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Source: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-904379
Can the U.S. Gaza Plan include the IDF's Operational Freedom?
(Jerusalem Post) Idan Kweller - On Saturday and Sunday, the IDF announced a series of precision strikes against Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Army of Islam operatives, including killing field commanders and Nukhba terrorists who participated in the Oct. 7 massacre. All of those targeted were actively advancing terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops, and were eliminated to remove imminent threats. Even as diplomatic efforts continue, Jerusalem maintains that it cannot relinquish its right - or its obligation - to act against terrorists actively plotting attacks. Senior White House and Board of Peace officials argue that the roadmap is not built on trust but on verification. Every phase is conditional upon independent confirmation that the previous phase has been completed. In other words, Washington is not asking Israel to trust Hamas. It is asking Israel to trust the verification mechanism that it is constructing. That does not mean Washington opposes Israeli military operations. The officials stressed that the roadmap's ultimate objective is to ensure Gaza can never again serve as a launching pad for attacks against Israel. From Israel's standpoint, there is little indication that military planners would suspend targeted operations against active terrorists simply to protect the diplomatic process. As long as threats remain, Israel's military will continue acting against them.