Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, whose relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently been tense, called on Thursday for building “mutual trust” with the executive authority. Zamir said during the handover ceremony of military colleges leadership: “At all times, but especially in times of war, the link between the political and military levels forms a central axis of national security.” He added: “Mutual trust and full cooperation are the keys to success. Victory on the battlefield depends not only on military strength but also on cohesion among leadership levels. Only this way can we ensure a decisive victory.

Trust is at the core of this unity.” For two weeks, tension has prevailed between the Chief of Staff and the government regarding the continuation of military operations in Gaza to free hostages and defeat Hamas, which ignited the unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, sparking the ongoing war in the sector. There has also been tension between the army commander, appointed at the beginning of 2025, and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz over military appointments. According to Israeli media, Zamir opposed a plan approved by the Security Cabinet on Friday to control Gaza City, a densely populated area still outside direct Israeli military control. The Israeli army says it controls about 75 percent of the besieged Palestinian sector devastated by the ongoing 22-month war.

Despite recent criticisms from several ministers, Zamir emphasized his independence, affirming he will continue to express his positions “without fear.” Haaretz newspaper quoted unnamed army leadership sources on Wednesday saying Netanyahu’s close circle wants to replace the Chief of Staff, whom they consider “largely independent” and feeling “under pressure.” According to Israeli army radio, Netanyahu also criticized the Chief of Staff for regularly receiving “figures no longer part of the military system.” On Wednesday, the army announced in a statement that during a meeting of the General Staff and security and military leaders, “the central idea of the plan for the next steps in the Gaza Strip was approved, according to the directives of the political level.” The Security Cabinet approved on Friday a plan to control Gaza City and the next phase of the war in the Palestinian sector.