IDF chief Zamir proposes 'plan for taking over Gaza' instead of humanitarian city favored by PM Netanyahu

As the hostage-ceasefire negotiations in Doha, Qatar remain stalled, the IDF recently presented a plan for more intense combat operations in Gaza to the political leadership. 

The plan was presented by Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, as an alternative to the humanitarian city proposed by Defense Minister Israel Katz, which has been strongly criticized by the mediators and could be nixed as part of the latest proposed Israeli withdrawals under a new ceasefire.

Israeli media has reported that Zamir and the IDF brass are strongly opposed to the idea of the humanitarian city. 

Israel recently submitted an updated map of the redeployment of IDF troops during the 6-day ceasefire; however, Hamas has yet to respond to the Israeli proposal. 

According to Channel 12 News, Zamir’s plan was well received by the ministers who saw it during its presentation in the small cabinet, which includes the coalition heads, along with Katz and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

Zamir reportedly said that the military would be ready to implement the plan if the negotiations collapse or if Israel and Hamas fail to agree on conditions for ending the war at the conclusion of the 60-day ceasefire. 

Zamir’s plan would call for the IDF to take and hold much more territory in Gaza than the military currently controls, with the IDF seizing more territory in a way that demonstrates to Hamas that it is losing more ground each day. 

The army chief told the small cabinet that the IDF believes this plan will advance the goal of returning the hostages and the goal of defeating Hamas better than the idea of a humanitarian city. 

According to a report in Israel Hayom, Zamir’s plan does not call for the full occupation of Gaza, but for encircling the territories currently held by Hamas, closing all access to the Strip, while conducting raids to prevent Hamas from rebuilding, and relying more heavily on precise airstrikes on Hamas targets to minimize risks to IDF fighters. 

The plan is also expected to allow the withdrawal of two regular infantry brigades from the Gaza Strip, which fits with Zamir’s recent decision to reduce the reserve forces by 30% amid increasing complaints by reservists and their family members. 

While the specific details of Zamir’s plan have not been released to the public, during his visit to the Gaza Strip on Sunday, the Chief of Staff spoke with IDF fighters and hinted at the plan.  

“We will implement new operational formations within which we will emphasize our advantages, reduce the remedies, and deepen the operational achievements,” Zamir told the soldiers.

“These will put Hamas in increasing distress, and reduce the erosion of [Israeli] forces. We have presented the options to the political echelon, and we will stabilize the reality in accordance with our interests.” 

Israel Hayom also reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu did not allow discussion of the plan after Zamir presented it, and did not allow the Chief of Staff to present the plan to the larger cabinet. 

Channel 12 correspondent Yaron Avraham said in a post to 𝕏 that those close to Netanyahu explain that he is trying to exhaust the chances for a hostage deal before considering other plans.

Netanyahu reportedly favors the construction of the humanitarian city, as does DM Katz, as a way of removing the Palestinian population from the control of Hamas. 

Hostage families have expressed deep concern over any plan to intensify fighting in Gaza – especially if it brings IDF soldiers closer to areas where hostages are believed to be held. Their fears were heightened after Hamas released a statement last year saying it had ordered its fighters to kill hostages if Israeli forces approached their positions.