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Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has approved the "main framework" of an attack plan for the Gaza City occupation on Wednesday, following the Security Cabinet's decision. The move comes amid escalating tensions between the military leadership and the government, deepening a crisis over top military appointments.
The army announced that Chief of Staff Zamir met this morning with the army command staff and the internal intelligence organization Shin-Bet officials to discuss the main outlines of the Gaza City occupation plan.
Zamir reportedly approved the main framework of the Gaza City occupation plan, with the meeting also addressing Israeli army attacks conducted to date, as well as attacks launched Tuesday on the Zeitoun neighborhood in southeastern Gaza City.
The statement said: "The main framework of the plan for the next stages in the Gaza Strip was presented and approved in line with the directives of the political level."
Israeli forces began attacks Tuesday on the Zeitoun neighborhood in southeastern Gaza City as part of preparations for the planned occupation.
The Israeli Security Cabinet had approved a plan for occupying Gaza City in the northern Gaza Strip on Aug. 8. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News before the cabinet meeting that they aimed to occupy the entire Gaza Strip.
However, media reports before the cabinet meeting indicated that the attacks would be carried out in phases, with the occupation beginning first in Gaza City and later extending to refugee camps in the central area where Palestinian refugees reside.
The crisis between the army and government over military appointments has intensified following Defense Minister Israel Katz's accusation that Chief of Staff Zamir is working "with the advice of anti-government advisors."
Tensions between Zamir, who reportedly opposed the plan to occupy the entire Gaza Strip, and the government came to light during arguments at the Security Cabinet meeting on Aug. 7, when the decision was made.
Defense Minister Katz claimed in a written statement that Zamir attempted to change agreed-upon appointment procedures within the army with the advice of anti-government advisors.
Katz claimed he is the authority to approve promotions for colonel rank and above under the law, alleging that the chief of staff is only obligated to recommend names to him for promotion.
The crisis reached a new level when Zamir was barred Monday night from entering Katz's office despite a scheduled meeting, according to public broadcaster KAN, citing military sources.
Zamir had arrived for a pre-arranged meeting but was told Katz was busy. The minister's office claimed the chief of staff's office had been informed that Katz would not attend, yet Zamir still showed up.
Zamir held discussions Monday night on major general-level appointments in the army, but Katz's office announced its refusal to approve them. Nevertheless, the army later published the list of new appointments.
Contrary to Katz's claims, there is no direct law in Israel requiring the chief of staff to obtain the defense minister's approval for military appointments.
However, according to the "General Staff Decree" published in 1992, for promotions to colonel and above ranks, the chief of staff is the "appointing authority" while the defense minister is the "approving authority."
The appointment crisis emerged after Zamir decided to replace seven division commanders in the army, appoint new names to head the Armored Forces and Engineering corps, and bring new names to other senior positions.
A source close to Katz told The Jerusalem Post that Zamir had not consulted the minister before carrying out the restructuring, prompting the minister to withhold approval for the appointments.
In response to Katz's harsh public reaction to Zamir making appointment decisions without his approval, the Israeli army announced the appointed names and positions to the public.
Zamir believes Prime Minister Netanyahu's family is trying to dismiss him because he opposed the plan to fully occupy the Gaza Strip.
Israeli media reported that Zamir told officers within the army and some senior officials outside the army that "Netanyahu's family is trying to dismiss him."
Zamir reportedly told military and other senior officials: "The Netanyahu family is targeting me and wants to dismiss me because of my stance against the Gaza Strip operation."
The Times of Israel reported that Zamir informed senior officers and officials outside the military that Netanyahu's family and aides are seeking to dismiss him, making the statement during recent consultations with the General Staff and figures outside the army, including former chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi.
Zamir told officials that "the prime minister's family marked him" after he opposed Netanyahu's plan to conquer Gaza, according to the report.
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Israel is facing mounting condemnation for its war on Gaza, where it has killed nearly 61,600 victims since October 2023.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
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