Army chief objects to pre-election move on Iran in 'unprecedented conflict' with Netanyahu

An 'unprecedented conflict' has developed between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the country's army chief, Eyal Zamir, over Iran, according to Israel's Channel 12. The conflict has arisen over a political-leadership initiative for some kind of military step centred on Iran just before Tuesday's national election.

According to the Channel 12 report, Zamir is objecting to carrying out the proposed military step. He has even asked Netanyahu for a signed written document to confirm whether the step has legal approval. The report said the dispute had reached a peak in the past 24 hours, though the report was broadcast in compliance with military censorship restrictions.

Unnamed political sources denied the report, Channel 12 noted. The report said the core of the dispute is 'the Iran situation'. Zamir and senior military officials fear the political leadership could create a situation around Iran just before the election whose miscalculation could drag Israel into a major crisis.

Quoting a military source, Channel 12 said the matter relates to a step that could escalate the conflict with Iran. At such a sensitive and important time, the step creates a risk of misjudging the situation, the source said.

Several unnamed sources familiar with the matter claimed there is concern within the military leadership that the political leadership may try to 'use the Iran issue' for its own political advantage.

The report also said the dispute between Netanyahu and Zamir, and the deterioration in their relationship, became clear at a meeting held at Palmachim airbase. The atmosphere among those present was 'extremely bitter'. The channel said Zamir had received a specific instruction from the political leadership in recent days, but what the instruction concerned was not disclosed.

After receiving that instruction, Zamir requested an important meeting before carrying it out. He also asked Netanyahu for a 'signed written document' on the legal approval for the proposed step. Quoting a senior security official, the report said history will not forget the role Zamir has played in recent days.

Channel 13 had earlier reported that, in a recent private meeting, Zamir said he saw no military necessity at this moment for striking Iran before the election. Quoting him, the channel said there is no indication that a pre-election strike on Iran is necessary, but if they reach the decision that a strike is needed, they will take that step.

Netanyahu's critics accuse him of trying to start a new war against Iran in order to influence the October 27 election or to postpone it. Netanyahu has denied the accusation.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump told reporters that the United States will not strike Iran today. Trump made the comment a few hours after Netanyahu posted an AI-generated image on social media showing a nuclear bomb exploding over Tel Aviv. Netanyahu had also hinted that if he is not re-elected, Israel could face a second Holocaust.

White House officials are reported to be concerned that Netanyahu's post could give Iranian officials a wrong impression of the situation. They fear Iran could launch an attack as a result, spreading a larger conflict in the ongoing war around Iran.

Only two days remain before Israel's national election. On Saturday, thousands of people joined a large anti-government protest in the capital, Tel Aviv. The election is being seen as a kind of referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership.