Zamir: Gaza War Among Israel’s Most Complex and Difficult Conflicts

Zamir: Gaza War Among Israel’s Most Complex and Difficult Conflicts
Zamir: Gaza War Among Israel’s Most Complex and Difficult Conflicts
Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated on Wednesday that the war in the Gaza Strip is "one of the most complex and difficult wars" Israel has ever fought, and claimed that conditions are now favorable for a potential hostage deal.اضافة اعلان

Speaking at a National Security College graduation ceremony, according to Yedioth Ahronoth, Zamir said:

“During Operation Chariots of Gideon—which has been ongoing since May—we have inflicted severe damage on Hamas’s governance and military capabilities.”

Since October 7, 2023, Israel—backed by unwavering U.S. support—has carried out what many describe as a genocidal campaign in Gaza, leaving over 195,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, the majority of whom are women and children, in addition to more than 10,000 missing and hundreds of thousands displaced.

Despite the devastation, Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, continues to carry out attacks on Israeli troops and military vehicles across the Gaza Strip.

Zamir claimed that the operational strength demonstrated by the Israeli military has now created a “favorable environment for progressing toward a deal.”

Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel are currently taking place in Qatar in a renewed attempt to reach a hostage exchange and ceasefire agreement.

Israel estimates that 50 hostages are being held in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive, while Israel holds more than 10,800 Palestinians in its prisons, many of whom face torture, starvation, and medical neglect—conditions that have led to multiple deaths, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights reports.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hamas announced its agreement to release 10 Israeli hostages alive, describing the move as part of its flexibility in pursuit of an agreement. However, Israel remains intransigent on key points, including:

The flow of humanitarian aid

Withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza

Firm guarantees for a permanent ceasefire

Zamir reiterated that the war on Gaza is one of Israel’s most complicated and challenging.

The broader Arab-Israeli conflict has witnessed five major wars: in 1948, 1956, 1967, 1973, and 1982. More recently, Israel launched a 12-day war against Iran in June 2025.

In Gaza, not a day passes without the Israeli army announcing casualties from Palestinian resistance attacks. Since the start of the war, 888 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 6,076 wounded, according to data published on the Israeli army’s official website—though Israel maintains strict censorship over its military losses.

— (Anadolu Agency)