Benjamin Netanyahu initiates complete Israeli military takeover of Gaza to pressure Hamas on hostages

[Hol]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a full military occupation of Gaza, escalating the conflict in the Palestinian territory amid efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages.

Mr Netanyahu informed ministers on Monday (Tuesday AEST) that he plans to seek cabinet approval for the move, despite rising opposition from within the Israel Defence Forces and former military leaders, according to reports from The Times of Israel and Hebrew media.

A senior official close to Mr Netanyahu told Ynet, “The die is cast — we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.”

Netanyahu orders full Israeli occupation of Gaza

Despite pleas from international leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered Israeli forces to occupy the remaining areas of Gaza in a dramatic escalation.

7news.com.au

 

[Hol]

From X

John Spencer

@SpencerGuard
·1h

"In war, you can't give the enemy a sanctuary." Continue to flood Gaza with aid. Call for the evacuations (civilians should heed those calls). Continue to distinguish between Hamas combatants and civilians. Areas out of concern for the hostages and civilians. ..”

https://x.com/SpencerGuard/status/1952572731565674764

 

[Hol]

Government votes to remove Attorney General​

On Monday evening, the government unanimously approved a proposal by Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin to immediately end the tenure of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

The government plans to begin the process of appointing her replacement without delay, despite the Supreme Court’s position that a new appointment should not proceed until the current term concludes.

During the cabinet meeting, Minister Levin criticized Baharav Miara’s conduct, accusing her of contradicting herself. “In section D-1 of her letter, she claims there is good cooperation with the government. But in section D-2, she says her legal opinions are systematically dismissed. If there is true cooperation, how can her views be ignored?” Levin said. “This claim of cooperation is nonsense. On every key legal and political issue, she has aligned with the opposition—even on marginal matters like Bar Association membership fee laws.”

Levin also dismissed claims that Baharav Miara’s termination is linked to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing trial. “She hints that her role in the PM’s trial protects her from being dismissed. That’s an extremely dangerous suggestion,” he said. “Her dismissal has nothing to do with the trial—none of the reasons given relate to it.”

Despite the vote, Baharav Miara is expected to continue in her role temporarily and report for work the following day. In the meantime, several senior ministers have stated they will only cooperate with deputies until a new appointment is made.

Government votes to remove Attorney General

On Monday evening, the government unanimously approved a proposal by Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin to immediately end the tenure of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

www.israelnationalnews.com

 

[Hol]

It’s unclear to me, but it seems that Israel’s AG is very powerful and has been blocking Netanyahu’s ability to clean up in Gaza.

 

[Hol]

PM and Chief of Staff clash over conquest of Gaza​

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to propose during an upcoming cabinet meeting that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launch a full-scale military operation to conquer the Gaza Strip, dismantle Hamas, and secure the return of Israeli hostages.

Israeli officials have concluded that, under current conditions, the hostages cannot be released through either partial or comprehensive agreements. As a result, the plan is to instruct the IDF to seize control of Gaza and defeat Hamas militarily.

Previous negotiation efforts have collapsed due to Hamas’s extensive demands, which include only a partial release of hostages, the release of hundreds of imprisoned terrorists — including members of the elite Nukhba unit — a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a return to the pre-war status as of October 6.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly given his approval for a military operation against Hamas. Meanwhile, officials in Jerusalem confirm that Netanyahu is still engaged in high-level discussions regarding the continuation of the war.

Sources from the Prime Minister’s Office told journalists, “We are moving toward full occupation. If the Chief of Staff disagrees, he can resign.” However, military officials warn that such a move could risk the lives of all remaining hostages.

PM and Chief of Staff clash over conquest of Gaza

The Prime Minister is expected to propose a plan for conquering the Gaza Strip, defeating Hamas, and returning the hostages - despite opposition from Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

www.israelnationalnews.com

 

[Hol]

Zamir concludes MG Zini's military service in wake of ISA nomination​

IDF Chief of General Staff LTG Eyal Zamir met on Friday morning with MG David Zini, who was nominated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be appointed as Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) Director.

During the meeting, the Chief of Staff decided on MG Zini's retirement from military service in the upcoming days. The IDF noted that Zamir expressed his appreciation to MG Zini for his significant and lengthy service in combat roles.

The Chief of Staff reiterated that any discourse conducted by IDF soldiers with the political echelon must be approved by the Chief of General Staff.

Later, the IDF Spokespersons Unit clarified that MG Zini was not dismissed from the IDF. "In the meeting between the Chief of General Staff and MG David Zini this morning, his retirement from the IDF was finalized following his appointment as the head of the ISA. MG Zini is an appreciated and decorated officer."

Zamir, according to reports, was notified about the nomination only minutes before the Prime Minister's Office announcement and was not let in on the decision-making process.

On the other hand, those close to Zini say that the officer did apply for the position, but rather met the Prime Minister two weeks ago during a visit to the Tze'elim Base.

…

The Prime Minister's Office responded on Friday to criticism of the decision to nominate a new director, despite a directive from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara not to, and claims that the Prime Minister was in a conflict of interest. "The Prime Minister is responsible for the security of the state, even more so during a multi-front war. In the midst of the war, it would be incorrect to suffice with the appointment of an Acting Director of the Israeli Security Agency (ISA)," the statement claimed.

Zamir concludes MG Zini's military service in wake of ISA nomination

Zamir finalizes Zini’s retirement after being sidelined from nomination process; Prime Minister defends timing and legality of Shin Bet appointment amid Attorney General objections and wartime urgency.

www.israelnationalnews.com

 

[Hol]

Netanyahu's bid to oust Shin Bet director draws coalition praise, opposition outrage​

Tel Aviv [Israel], March 17 (ANI/TPS): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to fire the head of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) drew praise from members of the governing coalition and fierce criticism from the opposition. No Shin Bet director has ever been dismissed in the middle of his term.

Political tensions climbed on Sunday when Netanyahu notified Shin Bet director Ronen Bar on Sunday that the Cabinet would vote to fire him in the coming days. After the meeting, Netanyahu said in a video statement, "At all times, but especially during an existential war such as the one we face, there must be full trust between the prime minister and the head of the Shin Bet. But unfortunately, the situation is the opposite -- I do not have such trust. I have ongoing distrust in the head of the Shin Bet, a distrust that has grown over time."

But Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said Netanyahu did not have the authority to dismiss Bar without a legal review.

…

Bennett added that while several security officials "took responsibility" for the failures of Hamas's October 7 attacks, "Netanyahu, on the other hand, is running away from his responsibility. The State of Israel will not be able to recover without his resignation."

Most prominent among the resignations following the conclusion of the army's internal probes of the October 7 attacks was Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, who was recently replaced by Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir.

Netanyahus bid to oust Shin Bet director draws coalition praise, opposition outrage - The Tribune

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus plan to fire the head of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) drew praise from members of the governing coalition and fierce criticism from the opposition. No Shin Bet director has ever been dismissed in the middle of his term.

www.tribuneindia.com

From Newsmax:
Eyal Zamir was sworn in as the 24th Chief of Staff of the IDF at the Defense Headquarters in Tel Aviv, after receiving the rank of lieutenant general in the command changeover ceremony led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Zamir was appointed to replace outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who resigned his position over the IDF's failure to prevent the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre.

my question is if anyone who follows Israeli politics and is trying to make sense of this thread can help?

It seems that the AG, who is also persecuting Netanyahu with phony trials, has the last word on allowing the IDF to occupy Gaza? She resisted firing the head of Shin-bet, insisting on picking his replacement. All of this was tied to “…
resignations following the conclusion of the army's internal probes of the October 7 attacks was Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, who was recently replaced by Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir.“

 

[dwb]

This is an impossible place to be. Stuck between a rock and a hard place would be much easier to navigate.

 

[Margery]

It’s unclear to me, but it seems that Israel’s AG is very powerful and has been blocking Netanyahu’s ability to clean up in Gaza.

They were part of the opposition to Netanyahu long before the Gaza invasion of Israel, and that unelected leftist body has been creating roadblocks by forcing Netanyahu into court to testify while he's been busy night and day with the different challenges ever since the invasion.

It's a coup attempt by the left, and it was a part of why the observations of Gaza's growing attack were ignored before the invasion. it wasn't politically correct, so it stayed low on the information food chain. That was the Shin Bet problem and it definitely contributed to the invasion.

Everytime Netanyahu has tried to bring the Supreme Court back UNDER the elected leadership of the Knesset, there were riots in the streets. One of which trapped Sarah N in her hair dresser's place as thousands were rioting outside in the street. It took the army to get her safely out.

The voters consistently vote right, while the left in Israel uses lawfare by the Supreme Court to harass and delay things.

 

[mattfivefour]

The voters consistently vote right, while the left in Israel uses lawfare by the Supreme Court to harass and delay things.

Sounds awfully familiar here.

 

[Hol]

It's a coup attempt by the left, and it was a part of why the observations of Gaza's growing attack were ignored before the invasion. it wasn't politically correct, so it stayed low on the information food chain. That was the Shin Bet problem and it definitely contributed to the invasion.

And to complicate things, many of the older military leaders are socialists. I recently learned that Moshe Dayan was a socialist!

I think if you transplant someone raised in socialism to another country, it’s better if it’s a capitalist country. Jewish socialists need so much reeducation into things like God’s plan for property ownership. Israel’s left, at their extreme, are anti-Zionists.

 

[Margery]

And to complicate things, many of the older military leaders are socialists. I recently learned that Moshe Dayan was a socialist!

I think if you transplant someone raised in socialism to another country, it’s better if it’s a capitalist country. Jewish socialists need so much reeducation into things like God’s plan for property ownership. Israel’s left, at their extreme, are anti-Zionists.

Part of the problem is that the original settlers in the late 1800s early part of the 1900 were all socialists before the term was invented. Thats how Kibbutzes operated.

So there is a deep hard core socialist thought within Israel. It was founded as a socialist country.

Add in the Jews out of the former Soviet Union who came from generations of Socialist thinking, and they make up a huge percent of modern Israeli life today.

The transplants are actually Jewish Americans who understand the capitalist system, and they have been arriving since 1948. They've been responsible for much of the movement to the right economically and politically.

Netanyahu's family is a good example.

God blesses the Jews so even the socialist kibbutz dwellers made profits, but their ideas of how a country works are definitely leaving a mark as the children of the immigrants from Russia and the kibbutz grow up learning about exports and how the economy works. Political ideas lag a bit behind. Religious ideas range from secular to the ultra Orthodox who refuse to allow their children to be conscripted into the army.