IDF said to tighten policy for Gaza strikes, now requiring chief of staff’s OK

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir (center) is seen with his office manager, Lt. Col. Tomer Sayag (left) and Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth at the Judea and Samaria Division headquarters near Beit El in the West Bank, July 19, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir (center) is seen with his office manager, Lt. Col. Tomer Sayag (left) and Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth at the Judea and Samaria Division headquarters near Beit El in the West Bank, July 19, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

The Israeli military has reportedly tightened its policy for strikes in the Gaza Strip, which now require the approval of the chief of staff.

Previously, strikes targeting terror operatives in Gaza only required the approval of the chief of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, or various division commanders operating in the Strip.

Army Radio reports that at the start of this week, the policy changed, with “targeted elimination” strikes requiring the approval of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

This has resulted in a reduction in the number of strikes seen in the Strip in recent days, when previously, Israel was carrying out near-daily attacks on terror operatives, while claiming they were targeted for violating the truce.

The IDF has not yet commented on the report.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.