Netanyahu and Army Chief Clash Over Iran Operations Ahead of Elections

New details have emerged regarding disagreements between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir concerning military actions against Iran and escalation in the West Bank, just before the Knesset elections. These developments come as Netanyahu intensifies his rhetoric about the Iranian threat amid a tight electoral race where neither bloc is guaranteed a majority, raising concerns that electoral calculations might influence security decisions.

Reports from Israel Hayom and the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan 11) on Monday indicated that Netanyahu had pushed for a swift military operation against Iran, which Zamir opposed. Netanyahu also insisted on continuing an "aggressive operation" in Hebron, despite the Chief of Staff's recommendation to end it. A source familiar with the matter told Israel Hayom that Mossad chief Ronen Hoffman supported the proposed operation against Iran, while Zamir, who was not previously aware of it, objected. The source claimed the move could be based on "valid professional reasons" unrelated to the elections, though it might risk renewed confrontation with Tehran, emphasizing it would not signify a resumption of a large-scale military offensive.

Israel Hayom presented potential justifications for Netanyahu's actions, contrasting with reports focusing on the Chief of Staff's objections. The newspaper added that security agencies do not fundamentally oppose weakening Iran but disagree on the timing, methods, and whether overthrowing the regime should be a goal. Israeli-American concepts targeting the Iranian regime were also mentioned, without confirmation of their adoption. Conversely, Channel 12 reported that Zamir demanded in-depth discussions and written, signed orders from the political level before executing directives that could lead to a new confrontation. Military concerns were raised about miscalculation during this sensitive period, with some estimates suggesting Netanyahu's statements and limited Israeli military actions could provoke Iran into retaliating, potentially triggering a wider conflict without a prior Israeli decision for full-scale war.

CNN, citing an Israeli security source, reported that Netanyahu attempted to persuade then-US President Donald Trump to conduct a joint attack on Iran before the elections but did not receive his approval. The source added that Zamir informed US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kaine that an attack could disrupt the Israeli elections and lead to their postponement. Netanyahu's office denied the report, calling it "fake news." The Israeli military stated its considerations were "solely security, professional, objective, and institutional," without directly addressing the alleged conversation between Zamir and Kaine. US sources indicated the Trump administration preferred to delay a broad attack until after the midterm congressional elections, citing concerns about rising oil prices. Israel's acceptance of a delay was also linked to its need for US support in missile defense, given the possibility of an Iranian response or Houthi attacks.

In a separate matter, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that Netanyahu rejected Zamir's recommendation to end military operations in Hebron during a situation assessment at Tel Nof base, as Zamir believed the operation had achieved its objectives. Zamir reportedly explained there was no longer a military or legal justification to prevent displaced Palestinian families from returning to their homes, but Netanyahu insisted on its continuation. Kan 11 quoted a military official stating that forces searched about 500 buildings and found a rifle and a pistol, while participating soldiers complained about remaining in the field without actual tasks, with some not having returned home for 28 days. The house searches and displacement of residents focused on an area inhabited by the Jaber family, which the army claims is linked to Hamas.

In recent days, Netanyahu published an image resembling a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv and reiterated a text presenting the confrontation with Iran as a priority over internal political disputes, despite previously discussing reducing the Iranian threat. Israeli assessments link the intensification of this rhetoric to Netanyahu's fears of losing power. Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, called for an investigation into reports of attempts to push Israel into war before the elections, while Gadi Eisenkot warned against using security as a political tool. Conversely, Defense Minister Israel Katz denied any Israeli intention to launch an attack on Iran before the vote, accusing the opposition of exploiting the reports to challenge the political leadership's considerations. The Israel Hayom narrative suggests that disagreements over Iran are not about fundamentally rejecting military action but about its nature, timing, and consequences, with military assessments warning that limited Israeli actions could lead to a broader confrontation that might affect the elections' scheduled date.