Tel Aviv (Agencies) July 23, 2025 — Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, has publicly urged political leaders to negotiate a long-term truce in Gaza, acknowledging that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been unable to fully defeat Hamas after nearly two years of continuous operations. Speaking at a high-level meeting at the Gililot military base attended by the General Staff and senior operational commanders, Zamir delivered his first comprehensive assessment of the war since the October 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel.
Zamir stressed that the prolonged campaign has “disrupted plans to rebuild and modernize” the IDF, noting that for two consecutive years the army has been unable to conduct major live-fire exercises, particularly on the northern front. He called for an “operational pause” to allow for essential training, equipment upgrades, and replenishment of combat capability. “2026 will be the year of preparation, reinforcement, and rebuilding combat capability,” he said, warning that without a break, the army risks eroding its readiness across multiple theaters.
According to the IDF’s own annual assessment, the extended Gaza offensive—now the longest since the War of Attrition—has yielded “inconclusive battlefield results.” While Israeli forces have captured significant territory, Hamas fighters remain intact and retain the ability to regroup if Israel withdraws from the strategic “Morag axis.” Zamir cautioned that any unilateral pullback without a durable ceasefire would simply create opportunities for Hamas to reconstitute its positions in previously cleared zones.
The general’s call for a truce diverges sharply from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s insistence on the “humanitarian city” plan in Rafah, which envisions relocating Gaza’s entire civilian population to the Strip’s southern edge ahead of a continued offensive. Zamir reportedly opposes this proposal as “unworkable” and has recommended that a ceasefire, accompanied by hostages’ release mechanisms, would better serve Israel’s long-term security objectives than further territorial advances without clear political backing.
Zamir’s remarks mark a rare candid admission from a senior military leader and underscore the deepening rift between Israel’s political and military leadership over Gaza strategy. His outspoken plea for a negotiated pause places fresh pressure on mediators—Qatar, Egypt, and the United States—who have been brokering indirect talks aimed at securing a temporary ceasefire and the phased release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoner releases.