ALWAGHT- Israel's new military chief, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, admitted that the regime has not succeeded in defeating Hamas and suggested the possibility of resuming military operations in Gaza.
Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir was sworn in as Israel’s new military chief, acknowledging that Hamas has not been fully defeated and signaling that the war on Gaza may continue. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has close ties to Zamir, emphasized the heavy responsibility on his shoulders and reiterated the government’s determination to achieve victory. Zamir replaces General Herzi Halevi, who resigned in January after Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hamas.
Netanyahu has resisted broader inquiries into Israel’s failure to prevent the October 7 attack by Hamas, despite both the Israeli military and Shin Bet admitting lapses. His administration appears to be reshuffling top security officials after months of internal tensions. The Israeli assault on Gaza, launched in October 2023, has resulted in over 48,400 Palestinian deaths.
A ceasefire deal in January saw Hamas exchange captives for Palestinian prisoners, but the truce ended on March 1, with Israel seeking an extension. Hamas has insisted that negotiations for a permanent ceasefire must precede any further hostage releases, while Israel has not committed to fully withdrawing its forces or ending the war.