A brief statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office summarized Tuesday afternoon’s restricted meeting convened by Benjamin Netanyahu on plans for continuing the military campaign in the Gaza Strip: “The IDF is prepared to implement any decision made by the political-military security cabinet.”
Shortly after, Israeli media reported the Prime Minister will seek government approval Thursday at 6 PM for a decision to fully occupy Gaza. Netanyahu reportedly ordered the military “to conquer the central camps of the Strip and Gaza City” – areas where military intelligence believes hostages are held, with only 20 of 50 potentially still alive. The army has previously avoided striking these zones to protect the captives.
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi (corrected from Eyal Zamir as per standard IDF naming) presented alternatives and opposed the full occupation option during the meeting, Ynet revealed. However, Halevi clarified he would execute any decision made by political leadership despite reported disagreements with Netanyahu. He denied threatening to resign during preliminary talks with the Prime Minister.
Netanyahu now faces explaining to the public why his actions contradict IDF assessments. Analysts suggest his justification may involve harrowing videos of emaciated hostages Rom Breslavsky and Evyatar David. The hostage crisis prompted an urgent UN Security Council session in New York Tuesday evening, attended by Minister Gideon Sa’ar and David’s brother remotely.
The deep institutional rift, extending into the cabinet itself, was evident in a social media exchange between ministers. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, pressuring for Gaza’s total capture, stated on X: “The Chief of Staff must declare he respects political directives, even if they decide to conquer Gaza.” Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar, advocating negotiations with Hamas, countered: “The IDF chief must express his opinion to the political echelon. He is not required to subordinate himself to government decisions.”
Amidst the debate, Halevi took concrete action: he cancelled the war emergency status effective since October 7th, ending the mandatory four-month reserve duty extension for regular conscripts. This effectively reduces available battalions and signals the conclusion of the ‘Chariots of Gideon’ operation, allowing soldiers to rest.
Sources indicate the three-hour restricted meeting – attended only by Netanyahu, Halevi, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Netanyahu advisor/chief negotiator Ron Dermer – ended with “divergent opinions between the political leadership and the army chief.” Throughout the 22-month conflict, the IDF has consistently opposed expanding operations across all of Gaza, citing precise reasons beyond hostage safety: the necessity to evacuate one million residents for operations, the months-long construction of new camps for the displaced, and the non-military burden of managing Gazan civilian needs.
Families of the hostages condemned Netanyahu’s push for Gaza’s conquest as “a death sentence for their loved ones.”