The discussion was about whether it is right to now have as the main goal to do everything militarily to crush the Palestinian Hamas. Zamir described it as reckless to have this as the overriding goal ahead of getting the hostages free who were taken during the terrorist-stamped organization's major attack in October 2023.
Where were you on October 7? The 8th? The 9th? he said according to Israeli Channel 13.
Are you coming to it now, after two years?
"Against military rule"
Zamir and many others in Israel see it as that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government at the beginning of the war was more concerned with proceeding cautiously militarily, but that one is now pushing on without any consideration for either the hostages, the civilian population or what will happen after the war.
You are on your way to a military rule, Zamir continued according to the news site Ynet.
Your plan is leading us there. You need to understand what it means.
Instead of Netanyahu's plans to conquer Gaza City, one should return to the negotiating table, according to Zamir.
There is a framework agreement on the table. We must take it, he said according to the TV channel Keshet 12.
"Israel's Vietnam"
The framework agreement was presented by the mediating countries Egypt and Qatar in August. Hamas quickly said yes to it, which opened up for further talks. But Israel has not responded. Netanyahu is said to have refused to vote on the matter during the cabinet meeting, which took place on Monday night, citing that US President Donald Trump does not want to see such a deal.
But several ministers are said to have supported Zamir's line, including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel.
Regional Minister David Amsalem from Netanyahu's party Likud is said to have stated that the planned new major offensive can turn Gaza into "Israel's Vietnam" - that is, a prolonged and bloody conflict that cannot be won.
Despite all the disagreement, Zamir promised to follow the guidelines that the politicians decide, writes the newspaper Israel Hayom.
