this regard, a senior Israeli official described the coming days as “fateful” and spoke of a “golden opportunity” that wouldn’t be repeated.

Israeli sources reported disagreements within the Israeli military over the course of the war in Gaza, as the latter prepares for an unprecedented, large-scale military operation in the Strip.

According to the Israeli Walla news website, sources confirmed a division of opinion within the army between those who support continuing military operations and those who see the need to end the war.

Channel 12 also reported that the army will present the security cabinet with several options regarding Gaza, ranging from completing the occupation of the Strip to reaching a deal with Hamas.

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir is also expected to inform ministers that the army is close to achieving its stated goals.

According to Israeli military commanders, the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, remain active and deployed from Khan Yunis to Gaza City and its suburbs.

This reflects the difficulty of the military mission, despite the months that have passed since the start of the military operation.

These leaks came after reports that the Israeli military was considering deploying five full military divisions, rather than partial ones as in previous instances, in addition to carrying out one of the largest forced evacuations of Palestinian residents since the start of the war, according to the Israeli Walla news website.

Earlier on Sunday, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Netanyahu had re-prioritized the war by placing the return of prisoners at the forefront.

It reported that Netanyahu said, during his meeting with members of the General Security Service (Shin Bet), “I give you good news that many opportunities have become available after this victory (over Iran)… The priority is to rescue the hostages”.

He added, “Of course, we have to resolve the Gaza issue and eliminate Hamas, but I believe we will achieve both goals”.

Netanyahu’s priorities have traditionally been to achieve what he calls “complete victory” in Gaza and destroy Hamas’s military capabilities.

These reports coincide with statements by US President Donald Trump, in which he expressed his belief that reaching an agreement to end the war in Gaza is “very imminent”.

Hamas has repeatedly affirmed its willingness to release Israeli hostages “in one batch” in exchange for an end to the war of extermination, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

But Netanyahu insists on partial deals and evades them by proposing new conditions, including the disarmament of Palestinian factions and the reoccupation of Gaza, to further his personal political interests, particularly his continued rule, according to the Israeli opposition.

These developments come as US President Donald Trump works to conclude a deal with Hamas to return detainees held in the Gaza Strip.

Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday, “Make a Gaza deal…and bring back the captives”.

Earlier, three senior Israeli officials announced that gaps with Hamas remain large regarding a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza.

It’s noteworthy that Israel resumed its war on Gaza since the collapse of the fragile truce last March.

Its forces also penetrated many areas of the Gaza Strip, particularly in the south, and called for the evacuation of large areas in the north.

It vowed to remain in Gaza and not withdraw from the new areas it has seized since last March, imposing a stifling blockade on food and medical aid.