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Source: https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/12/15/israel-must-strengthen-its-neighborhood-bully-image/
Israel Must Insist on Demilitarization of Gaza
(Israel Hayom) Meir Ben Shabbat - The elimination on Dec. 13 of Ra'ad Sa'ad, a senior Hamas commander in Gaza, was a necessary step, in keeping with the oath to settle accounts with everyone who took part in the October 7 massacre and its preparations. It was also meant to disrupt Hamas's rearmament and rebuilding. The extensive knowledge Sa'ad acquired in Gaza and abroad, his rich experience in a series of command and staff roles, and the extensive network of connections he developed with many elements in the "resistance axis" would likely have shortened Hamas's recovery process. Israel must continue the policy of targeted killings systematically and continuously, without explaining and without apologizing. Currently, what interests the American administration more than anything is the stabilization of the ceasefire, cementing a reality of non-belligerence that will allow the U.S. president to take credit for this achievement and move on to his other plans. However, under current conditions, it is difficult to say that moving to the second stage is an Israeli interest. The opposite is true. IDF control of the areas from which it is supposed to evacuate not only improves security preparedness for various scenarios but also leaves Israel with a significant lever of pressure on Hamas and the mediating countries to fulfill its demands. In Israel's view, the ceasefire is not the goal. Dismantling the enemy's capabilities and demilitarizing the territory are the main goals in Gaza, and so far, they have not been achieved. Israel cannot settle for superficial solutions. To demilitarize Gaza means that the territory remains clean of any military capability, light or heavy weapons, offensive or defensive, ammunition, production means, tunnels, naval and aerial vessels, and communication, command and intelligence means - neither in the hands of Hamas nor in the hands of any other Palestinian element in the territory. From Israel's perspective, it is preferable to leave the situation as it is rather than "progress" in an outline that will not advance its goals, will increase pressure on it, and will only burden its conduct. The writer, head of the Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy, served as Israel's National Security Council head during 2017-2021.