Israeli Army Pressures Netanyahu: Choose Between Full Gaza Control or Prisoner Swap
IDF Chief Prefers Hostage Deal Over Continued War as Cabinet Faces Critical Decision Amid Shifting Priorities.
Watan-Israeli sources claimed on Sunday evening that the military has asked the government to decide the next step in the ongoing war—either to complete its control over the Gaza Strip or proceed with a prisoner exchange deal, with the army favoring the latter.
Israel’s Channel 12 cited unnamed informed sources as saying that the army, led by Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, has requested a decision from the government regarding the direction of the war in Gaza.
According to the sources, the army outlined two possible paths: either to fully occupy the entire Gaza Strip, or to move toward a hostage deal. The army has reportedly expressed a clear preference for the second option.
The sources added that Chief of Staff Halevi informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government that the army currently has military control over approximately 75% of the Gaza Strip’s territory (about 365 square kilometers).
Channel 12 reported growing internal disagreement between the Israeli military and the government over whether the war should continue until complete occupation of Gaza or pivot toward a prisoner exchange and ceasefire.
A decision is expected during a meeting of the Security Cabinet (the “War Cabinet”) chaired by Netanyahu on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, the Hebrew daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported Sunday that Netanyahu has reprioritized the goals of the war in Gaza by placing the return of hostages at the top of the agenda.
According to the paper, Netanyahu told unnamed officials from Shin Bet (Israel’s internal security service):“I bring you good news—many new opportunities have opened up after the victory over Iran… The top priority now is rescuing the hostages.”
He added:“Naturally, we must also resolve the Gaza issue and eliminate Hamas, but I believe we will achieve both goals,” the paper quoted him as saying.
The newspaper noted that Netanyahu’s usual priority has been what he calls “complete victory” in Gaza, which includes destroying Hamas’s military capabilities.
However, Netanyahu—wanted by the International Criminal Court—has so far failed to achieve either the declared war aims or the recovery of Israeli captives.
