Nuclear mushroom cloud over Tel Aviv, Trump's message - and what the IDF really fears

Tensions between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Zamir and the IDF top brass are escalating ahead of the elections. According to reports, Netanyahu intends to demand the dismissal of the Chief of Staff if he forms a government. The dispute concerns the Air Force's overt flights in the Middle East, with the IDF fearing a security deterioration that could disrupt the elections. Netanyahu's and Katz's offices deny.

Tensions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the IDF top brass are escalating ahead of the elections. According to reports based on statements from the Prime Minister's circle, he intends to demand the dismissal of the Chief of Staff if he forms the next government. Military sources in the IDF confirm that there is tension between the political echelon and the Chief of Staff and senior officials. The dispute concerns the Air Force's overt flights in certain areas of the Middle East. The IDF presented the risk that these flights could lead to a security deterioration that might disrupt the elections. A military source said that Iran is currently cautious, and mentioned reports of a nuclear mushroom cloud image over Tel Aviv and a tweet from Trump stating they would not attack Iran. Netanyahu's office strongly denied: "Absolute fake news from beginning to end." Netanyahu said he does not intend to fire the Chief of Staff. Defense Minister Katz called the reports "a fabrication and an absolute lie" aimed at harming Likud ahead of the elections.