Tel aviv: The Israeli army has cautioned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed plan to fully reoccupy the Gaza Strip could lead to the deaths of all Israeli captives and significant military losses, as reported by Maariv daily.
According to Anadolu Agency, security officials, who chose to remain anonymous, have expressed increasing concern over Netanyahu's push for a full-scale ground offensive in the approximately 20% of Gaza that remains outside Israeli control. The report indicates that Netanyahu is advancing this plan under pressure from far-right ministers, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Settlements Minister Orit Strock. In contrast, the army is reportedly advocating for a more restrained approach, which would focus on encirclement and targeted raids.
The military estimates suggest that a large-scale operation could result in the deaths of all remaining captives in Gaza, currently estimated at around 50, with approximately 20 believed to be alive. These deaths could occur either at the hands of their captors or as a result of Israeli fire. Furthermore, Maariv reports that the army fears dozens of soldiers could be killed and hundreds injured in such a campaign, given the operation would involve densely populated areas filled with booby traps and mines.
Army Chief Eyal Zamir has reportedly voiced strong objections to Netanyahu's plan, describing it as a 'strategic trap' that could deplete the military's capabilities and destabilize Israel for years. He is expected to present the army's assessment at a high-level Cabinet meeting later Thursday.
Netanyahu argues that reoccupying Gaza would 'decisively defeat' Hamas. However, the military reportedly believes the plan lacks a viable post-war strategy and could force Israel into establishing a long-term military administration to govern the enclave's 2.5 million residents, a move with significant legal and logistical implications under international law.
The report further mentions that the government would likely need to mobilize tens of thousands of reservists and redeploy active-duty units to sustain the operation and manage the territory. Opposition to Netanyahu's proposal is reportedly growing within both political and military circles. On Wednesday, Army Chief Zamir reiterated his objections, warning that the plan would endanger the lives of captives and stretch the army to its limits.
Israel has faced mounting outrage over its destructive war on Gaza, where more than 61,100 people have been killed since October 2023. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin 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.