IDF chief talks up culture of dissent, indicates he won’t be cowed amid Gaza row

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir says disagreements are a “vital component” of the military, after recent reports have indicated tension between him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the premier’s plans to “occupy” the Gaza Strip, which the army is reported to oppose.

“A culture of disagreement is an inseparable part of the history of the people of Israel; it is a vital component of the IDF’s organizational culture, both internally and externally,” Zamir said during an assessment this morning with the military’s top brass, according to remarks released by the IDF.

“We will continue to express our positions without fear, in a substantive, independent, and professional manner,” he added.

Zamir has repeatedly clashed with the cabinet in recent days, notably over the government’s move to expand the war in Gaza, according to multiple reports, and sources in the Prime Minister’s Office have suggested that if he objects to the plan to occupy Gaza, he can resign.

His comments are published hours before a cabinet meeting this evening to discuss the Gaza occupation plans, indicating he will continue to push against the proposal.

“We are not dealing with theory; we are dealing with matters of life and death, with the defense of the state, and we do so while looking directly into the eyes of our soldiers and the citizens of the country,” Zamir added during the morning assessment, the army says. “We will continue to act with responsibility, integrity, and determination, with only the good of the state and its security before our eyes.”

According to Zamir, the IDF is “now approaching the final stages” of the military offensive against Hamas that was launched in May, which was more limited than the proposal now on the table.

“We have met and even exceeded the operation’s objectives, and we continue to act to ensure long-term security for the communities in the south,” he said.

“We intend to defeat and collapse Hamas. We will continue to act with our hostages in mind, and we will do everything to bring them home,” Zamir added.