Senior IDF general appears to admit to ‘disagreements’ among top military brass on Gaza

Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, the chief of the IDF Southern Command, appears to confirm there are “disagreements” in the military’s top brass, after a report published earlier today accused the general of sparring with the head of the Air Force during a recent meeting on Gaza.

“The fighting in Gaza is often accompanied by tension, and sometimes disagreements between various parties,” Asor says during a ceremony for the fallen soldiers of the 401st Armored Brigade, in a video released by the IDF.

“It’s important for me to say clearly: these are disagreements with the best of intentions. These are substantive and professional discussions, driven by the sincere desire of all IDF commanders to do what is right for the security of the State of Israel,” he says.

According to a report by the Yediot Ahronot daily, during a video call meeting some 10 days ago, Asor demanded that Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar stop overturning his decisions to carry out strikes in Gaza.

Bar, according to the report, had intervened in strikes after increasing reports of civilian casualties in the Strip since March, which has led to growing tension between him and Asor.

Asor, in the meeting, lashed out, reportedly saying to the other generals: “You there in Tel Aviv are disconnected from the [what is happening] on the ground.”

Asor’s statement tonight may, however, be referring to tension between IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the premier’s plans to “occupy” the Gaza Strip, which the military chief is reported to oppose.