But analysts say the Israeli military is most concerned with ensuring that hard-won tactical gains against Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, are not wasted. General Hagari said that for this reason, Gaza must have an alternative to Hamas.
For now, Mr. Netanyahu is trying to avoid making a decision on how to manage the enclave once the fighting stops. The United States and other allies say the Palestinian Authority, which oversees parts of the occupied West Bank, should eventually take over Gaza, while far-right coalition partners on whom Netanyahu depends for his political survival support permanent Israeli rule in Gaza.
As a result, Mr. Netanyahu has mostly resisted the various competitive pressures he has faced. He ruled out the possibility of the Palestinian Authority government and Israel establishing new settlements in Gaza and vowed to continue the offensive until Hamas was destroyed. He said little about who will ultimately be responsible for the enclave’s 2.2 million residents.
Gen. Shamni said Gen. Hagari’s comments seemed aimed at forcing Netanyahu to take a stand. “You have to make a decision and tell us what you want,” General Shamni said. “You don’t want the Palestinian Authority, okay. Tell us what you want. A military junta? They didn’t even say that much.
“The entire government has no position,” he added.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said last month that Netanyahu’s inability to make a clear choice led Israel inexorably toward two unattractive outcomes: either an Israeli military regime in Gaza, Either that or Hamas finally returns to power.
“We will pay the price in blood and many victims for no reason and at a heavy economic cost,” Galante said in a televised speech.
Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza face growing anarchy. There are no police to enforce law and order, and public services such as garbage collection are almost non-existent. In southern Gaza, thousands of tons of humanitarian aid are stuck on the Gaza side of the main Israeli border crossing because aid groups say it is too dangerous to distribute.
Israeli military leaders are increasingly concerned they may be asked to shoulder the burden, said Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli brigadier general and former chairman of the Hawks Forum of Security Officials. “This is the last thing they want to see,” said General Avivi, although he personally supports long-term Israeli control there.
General Avivi said some people believe the war’s goals have been achieved as far as possible and are eager to end the fighting in Gaza and turn their attention to growing tensions with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
