(Ynet News) Ron Ben Yishai - The terrorist armies that Hamas and Islamic Jihad deploy hundreds of meters from Israeli communities in the northern Negev and 70 km. from Tel Aviv constitute a threat that endangers the security of the citizens of Israel, their sense of safety, and their ability to maintain a normal lifestyle and economy. This threat was realized in the massacre on Oct. 7, which was carried out by thousands of motivated, trained and well-equipped terrorists who infiltrated Israel, and by the Gazan mob that followed them. Israel and its citizens cannot and do not want to live any longer under this threat. In order to change the situation, it is necessary to remove Hamas' sovereignty and to destroy to the core its and the other organizations' military capabilities and infrastructure. We must ensure that Hamas and the other organizations cannot restore their military capabilities or establish new infrastructures under a new disguise. A maneuver into northern Gaza to gain military control of the area will be needed to halt missile launching to the home front, as well as to "behead" the leadership and destroy the military capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. This is where the operational governing center of Hamas is located, and thus it will lose its "capital." In the southern region of Gaza, Israel will work to achieve the same goals using other methods. In northern Israel, the IDF will continue to fight against Hizbullah, against Palestinians operating from Lebanese territory, and possibly also against militias and armed groups from Syria and Iraq. This will be done in an effort to keep the conflicts below the threshold of war and confine them to the border areas. The IDF will continue to maintain alertness for a large-scale military action in Lebanon, including ground maneuvers, if Hizbullah at the behest of the Iranians launches a total war. The IDF has the ability to conduct active combat on a large scale on two fronts. Israel's strategic objectives include the demilitarization of Gaza. Israel's security arrangements will include a security perimeter between one and three kilometers wide, which the residents of Gaza will not be allowed to enter without risking their life. The IDF will not stay in Gaza longer than is necessary to achieve the immediate combat goals and enable the establishment of an alternative administration. However, the IDF will retain the right to "hot pursuit" to thwart terrorist attacks and hostile intentions.
2023-10-20 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive