New Israeli military chief to present plan to restart war on Gaza: Report

The Israeli military’s new chief of staff is set to present plans for the resumption of the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, amid the fragile ceasefire agreement, a report says.

On Thursday, Haaretz reported that Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, before his inauguration, asked for time to present a plan for the resumption of war in Gaza, adding “he will now be tasked with doing so within days.”

“The government is demanding that Zamir present plans for taking control of parts of Gaza.”

The report, however, noted that sources familiar with the plan's details have cast doubt over the Israeli military’s ability to draft the number of reserve soldiers needed to retake different areas across Gaza, including areas that the Israeli army left during the first phase of the truce deal.

Many officers in the Israeli military’s “reserves have made it clear that they plan to end their service and not continue volunteering for combat operations in Gaza, citing their belief that the return to fighting is based on political considerations, all while endangering the lives of the hostages held in Gaza.”

Haaretz also noted that the burnout of reservists and the condition of the equipment “makes it hard” for some brigades and units to fight.

Citing other sources, the report stressed that the idea that the war in Gaza would be more intense than before is “overblown” as the occupying regime wants to keep its forces ready for the possibility of retaliatory strikes.

New Israeli military chief hints at resumption of war on Gaza

The Israeli military’s new chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has acknowledged that the regime has failed to defeat Hamas, hinting at at the possibility of resuming the war on Gaza.

During his inauguration, Zamir acknowledged that the regime has failed to defeat the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas as he hinted at the possibility of resuming the war on Gaza.

“I accept command (of the Israeli military) with modesty and humility... Hamas has indeed suffered a severe blow, but it has not yet been defeated. The mission is not yet accomplished,” Zamir said on Wednesday.

He was sworn in as the new military chief to replace General Herzi Halevi, who resigned in January, soon after the Gaza ceasefire deal was agreed.

Israel launched the campaign of genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023. It has killed at least 48,446 Palestinians there so far.

In January, the Israeli regime was forced to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas given the regime’s failure to achieve any of its objectives, including the “elimination” of the Palestinian resistance movement or the release of captives.

During the first phase of the deal, Hamas exchanged 33 Israeli captives and five Thais for some 2,000 Palestinians.

The 42-day stage of the truce, which was marred by repeated Israeli violations, expired on March 1, with Israel refraining from stepping into talks for the second stage of the agreement. 

Hamas has insisted on proceeding to negotiations on a permanent ceasefire before agreeing to any further releases of Israeli captives.

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