IDF Chief Zamir Urges International Groups to Distribute Gaza Aid

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir is shaping the IDF’s multi-front war strategy with clear-eyed pragmatism and moral clarity. As he approaches 60 days in his post, Zamir has called for international and private organizations not the IDF to take the lead in distributing food aid to civilians in Gaza.

Zamir emphasized that while the IDF must not allow Hamas to control aid, it also cannot afford to let Gazan civilians starve. However, the military itself cannot and will not engage in aid distribution. The burden, he argues, must fall to vetted international and private actors, with the selection of those partners left to Israel’s political leadership.

This call comes as the IDF escalates operations in Gaza. Striking more than 1,800 targets and killing over 400 Hamas operatives in recent weeks, Israel’s military is intensifying efforts even as it grapples with immense humanitarian complexities.

Crucially, Zamir has made it clear that in his view, the return of Israeli hostages is the top priority—placing it even above the defeat of Hamas. This contrasts with statements from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has consistently maintained that victory over Hamas is the war’s primary goal.

Zamir’s stance raises significant questions about recent decisions by the Israeli government, including the rejection of Hamas proposals for phased hostage releases in exchange for extended ceasefires and an eventual end to the war. While Zamir hasn’t publicly addressed those decisions in detail, his prioritization of hostage rescue suggests an internal divergence within Israel’s leadership.

Beyond Gaza, Zamir is managing Israel’s presence on multiple fronts. The IDF has killed over 140 Hezbollah fighters and struck 350 targets in Lebanon since November, and it continues to operate from five key positions inside Lebanese territory and nine inside Syria. In the West Bank, more than 100 terrorists have been eliminated and hundreds more arrested since March.

Domestically, Zamir is facing critical manpower shortages. With approximately 10,000 soldiers lost due to casualties and expanded operational needs, he is pressing to enlist more haredi (ultra-Orthodox) recruits. The IDF has already issued 24,000 summonses to eligible haredim and is initiating draft notices at age 16.5. Still, Zamir acknowledges that the broader issue of ultra-Orthodox military service must be resolved at a national level one that has remained unsettled for over seven decades.

In terms of accountability, Zamir is taking a forward-looking approach to the October 7 disaster. While many IDF officials have resigned, he has dismissed few and instead tasked Maj.-Gen. (res.) Sami Turgeman with re-evaluating prior investigations. His stated goal is to build a stronger army for the future not to settle political scores.

Through every challenge, Zamir remains focused on balancing Israel’s military strength with its ethical commitments. From humanitarian strategy in Gaza to hard-line defense on multiple borders, his leadership reflects a deliberate and disciplined approach rooted in both strategy and values.

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