IDF chief to ministers: Don’t say we faltered while troops risk lives in Gaza

A sharp exchange erupted during a cabinet meeting on April 24 between Israeli ministers and Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir, as political and security officials debated intensifying the military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

Ministers pressed for more aggressive action against Hamas, including capturing larger swathes of territory and relocating civilians to designated humanitarian zones, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

Several ministers voiced frustration that such measures had not been implemented swiftly enough, accusing the military of conducting a "half-hearted" war in Gaza.

Tensions escalated when one minister directly asked Zamir, “Why is the campaign in Gaza stalling?” In response, the IDF chief lost patience and delivered a pointed rebuttal:

“You have no right to say here that the IDF has faltered when a real war is being fought in Gaza. Thousands of soldiers are fighting there. If you don’t feel it here, that’s exactly how it should be.”

Defence Minister Israel Katz intervened to support Zamir during the heated exchange.

The meeting followed Zamir’s recent visit to the Rafah region, where he warned of mounting pressure on Hamas and pledged to escalate operations if hostage negotiations stalled.

“We are continuing our operational pressure and tightening our grip on Hamas as necessary,”  Zamir told troops during his visit.

“And if we see no progress in returning the hostages, we will escalate our actions into a more intensive and significant operation.”

Meanwhile, the Israeli military is bracing for renewed attacks by Hamas. Recent incidents include an ambush near Beit Hanoun in the security zone, where Hamas fighters opened fire on an Israeli SUV. Military sources told the media that Hamas operatives on the ground may launch targeted assaults using a combination of snipers and anti-tank weapons. Troop movements are now being closely monitored by Hamas as part of what the IDF believes is a shift to guerrilla-style warfare.

“The Hamas military wing is preserving its strength and is in no rush to engage in combat,” army sources revealed. “They have long shifted to guerrilla tactics. Meanwhile, Hamas fighters on the ground are watching us — that’s obvious to everyone.”

The developments come as the war, which began with Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel in October 2023, enters a new and deadly phase. After a short-lived ceasefire agreement reached in January 2025, fighting resumed in March following the collapse of internationally mediated peace talks. Hamas rejected a proposal led by US Special Envoy Steven Witkoff, accusing both Israel and the United States of obstructing the process.

The Israeli government has maintained that its renewed military operations are aimed at freeing hostages captured during the October 7 assault. Since the conflict reignited, humanitarian conditions in Gaza have deteriorated significantly.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed since the onset of the war, drawing growing concern and condemnation from the international community.

By Tamilla Hasanova