IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet on Tuesday that the military has additional options available and that there are alternatives to a full-scale ground maneuver in Gaza involving several divisions. This was first reported by Israel Hayom.
During the meeting, Zamir laid out three core principles concerning humanitarian aid: first, the civilian population in Gaza will not be starved; second, every effort must be made to prevent the aid from reaching the terrorist organization Hamas; and third, IDF soldiers will not be the ones distributing food to Palestinian civilians.
To that end, military officials stated that civilian companies or contractors should be engaged by Israel through the Defense Ministry. The IDF does not determine the distribution method, nor does it execute the contracts, its role is solely to present the alternatives. The final decisions, they emphasized, must be made by the government.
Zamir's remarks came amid a tense meeting of the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet, during which Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich lashed out at the chief of staff and threatened to pursue his dismissal. Following the uproar sparked by his statements, Smotrich clarified that his criticism was directed not at Zamir but at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who, he said, refuses to authorize a full takeover of the Gaza Strip.
Earlier, the minister issued a clarification, placing the blame squarely on Netanyahu and even threatening to resign from the government. Despite his harsh tone, Smotrich said, "I have no complaints against the chief of staff. My criticism is aimed at the prime minister for failing to enforce the political echelon's policy on the IDF. The transfer of logistical aid to Hamas is a step I will not be part of. Period. Continued military stagnation and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Hamas while our hostages are still there, this is not an option."
He further accused the prime minister, stating that Netanyahu bears ultimate responsibility and must launch a campaign to decisively defeat Hamas, take over Gaza, impose a temporary military administration, retrieve the hostages, and initiate the Trump Gaza plan, or the current government has no right to exist.
