Tel Aviv (TDI): The reservists of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in a press conference in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, said that they will refuse to obey orders if called on duty for the planned military operation leading to occupation in Gaza.
They were of the view that such an operation will have grave humanitarian toll and will also risk the lives of Israeli hostages, while Netanyahu is fully convinced that IDF must advance to occupy Gaza.
Netanyahu’s plans, however, have not been positively received by the IDF Chief as well, who voiced opposition openly in the last cabinet meeting.
This is not the first time that tensions have been reported between Netanyahu and IDF’s top command. Netanyahu, who has the support of far-right political allies, rejected the Chief’s concerns in what has been reported as a “stormy” cabinet meeting.
Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir was of the view that Israel should take the deal which Hamas is agreeing to, and which has been put forward most recently by Egyptian and Qatari mediators as a ceasefire proposal.
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“You need to understand that your decision to conquer Gaza City means that you are going to a full military administration – the only one who will bear responsibility for the local population will be the IDF,” he said in comments reported by CNN.
The IDF Chief made it abundantly clear that he has serious concerns over the humanitarian fallout of the occupation plan while Netanyahu cited President Trump as saying ““Forget the partial deals… Go in with full force and finish this.”
Eyal Zamir was appointed as Chief by Netanyahu himself and has come under fire from Netanyahu’s far-right allies for not going all out against Hamas.
Zamir’s stance in the most recent cabinet meeting follows a pattern of rift between Netanyahu and the military command.
The reservists and the IDF Chief sharing similar concerns indicate dissent within the Forces, dissent against Netanyahu’s brutal assault in Gaza.
Reservists remain a major part of Israeli PM’s occupation plan and any defection will put the plan in jeopardy.
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