Israeli Chief of Staff warns of the danger of expanding operations in Gaza to the lives of prisoners and demands clear orders
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned that any large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip could endanger the lives of Israeli prisoners.
Zamir’s warning comes at a time when the government is moving to expand operations in the Gaza Strip after negotiations with Hamas faltered.
Zamir informed those close to him that he won’t allow operations that could endanger the lives of prisoners, as he emphasizing the need for clear orders from the political level that serve the war’s objectives.
Zamir, opposes any large-scale military operation that might endanger the lives of detainees.
Netanyahu will meet with political and military officials on Tuesday to discuss the future of military operations in Gaza and options for dealing with the prisoners’ issue in light of the faltering negotiations with Hamas.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army is considering taking control of additional areas in the Gaza Strip, including Gaza City and the central refugee camps, or encircling and isolating them to exert pressure on Hamas, amid serious fears that Hamas will execute the remaining hostages if operations expand.
On Saturday, Israeli media reported that Zamir had canceled a visit to Washington scheduled for next Tuesday due to the failure to reach a permanent ceasefire agreement with Palestinian factions in Gaza.
The Israeli leadership is becoming convinced that Hamas isn’t interested in reaching a deal, and therefore Netanyahu is pushing to free the hostages through a decisive military operation, in parallel with the introduction of humanitarian aid to areas outside Hamas’ control.
