![Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces Eyal Zamir (C) conducts a field tour with senior commanders of the Israeli army in Syria on April 21, 2025. [Israel Defense Forces (IDF) - Anadolu Agency]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AA-20250420-37694747-37694745-ISRAELI_CHIEF_OF_THE_GENERAL_STAFF_EYAL_ZAMIR.jpg)
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday that occupying Gaza City could pose a serious threat to the lives of Israeli captives. Zamir urged Netanyahu to accept the current prisoner exchange deal that Hamas has already approved. This comes amid escalating pressure from the families of Israeli prisoners to proceed with a deal ensuring their release, while Netanyahu on Thursday instructed the immediate start of negotiations for their release alongside advancing the plan to occupy the remaining parts of the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu’s recent comments suggest he wants the deal under new terms, while mediators still await his official response to a US proposal that Hamas has agreed to. The proposal largely matches terms […]
