Israel’s new military chief Eyal Zamir visits the Western Wall, in the Old City of al-Quds, March 5, 2025. (Photo by Reuters)
Tel Aviv, March 5 (RHC)-- The Israeli military’s new chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has acknowledged that the regime has failed to defeat the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas as he hinted at the possibility of resuming the war on Gaza.
“I accept command of the (Israeli military) with modesty and humility... Hamas has indeed suffered a severe blow, but it has not yet been defeated. The mission is not yet accomplished,” Zamir said during his inauguration Wednesday.
Addressing the incoming military chief, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “A very heavy responsibility rests on your shoulders.” “The results of the war will have significance for generations, we are determined to achieve… victory,” he added.
Zamir is close to Netanyahu, having served as his military secretary about 10 years ago. He was sworn in as the new military chief to replace General Herzi Halevi, who resigned in January, soon after the Gaza ceasefire deal was agreed.
Both the Israeli military and the internal spy agency Shin Bet have acknowledged failure to prevent the historic Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, but Netanyahu has so far resisted a more general inquiry that would look at the responsibility of his cabinet.
There appears to be a push by Netanyahu to change his military and spy chiefs with whom he has been sparring over the past 16 months.
Israel launched the campaign of genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023. It has killed over 48,400 Palestinians there so far.
In January, the Israeli regime was forced to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas given the regime’s failure to achieve any of its objectives, including the “elimination” of the Palestinian resistance movement or the release of captives.
During the first phase of the deal, Hamas exchanged 33 Israeli captives and five Thais for some 2,000 Palestinians.
The 42-day stage of the truce, which was marred by repeated Israeli violations, expired on March 1st, with Israel calling for an extension of the truce to allow the release of the remaining captives. There has been no mention by the regime of any commitment to end the war or fully withdraw its troops, however.
Hamas has insisted on proceeding to negotiations on a permanent ceasefire before agreeing to any further releases.
[ SOURCE: PRESS TV and NEWS AGENCIES ]
