IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir is the only one of Israel's top security officials opposing an immediate resumption of the Iran war, Channel 12 reports, as relayed by the Times of Israel. According to the report, Netanyahu and his appointees back an immediate strike.
Channel 12 says Zamir is "holding his own" against Mossad chief Roman Gofman, Shin Bet chief David Zini, National Security Council chairman Shmuel Ben Ezra and Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter.
Zamir reportedly regards the Iranian threats as genuine but not urgent enough to justify a strike now. He also reportedly fears Netanyahu could exploit a strike for political purposes, because no new government has yet been formed.
Yesterday's accounts of the military's position conflicted. Channel 13 reported that the IDF told Gadi Eisenkot there was no immediate urgency for Israel to strike. Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu was using the briefing to stress the urgency of resuming fighting. Tonight's report names the officials on each side, and Zamir's reported view matches Channel 13's account.
The report relies on anonymous sources and has not been independently checked. The security cabinet is due to meet on Sunday 15 November.