Israel’s government is reportedly preparing to blame the army and its Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, if the operation to occupy Gaza City fails, while it will claim credit for any success, according to Israel Hayom newspaper on Wednesday.

The newspaper cited senior Israeli military officials expressing deep concern over the political leadership’s intention to sideline the senior military command and exclude them from behind-the-scenes decision-making.

According to military sources, the government is gearing up to accuse the Chief of Staff of delay or “hesitation” if the operation does not topple Hamas or secure the release of prisoners, considering the media campaign against Zamir as preparation to hold him responsible later.

Meanwhile, Zamir insists that the army opposes ending the war before a decisive decision is made regarding Hamas, but warned in meetings with the cabinet that continuing the current military option could lead to direct Israeli military rule in Gaza, with the risk of dozens of soldiers dying without progress on the prisoners’ issue.

The newspaper added that Zamir sees the need to seek an interim deal to release some prisoners now, followed within 60 days of a ceasefire by negotiations on a comprehensive deal to end the war, warning that sending tens of thousands of troops into Gaza without this could deepen Israel’s international delegitimization.

Sources indicated that army estimates suggest “clearing Gaza City of fighters could take a year or more,” increasing the rift between the military leadership and political level over the cost and outcomes of the operation.

Since October 2023, Israel, with US support, has been waging a genocidal war on Gaza’s population, including killing, starving, destroying, and forcibly displacing people, ignoring international calls to stop the war and International Court of Justice orders. The genocide has resulted in over 63,000 deaths and 160,000 injuries.