The Israeli military command has devised a final plan for a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to sign it, causing discontent among high-ranking officers, The New York Times has reported.
One reason for this refusal is the desire of members of the emergency government, formed with opposition representatives after the Hamas attack, to unanimously approve the operation. Analysts speaking to the publication added that Netanyahu is afraid of independently endorsing the plan, fearing that if it fails, public trust in him will erode, and accusations may arise.
A mutual suspicion has arisen between Netanyahu and the military, escalating to the point where political authorities have banned the introduction of recording devices into army command meetings, sources reported. Interviewers perceive this decision as an attempt to obstruct the investigative process that might commence after the war.
The division between them revolves around the objectives in the war. Sources explained that Netanyahu wishes to free all hostages simultaneously with the elimination of Hamas. However, finding a balance between these objectives is extremely challenging. The New York Times notes that disagreements emerged after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant publicly stated on the evening of October 26 that the Israeli army had not included the rescue of hostages in its objectives. Additionally, Israel's political and military leaders differ in their opinions on when and how to commence the invasion.
A poll conducted by the "Maariv" newspaper two weeks after the Hamas attack showed that the majority of Israelis (80 percent) support holding Netanyahu accountable for the Hamas assault on the country. This was the opinion of 69 percent of those who voted for his "Likud" party in last year's elections. Only 8 percent of those surveyed stated that Netanyahu should not be held responsible for these events.
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