The War Against Hamas: Israel’s Push for Victory Amid Deep Internal Divisions

In a recent X post by Mario Nawfal (Above), a prominent commentator on global affairs, he highlighted a breaking report from Israeli journalist Tamir Morag of Channel 14. The post claims sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have confirmed that “the die is cast” for a decisive final move: the full conquest of the Gaza Strip and the complete elimination of Hamas. It adds a stark ultimatum—if IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir disagrees, he should resign. This revelation, shared on August 4, 2025, underscores the escalating tensions within Israel’s leadership as the war against Hamas enters its 22nd month. As ceasefire talks collapse and hostage videos surface showing emaciated captives, Netanyahu’s strategy appears poised for intensification, but it is met with fierce internal opposition that threatens to fracture the nation’s unity.

Benjamin Netanyahu: “Hamas monsters starves the hostages like the Nazis starved the Jews. Hamas doesn’t want a deal. They want to break us. But we won’t break. We will free the hostages and destroy Hamas, and Gaza will never be a threat to Israel again” – clip at X

The Israel-Hamas war, ignited by Hamas’s brutal October 7, 2023, attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages, has evolved into one of the most protracted and destructive conflicts in the region’s history. Initially, Israel’s response was swift and overwhelming: airstrikes, ground incursions, and a blockade that aimed to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure. By early 2024, the IDF had gained control over significant portions of northern Gaza, but the group proved resilient, operating through an extensive tunnel network and using civilians as shields. A brief ceasefire in January 2025, mediated by Qatar and the U.S., allowed for the release of some hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but it collapsed amid mutual accusations of violations. Subsequent phases saw intensified operations, including a major offensive in May 2025, where Israel expanded its ground presence, displacing hundreds of thousands and drawing international condemnation for what the UN described as potential ethnic cleansing.

As of August 2025, the war shows no signs of abating. Recent updates reveal a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with only 36 aid trucks entering on August 3, exacerbating starvation among the population. Hamas released harrowing videos of Israeli hostages, including one depicting a captive “digging his own grave,” prompting global outrage and calls for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to intervene. Israel has urged international support for hostage releases, with President Isaac Herzog emphasizing the need for pressure on Hamas. Militarily, the IDF continues targeted strikes, but ceasefire negotiations—facilitated by Egypt, the U.S., and Saudi Arabia—have stalled due to Hamas’s internal fractures and conflicting demands. U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, has floated an “all or nothing” deal, but Netanyahu’s cabinet is now deliberating next steps, including potential expansion.

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However, this hardline stance has ignited profound internal struggles within Israel, exposing rifts that predate the war but have been amplified by its toll—over 40,000 Palestinian deaths, 1,500 Israeli soldiers lost, and economic strain from prolonged mobilization. Public opinion is deeply divided: A 2024 survey showed 62% of Israelis viewing internal divisions as a greater threat than external enemies, a sentiment that persists into 2025. Protests have surged, with families of hostages criticizing Netanyahu for prioritizing military victory over negotiations. In July 2025, prominent Israelis and activists broke their silence, raising alarms about potential war crimes and calling for an end to the conflict. The schism extends to the political and military elite. Netanyahu’s cabinet is fractured, with far-right ministers pushing for full annexation while centrists and security officials warn of overextension.

In August 2025, 19 former defense chiefs declared Israel “on the precipice of defeat,” demanding an immediate halt to the war to avoid further erosion of capabilities. Over 600 retired security officials, including ex-intelligence heads, appealed to President Trump to pressure Netanyahu into ending the conflict, highlighting risks to Israel’s international standing. These divisions mirror broader societal tensions, including debates over a two-state solution and the Palestinian Authority’s role post-Hamas. Central to this internal turmoil is IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, whose potential resignation looms large in the X post. Appointed in March 2025, Zamir has positioned himself as a pragmatic voice, declaring 2025 a “year of war” focused on Gaza and Iran but emphasizing strategic clarity. He has urged ministers to define how the IDF should proceed, opposing open-ended ground invasions that could endanger hostages and strain resources.

In recent assessments, Zamir warned that the military would soon determine if a hostage deal is viable or if intensification is needed, but he canceled a U.S. visit amid stalled talks, conditioning it on a durable ceasefire. Military leaders, including Zamir, support encircling Hamas areas rather than full conquest, clashing with Netanyahu’s “instruct the IDF” approach to victory. His stance reflects broader military concerns: In June 2025, he refocused efforts on Gaza post-Iran truce, but cautioned against undefined goals. These internal struggles have broader implications. Domestically, they risk paralyzing decision-making, as seen in Netanyahu’s equivocation over invasions to appease coalition partners. Internationally, Israel’s isolation grows, with over 100 journalists demanding access to Gaza amid accusations of narrative control. The war’s hybrid nature—combining conventional strikes with attrition tactics—has worn down both sides, but Hamas’s resilience and Gaza’s devastation fuel global calls for resolution.

A Palestinian poll in May 2025 showed a plurality expecting Hamas to retain control, underscoring the challenge of elimination. As Netanyahu convenes his cabinet to redefine war objectives, the X post encapsulates a pivotal moment: Will Israel pursue conquest at the cost of unity, or will internal dissent force a pivot toward diplomacy? With hostages’ lives hanging in the balance and public fatigue mounting, the internal struggle may prove as decisive as the battlefield. The path forward remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—the war against Hamas is as much a test of Israel’s resolve as it is of its cohesion.

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