Israel Intensifies Military Campaign in Gaza Under New Leadership of Eyal Zamir
A week ago, the Israeli military reignited its offensive operations in the Gaza Strip, launching simultaneous aerial and ground assaults that have resulted in hundreds of casualties. This tough approach is largely spearheaded by Eyal Zamir, the new Chief of Staff, who has held his position for only a few weeks. Zamir took over from Herzi Halevi, who stepped down following the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, during which more than 1,200 people lost their lives and over 250 were taken hostage.
The military's lack of preparedness for such a large-scale attack shocked the nation, particularly as citizens in the south sought refuge in their homes and shelters for hours while awaiting rescue. As a militarized nation, Israel's belief in the strength of its armed forces is deeply ingrained. The inability of the military to protect its citizens on that tragic day signified a critical failure that led to Halevi’s resignation. He had been a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Zamir, who previously held a high-ranking position in the Ministry of Defense, has a longstanding relationship with the military, stemming from a family background rich in military service. At age 59, Zamir boasts a career of nearly four decades, having engaged in conflicts across Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank. His experiences include commanding a tank brigade and serving as chief of staff for ground forces. Notably, his family continues this legacy, with one of his sons fighting in the current Gaza conflict and his daughter enlisting as a reservist.
Since officially resuming hostilities, Zamir has directed attacks on multiple fronts. The ceasefire ended abruptly with unexpected airstrikes on Tuesday, and ground troops advanced into Gaza the following day. The military has been progressively intensifying its strikes, recently targeting the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, allegedly to eliminate a key Hamas figure. Additionally, clashes with Hezbollah along the Lebanese border and increased operations against terrorists in the West Bank have been reported, signaling a potential shift towards a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.
There is a prevailing expectation that Zamir would adopt a more aggressive warfare strategy compared to his predecessor. Shortly after assuming command, he stated, "From now on, there is only one direction: victory." This sentiment has resonated within the government, where Netanyahu himself has praised Zamir’s adeptness at bridging the gap between military and political spheres.
Despite the previous ceasefire and ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding the release of hostages and troop withdrawals, Zamir has remained active on the ground, visiting various deployment sites, including Gaza, the contested city of Jenin, and the Lebanese border. He is reported to be particularly focused on offensive strategies.
As discussions about a complete occupation of Gaza emerge, military and political leaders in Israel face a controversial and challenging strategy that would demand significant personnel resources. Given Zamir's track record and close ties with the government, there is speculation that he would not oppose such a plan should negotiations with Hamas fall short.
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