IDF Spokesperson Denies Reports of Rift Between Prime Minister and Chief of Staff

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit issued a statement on Monday addressing recent media reports alleging significant tension and a severe rift between Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the political echelon, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The spokesperson's office asserted that the IDF is solely focused on its operational missions and maintaining a high state of alert across all fronts, particularly given the sensitive period and various threats.

According to the statement, any discourse suggesting otherwise is misleading and irrelevant, emphasizing that the IDF's operational activities and considerations are exclusively security-oriented, professional, substantive, and state-driven. This response comes after reports, notably from Channel 12, claimed an unprecedented low in relations between the Prime Minister and the Chief of Staff.

These reports suggested that Zamir refused to carry out a military operation ordered by Netanyahu, requested legal justifications, and allegedly briefed against the government. A security assessment meeting attended by Netanyahu and top political-security officials reportedly devolved into harsh, personal tones after the Prime Minister and political leadership ordered an operation that could have escalated tensions with Iran. Zamir reportedly delayed the operation, demanding further discussions and legal backing from the political level.

Defense Minister Israel Katz also refuted these reports, calling them "completely baseless and false." He stated that coordination between himself, the Prime Minister, and the IDF regarding Iran has been full and has yielded significant achievements for Israel's security. Katz unequivocally stated that Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the upcoming elections, while making clear that Israel would respond forcefully if attacked by Iran.