Zamir wants to end the operation in Hebron, Netanyahu and Katz demand to continue

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir conveyed a message to the political echelon that there is no justification for continuing Operation "Sha'aguat Yehuda" in Hebron. Netanyahu and Katz rejected the position and clarified that operations must continue with greater intensity until Hamas infrastructure in the city is uprooted. The closure and siege will remain in effect at least until after the elections.

A professional dispute has emerged between the defense establishment and the political echelon regarding the continuation of Operation "Sha'aguat Yehuda" in Hebron. IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, conveyed a message to the political echelon stating the military's position that the operation should be concluded, as forces no longer see a need for continued extensive offensive activity within the city's dense Arab neighborhoods. According to the command echelon's position, the immediate objectives of the operation against local terrorist infrastructure have already been achieved, and continued massive presence in the area could create friction, endanger soldiers' lives, and even lead to broader escalation. In contrast, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected the Chief of Staff's recommendation and instructed the IDF to continue the operation with greater intensity until Hamas infrastructure in Hebron is completely uprooted. As part of the political echelon's decision, it was determined that the closure on the city of Hebron and the siege on Judea and Samaria will remain in full effect at least until after the upcoming elections.