Senior officials in the Israeli army continue to experience chaos regarding Gaza and prisoners. Recently, senior military authorities criticized the direction of the attacks in the Gaza Strip while stating that they have no idea about the progress of the war.

According to a report in the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper in Israel, senior figures in the Israeli army have differing opinions on how reservists should be treated, yet they all agree on a mistake being made here. The news mentioned that senior officials in the Israeli army asserted that “We have no idea where the war in the Gaza Strip is going.” The military officials, whose names were not shared, were reported to criticize Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir’s statements about the resumption and expansion of attacks in the Gaza Strip not endangering the safety of Israeli prisoners detained in the region. The news stated, “Sources strongly criticize the statements made by the Chief of Staff. It seems like the operation in Gaza isn’t seen as a threat to the hostages, and the goal presented by the Israeli army for violating the ceasefire and entering Gaza – namely, the release of all hostages – is portrayed as a truly achievable goal.” Criticisms of the army leadership were included in the news, with officials noting that “Defense Minister Yisrael Katz’s statement was perceived as merely being a servant and microphone of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and that no other attitude could be expected from him.” Additionally, the newspaper included statements such as “Removing those who signed petitions calling for the war to end (being expelled from the army) would severely damage the operational capacity of the army.”

OPPOSITION TO GAZA ATTACKS ESCALATING IN ISRAEL

Retired members of the Israeli Air Force, nearly 1,000 pilots and reserve soldiers, had issued a statement calling for the cessation of attacks on Gaza. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had approved the decision to dismiss the signatories of the statement that urged the end of the attacks on Gaza from the Air Force Commander Tomer Bar. The calls of the Air Force pilots and reservists received support from the navy, armored units, military intelligence, military doctors, Mossad, academics, and retired Foreign Ministry officials. A total of 1,525 soldiers, including former Prime Minister Ehud Barak and former army commanders, had signed a statement supporting the calls to end the attacks on Gaza immediately so that the captives can return home. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu had referred to the current and retired soldiers who called for a halt to the attacks on Gaza for the release of captives as “a handful of weeds” and accused them of trying to overthrow the coalition government he leads.

SUPPORT FROM PROMINENT FIGURES FOR SIGNATURE CAMPAIGNS

In Israel, since April 10, a large number of military personnel, academics, and security officials ranging from reservists who can be called up for military service to retirees, injured veterans, and prominent former leaders such as former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, have been submitting petitions demanding an end to the attacks in Gaza and the return of captives. Among the signatories are names like former Chief of Staff Danny Halutz and former Air Force Commander Nimrod Sheffer. It is noted that the number of people who have signed the prepared petitions has reached 10,000 so far.