As Gaza’s death toll crosses 61,000, Israel’s PM hints at wider war plans, but ex-security chiefs and global voices warn against deepening crisis.
Jerusalem, August 6, 2025 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday hinted at a broader military campaign in Gaza, even as a growing number of former Israeli military and intelligence leaders — including ex-PM Ehud Barak — called for an end to the devastating 22-month war. The remarks came amid rising international criticism and harrowing new reports of civilians killed while seeking food.
The death toll in Gaza has now crossed 61,000, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry, with dozens more killed this week alone, many of them while desperately trying to access humanitarian aid.
At a security cabinet meeting Tuesday, Netanyahu emphasized his goals: defeating Hamas, freeing all hostages, and ensuring Gaza can never again pose a threat to Israel. While the meeting concluded without a formal announcement, government insiders suggest Netanyahu is pressuring the military to expand its control over the remaining Gaza territories — a move reportedly opposed by senior military leadership.
Security Veterans Break Ranks
In a powerful video posted online, former chiefs of Israel’s security establishment — including those from Shin Bet, Mossad, and the military — condemned the prolonged war effort. Yoram Cohen, ex-head of Shin Bet, called Netanyahu’s objectives in Gaza “a fantasy.”
“If anyone imagines that we can reach every terrorist and every weapon and also bring home our hostages — it’s impossible,” Cohen said. They accused far-right elements in Netanyahu’s coalition of “holding Israel hostage” to extreme political goals.
The internal dissent highlights growing fractures within Israel’s security and political establishment over the war’s scope, direction, and consequences.
Disagreement With Army Chief
Israeli media reported a significant rift between Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. The Prime Minister is said to be pushing for full territorial control of Gaza, a strategy Zamir reportedly opposes due to risks to hostages, humanitarian fallout, and potential international isolation. Rumors are circulating that Zamir could resign or be replaced if Netanyahu moves forward.
No official comments were issued by the Israeli military or Prime Minister’s Office on the reports.
Civilians Killed While Seeking Aid
In Gaza, desperation has reached catastrophic levels. Health officials reported at least 45 Palestinians killed on Tuesday alone — many in areas where humanitarian aid was being distributed.
- 26 people were killed in the Morag Corridor, where chaotic scenes unfolded as crowds rushed U.N. aid trucks. Eyewitnesses said Israeli forces opened fire.
- 6 people died in Teina, near a road leading to a site managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
- Elsewhere, hospitals reported multiple deaths near other food distribution points.
The Israeli military offered no immediate comment but has previously stated it fires only warning shots at people approaching its forces. Yet, according to U.N. and local accounts, hundreds have been killed while seeking food since May.
Sami Arafat, a father of seven, described the Morag Corridor as a zone of chaos. “There are no buildings to shelter us. It’s just rubble. We fight for food. And we bury the dead.”
Aid Delivery Crisis and Blockade
The Israeli defense body COGAT, which coordinates aid for Gaza, announced a new plan to allow limited entry of goods via private sector merchants. But aid agencies and the U.N. say such efforts fall far short of meeting humanitarian needs.
Israel’s blockade and military operations have rendered most aid delivery routes inaccessible. As a result, Gaza teeters on the edge of famine, according to multiple international organizations.
Even air drops — conducted by several countries — have proven inadequate and dangerous. They deliver only a fraction of the needed aid and often fall into contested zones.
Families of Hostages, Too, Fear the Worst
Hostage families in Israel have grown increasingly anxious about the fate of their loved ones in Gaza. Many have warned that worsening hunger and bombardments may be putting the remaining 50 hostages at grave risk. While they blame Hamas for holding their kin, they have also grown frustrated with the Israeli government’s inability to negotiate a breakthrough.
Trump Weighs In, Again
When asked whether he supports the idea of Israel reoccupying Gaza, US President Donald Trump said he was not aware of such a plan and stated, “It’s going to be pretty much up to Israel.” Trump added that Israel and the U.S. were scheduled to hold a meeting with Russia soon, without revealing further details.
In remarks earlier this week, Trump again claimed credit for halting past conflicts, including tensions between India and Pakistan, saying he “stopped five wars in five months.”
Voices from the Rubble
At Nasser Hospital, survivors gathered bodies of loved ones killed while seeking food. “I had to collect the remains of my son like the meat of dogs,” said Ekram Nasr, whose son was gunned down near Morag. Another mourner, Maryam Abu Hatab, cried, “We are unarmed people who cannot endure this.”
The haunting images of residents carrying flour in one hand and bodies in the other have come to symbolize Gaza’s humanitarian nightmare.
Global Pressure Mounts
International condemnation has been growing. Aid agencies warn of systemic starvation. U.N. officials have criticized both Israel’s tactics and Hamas’ refusal to release hostages or allow neutral mediation.
As the war enters its 22nd month, a chorus of former Israeli leaders, global humanitarians, and war-weary civilians are calling for a ceasefire and political solution. Yet with Netanyahu hinting at further escalation — and divisions within Israel’s own establishment — the end of the Gaza war remains uncertain, while the human cost continues to rise.
