In the face of escalating terrorist violence initiated by Hamas, Israel has unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at decisively neutralising the Palestinian group and securing long-term peace and stability in the Gaza Strip. This strategy is grounded in the belief that Hamas, with its long history of terrorism and anti-Israel rhetoric, poses an imminent threat to Israeli civilians and regional security, as was evidenced in Saturday’s attacks across more than two dozen locations in Israel.
Hamas, in stark contrast to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) or the Fatah which rules the West Bank, has long pursued a radical agenda that seeks the complete elimination of Israel as a sovereign nation. Hamas’s charter, dating back to 1988, openly expresses anti-Semitic sentiments and calls for the destruction of the Jewish state. This uncompromising stance has been a significant point of contention in any peace negotiations involving Hamas and Israel.
Here it’s essential to recognise that the goals of Hamas and the aspirations of the Gazan population are not necessarily aligned. The people of Gaza have endured the hardships of an Israeli blockade, supported by Egypt, that severely restricts the flow of goods and people in and out of the region. Under Hamas rule, Gazans have reported repression, arbitrary arrests, and systemic human rights abuses. Recent polls have indicated growing discontent among Gazans with Hamas’s policies, with many expressing a desire for the group to abandon its call for Israel’s destruction and addressing corruption within Hamas institutions.
While Hamas secured an electoral victory in Gaza in 2006, it’s essential to note that it only received a plurality of votes, not an outright majority. This distinction highlights the complex political landscape within the Gaza Strip and suggests that Hamas does not enjoy unanimous support among the population. And there have been no elections after the first and only one in 2006.
Despite the challenges, some Palestinians in Gaza have consistently protested against Hamas, particularly in recent months. A 2022 poll revealed that a majority of Gazans believe they cannot criticise Hamas’s authority without fearing repercussions. These protests underscore the growing dissent within the Gaza Strip against Hamas’s leadership. Basically, Hamas has not been able to make the political transition that the Muslim Brotherhood managed to make in neighbouring Egypt.
Since its inception, Hamas has maintained a hostile stance, asserting that Israel has no right to exist and viewing all Israeli citizens as legitimate targets due to their perceived association with the Israeli state. This uncompromising ideology has hindered diplomatic efforts and perpetuated violence in the region.
In light of the horrific events this past weekend, Israel has adopted a comprehensive strategy aimed at thoroughly dismantling the terrorist infrastructure within Gaza. The deployment of approximately 300,000 troops demonstrates Israel’s commitment to ensuring the eradication of Hamas and the prevention of future large-scale terror attacks on its citizens. And if that means occupying the Gaza Strip to flush out the terrorists, then Israel is prepared to do that.
Israel recognises that a robust military response is necessary to weaken Hamas’s capabilities significantly. This involves targeting key Hamas facilities, including rocket launch sites, weapon storage depots, and command centres. The goal is to disrupt Hamas’s ability to launch attacks against Israel.
Israeli forces are also conducting targeted counterterrorism operations to apprehend or eliminate Hamas leaders and operatives responsible for planning and executing attacks against Israeli civilians.
Israel is leveraging its intelligence capabilities to identify and target Hamas’s extensive tunnel network, which the group uses for smuggling weapons and launching surprise attacks. Israel is also intensifying its efforts to prevent the smuggling of weapons and materials into Gaza through its naval blockade, further hampering Hamas’s military capabilities.
While Israel’s primary objective is to neutralise Hamas, the possibility of a temporary occupation of Gaza is being considered as a last resort to achieve long-term security and stability. Such an occupation would entail a comprehensive effort to rebuild Gaza’s infrastructure, provide humanitarian aid, and create conditions conducive to peace.
But Israel also realises that Gaza cannot thrive in a political vacuum. If and when Hamas is neutralised, Israel will have to open a political and diplomatic engagement with the Palestinian Authority which rules the West Bank. The Palestinian people in Gaza will need a political authority they can look up to and who can voice their concerns and aspirations. Once the military operation concludes, there could be an opening of a dialogue with the Palestinian Authority. A vacuum will only enable another Hamas-like organisation to crop up.
In conclusion, Israel’s current strategy is driven by the imperative to safeguard its citizens from Hamas’s unrelenting attacks and ensure lasting peace in the region. The deployment of a substantial military force reflects Israel’s determination to dismantle Hamas’s capabilities and create conditions for a secure future. While Israel is prepared to take necessary measures to achieve these goals, its ultimate objective remains a long and durable peace, which can only come about with a realistic path to a two-state solution. That path will be realised only with Fatah as a partner and not Hamas.
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