MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is yet to give the go-ahead to the much-touted ground operation in the Gaza Strip after vowing to root out Hamas over the October 7 attack, media reported.
Almost three weeks after the Palestinian attack, Israel's political leadership remains split over when, how and whether the Israeli military should launch a ground offensive against Gaza, where dozens of Israeli hostages are believed to be held, US media reported on Thursday, citing senior Israeli officers and officials.
Netanyahu has reportedly angered the military leadership by refusing to sign off on an invasion plan prepared by the army because he wants it to be approved unanimously by his newly formed war cabinet, two people who attended cabinet meetings told the paper on the condition of anonymity.
Analysts told the medias that Netanyahu appeared to be wary about unilaterally authorizing the invasion because, with public confidence in his government flagging, he fears being blamed for any failure.
The two officials also spoke about growing suspicion between Netanyahu and the military. Officers have been reportedly prohibited from bringing recording devices into cabinet meetings, in a move that was interpreted as an attempt to limit the amount of evidence that could be used against Netanyahu in a post-war inquiry.
Then there is also debate about whether the invasion should be conducted as one large operation or several smaller incursions. Officers and officials familiar with the Qatar-led talks with Hamas also suggested that the delay was intended to give negotiators more time to secure the release of at least some hostages.
