Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clashed with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir during a cabinet meeting over a contentious plan to evacuate civilians in Gaza and lay siege to its northern region, The Times of Israel reported. According to quotes cited by The Times of Israel from the closed-door meeting, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich accused Zamir of failing to carry out orders, claiming it had led to a stalemate in Gaza. Zamir reportedly pushed back, saying: “You always say there is a stalemate in the Strip. There is no stalemate... We’re doing exactly what you tasked us with. You certainly don’t need to be reminded that we have soldiers dying in battle.” Netanyahu responded that the IDF should “work on a wide-scale evacuation plan of the population to the south of the Strip,” while Smotrich added, “And lay siege to the north [of Gaza]. That way we’ll topple Hamas in no time,” The Times of Israel reported. In response, Zamir reportedly asked, “Do you want a military government [in Gaza]? Who will govern 2 million people?” Netanyahu countered, “The IDF and the State of Israel. I don’t want a military government, but I want to move [Gazans] to a large civilian area. [I’m] not willing to leave Hamas behind in any way.” (ANI)
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