Escalation of disagreement between Netanyahu's allies and the Army Chief intensifies amid the ongoing Gaza conflict
In the midst of a prolonged conflict with Hamas in Gaza, a deep rift has emerged between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the country's military leadership. This divide, which has intensified in recent days, is primarily rooted in disagreements over policy and military strategies.
The government, led by Netanyahu and including hardline ministers like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, appears focused on political objectives such as annexation of parts of Gaza. In contrast, the military leadership emphasizes operational and humanitarian considerations in the ongoing war effort.
The conflict was reignited in March 2025 with surprise airstrikes by Israel on Gaza, following Hamas's refusal to release hostages and rejection of ceasefire proposals. Netanyahu's announcement of the resumption of full combat operations signalled a hardline stance. However, this decision has led to significant casualties, causing tension between the political and military branches over the direction and scale of the war.
The feud is further fueled by diverging perspectives on ceasefire and hostage negotiations. While Netanyahu's government negotiates ceasefire deals and engages with multiple parties, some ministers and officials prioritize broader political aims over negotiated settlements. This divergence has created friction with military commanders, who bear the operational responsibility and are impacted by the military and humanitarian costs of the conflict.
The situation has drawn intense international criticism, with more than 61,500 Palestinians reportedly killed in this offensive according to local officials. The offensive has caused a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza enclave, exacerbating the already strained relationship between Israel and the international community.
The dispute between Netanyahu and the military leadership is not a new development. Eyal Zamir, the head of the army, was appointed by Netanyahu in March. However, the feud broke into the open last week, with Netanyahu's son accusing the military chief of attempting a "coup".
Defence minister Israel Katz claimed that a series of promotions proposed by Zamir this week had been put forward without following proper procedures, causing "unnecessary harm". Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right national security minister, has called on Netanyahu to dismiss Eyal Zamir unless he replaces his advisers.
The bickering between Netanyahu and Zamir has intensified in recent days, with several military chiefs resigning over the failings that led up to Hamas's attack. The leaders are weighing their next moves in their 22-month-long offensive against Hamas in Gaza.
The feuding between Netanyahu and Zamir is the latest sign of the rift between Israel's political and military leaders. The situation remains dynamic amid ongoing hostilities and ceasefire negotiations.
Sources: [1] The Times of Israel, "Netanyahu's government ministers at odds with military over Gaza campaign", August 2025. [2] Pew Research Center, "U.S. Public Opinion of Israel and Palestinians", July 2025.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, marked by policy disagreements between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the military leadership, has extended into the realm of politics, impacting policy-and-legislation and general-news discussions. Crime-and-justice matters may also arise due to the escalating tensions and resignations within the military, fueled by a rift over war-and-conflicts strategies and humanitarian concerns.
