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Reading the Situation in Gaza

(Jerusalem Post) Brig.-Gen. (res.) Prof. Jacob Nagel - Israel may be getting closer to a ceasefire and hostage deal mainly due to the success of the heavy military activity in Rafah and southern Gaza, in parallel with IDF activities in northern and central Gaza. The continuous military pressure leads to a desperate desire for a ceasefire and a deal at any cost by most of the remaining Hamas forces. There is no doubt that this desperate desire for a deal reaches the ears of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. If there is a chance to reach a deal that Israel can accept, it is only by increasing the military pressure. As long as Sinwar is convinced that he will achieve his full goals without concessions, and unfortunately, many around the world are helping him reach this conclusion, there will be no deal that Israel can agree to. Israel's main demand must be the full release of all the hostages and bodies at the outset. Israel must not relinquish control of the Philadelphi corridor until all the crossing tunnels between Rafah and Egypt are exposed and destroyed. Israel must retain the capability to have full security control in Gaza and full freedom of action, entering and staying deep in the territory to immediately deal with any terror threats and attempts to rebuild Hamas's capabilities that will threaten Israeli communities. Israel must concentrate on completing its mission in Gaza and maybe reach a deal that will bring the hostages back home, but not at any price. The writer served as National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Netanyahu and as acting head of Israel's National Security Council.
2024-07-09 00:00:00
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