PM Netanyahu reportedly decides on full Gaza takeover despite objections from IDF brass

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to order the military to start a new operation aiming to fully conquer the Gaza Strip, despite objections from the Israel Defense Forces’ brass, Israeli media reported on Tuesday.

“We are going to conquer the Strip,” a senior source in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) told Channel 12 News. “The decision was made. Hamas will not free more hostages without us fully surrendering, and we will not surrender.”

“If we don’t act now, the hostages will die of hunger and Gaza will remain under Hamas’ control,” the source added.

Another source told Maariv that “Netanyahu realized … there is no point anymore in waiting for Hamas and therefore a decision about the next stage of the war must be made quickly.”

“The dispute now is not about whether to act or negotiate, because a deal with Hamas is no longer on the table. Rather, it’s about how to act without a deal, whether to go for full conquest or for a siege and increased pressure.”

In recent days, multiple reports have pointed to divisions between the IDF leadership and the Security Cabinet, with Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir advising against launching another broad-scale offensive.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the PMO conveyed a message to Zamir, saying, “If this does not suit you, then you should resign.”

Siding with Zamir are Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Shas party leader Aryeh Deri, National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and Mossad Director David Barnea, among others, according to Channel 12.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu is said to have the support of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, his military secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman and Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs.

Despite Netanyahu reportedly having decided on a course, this policy can only be officially approved by a full cabinet meeting that is expected to convene by the end of the week.

On Tuesday morning, an Israeli official told the JPost that the prime minister would convene “an extensive meeting on Gaza and a hostage deal,” adding that Netanyahu “is considering all available options regarding the next steps.”

During the upcoming meeting, Zamir will once again present the IDF’s concerns and the potential cost of ordering the worn-out army to embark on another large-scale ground maneuver, Ynet News reported.

This includes the renewed deployment of tens of thousands of soldiers, potentially up to six divisions – many of them reservists – for several months of intense fighting, which could also risk other fronts heating up again.

In addition, a full takeover of the Gaza Strip would require operations in areas where the IDF has not operated for a long time – or in some cases, ever – allowing Hamas ample time to fortify its positions.

This includes parts of Gaza City where the last IDF operation took place over a year ago; the central camps area, where Hamas is thought to have untouched battalions that are guarding the remaining hostages; as well as the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans are sheltering.

The reports have not clarified the exact nature of the plan or the specific terminology Netanyahu intends to use to define its objectives. Kan News reported that, when speaking with Cabinet ministers, Netanyahu did not use the terms “conquer” or “occupy” in every instance, leaving the long-term goal of the operation ambiguous.

Zamir is reportedly set to present the IDF's concerns during a meeting on Monday, as part of efforts to finalize a plan that will be approved by the entire Cabinet later this week.