Deep divisions have emerged within the Israeli occupation’s political and military leadership, as reports reveal that Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir believes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s family and inner circle are working to oust him for opposing the regime’s latest escalation against the besieged Gaza Strip.

According to a Tuesday report by Haaretz, Zamir told current and former senior Israeli military officials that he has been “targeted” by Netanyahu and his associates for refusing to endorse a government plan to intensify the ongoing war on Gaza — a campaign that has already killed tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians and pushed the enclave to the brink of famine.

The tensions between Zamir and Defence Minister Israel Katz reportedly erupted after Katz accused Zamir of making senior military appointments without his consent. Sources close to the army chief believe Katz’s outburst was orchestrated by Netanyahu, who views Zamir as “too independent” and unwilling to blindly execute the government’s aggressive war policies.

In private discussions with former IOF Chief Gabi Ashkenazi and other senior officers, Zamir reportedly stated that the Netanyahu family’s hostility intensified after he prioritised the release of Israeli captives in Gaza over pursuing total military annihilation of the Palestinian resistance. Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, allegedly opposed his appointment from the start, accusing him of sympathising with anti-government protesters and opposing the regime’s hardline approach.

Observers note that this is not the first time the Netanyahu family has clashed with a military chief. Zamir’s predecessor, Herzi Halevi, also came under political attack after resisting Netanyahu’s handling of the war and supporting measures to draft more ultra-Orthodox Israelis into military service.

The public rift underscores growing fractures inside the Israeli establishment as its war on Gaza drags into its 23rd month with no decisive victory, mounting military losses, and increasing international condemnation over war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian people. (ILKHA)