Skip to main content
Regional secretary with the National Education Union
From Gaza to the West Bank: Israel's unyielding war machine
Will 2025 be a year of combat for Israel, as promised by the new IDF chief of staff, wonders RAMZY BAROUD
Residents of the al-Far’a Camp, West Bank, evacuate their homes as the Israeli military continues its operation in the area, Saturday February 8 2025

“A YEAR of combat” — this is how Israel’s new chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, described 2025 at a conference organised by the Israeli Ministry of Defence.

The exact sentence, translated from Hebrew, was: “The year 2025 will continue to be a year of combat.” The word “continue” is crucial, suggesting that Israel will resume its wars, despite ceasefire agreements signed with the Lebanese government in November and Palestinian groups in January. In other words, it seems that Zamir is signalling that Israel will reopen these two fronts, even in the face of ceasefire deals.

Despite Israel’s insatiable appetite for war, it is hard to imagine what the Israeli army could achieve through renewed violence when it has already failed to accomplish its objectives in nearly 14 months in Lebanon and over 15 months in Gaza.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Israeli army vehicles moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel on July 6, 2025
Features / 8 July 2025
8 July 2025

RAMZY BAROUD highlights a new report by special rapporteur Francesca Albanese that unflinchingly names and shames the companies that have enabled Israel’s bloody massacre in Gaza

An Israeli Defense Forces tank is towed near the Israel-Gaza border, southern Israel, June 26, 2025
Features / 1 July 2025
1 July 2025

Israel’s genocide in Palestine and wars against its neighbours would be impossible without constant Western support — so we must amplify the brave voices demanding a halt, argues DR RAMZY BAROUD

Masked fans form a ‘Free Palestine’ sign during a Champions League match at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, October 1, 2024
Football / 11 June 2025
11 June 2025

Fifa must be held to account over its continued support for Israel, writes RAMZY BAROUD

Israeli troops move with APC, armored personnel carrier, near the border with Gaza, in southern Israel, May 8, 2025
Features / 15 May 2025
15 May 2025

RAMZY BAROUD on how Israel’s narrative collides with military failure

Similar stories
US protesters march for Palestine in Washington, 2023
Features / 17 March 2025
17 March 2025
Despite appointing staunchly pro-Israel officials and approving billions in arms sales, the Trump administration faces a public increasingly viewing Palestine through a human rights lens, writes RAMZY BAROUD
A man stands amid the rubble of homes, destroyed by the Isra
Features / 20 February 2025
20 February 2025
One can only imagine what would happen if 2.2 million Palestinian refugees were pushed into Jordan, Egypt and other Arab countries, per Trump’s proposal, writes RAMZY BAROUD
MOVING SCENES: Displaced Palestinians return to their homes
Features / 28 January 2025
28 January 2025
As Gazans return to the ruins of their homes, their chants and songs and moving spirit of defiance point the way to a new Palestinian future, by and of the people, writes RAMZY BAROUD
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a ne
Features / 21 January 2025
21 January 2025
Unlike previous military campaigns in Gaza, there is no significant strand of Israeli society claiming victory, and a political crisis long-brewing has now reached crisis point, argues RAMZY BAROUD