"Whoever thinks we will stop is not connected to reality," the prime minister clarified in the face of skeptical voices about the course of the war.
Kingfisher forces in a tunnel leaving the home of Yahya Sinwar's office chief // Photo: IDF Spokesperson
It must be said honestly that since Shabbat on October 7, there have been many concerns among the people living in Zion. Initially, many members of the public feared that Israel's response to the Hamas attack would be inappropriate. Then, in the first three weeks of the air strike, people claimed there would be no ground incursion. After the IDF broke through forcefully and the northern Gaza Strip was occupied, there were those who warned that the south would remain immune. When we entered the south and the lull in the release of the hostages began, the visitors expected that the war would no longer be renewed.
All these prophecies of rage have been refuted. The IDF is acting impressively and with great heroism in the Gaza Strip, under the guidance of the political echelon. Thus, on the basis of this short history, we can place at least some faith in Netanyahu's statement that "we will not stop the fighting until we achieve all the goals we have set."
IDF Activity in the Gaza Strip | IDF Spokesperson, photo: .
But there is also a second side to the equation. Alongside the IDF's enormous achievements and the belief that the promises will be fulfilled, it must be admitted that there are also a few starting positions that have eroded. In the early days, we banned all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, especially not fuel, and certainly not from Israel. Today, all this is happening in a big way, with the clear knowledge that Hamas has put its supply on it, continues to demonstrate ownership of Gaza in this way, and of course improves its ability to survive.
In addition, Defense Secretary Gallant effectively promised Secretary of Defense Austin that within a few weeks, residents of northern Gaza would be able to return to their homes. This is despite the fact that Hamas is still far from annihilation, its forces are operating in the north and the abductees have not been returned. In other words, Israel is actually beginning to return Gaza to normal, even though the goals of the war have not been achieved. This is not a tactical concession, but a strategic one.
The next thing on the agenda is another deal to return hostages. Here, Israel's willingness to give up is already worrisome. The price is going to be the release of terrorists with the blood of dozens of Jews on their hands. It is clear that another lull in the deal will allow Hamas to once again upgrade its capabilities and harm our soldiers when the fire resumes.
The previous truce was well exploited by Hamas and is one of the reasons for the greater casualties inflicted on our soldiers after the resumption of fighting. It must be taken into account that a further cessation of hostilities will exact an even higher price from the forces. The dilemma is cruel, but the lives of soldiers are no less precious than those of the abductees, as difficult as it is to say these words.
"Undermining the IDF's legitimacy in the war in Gaza." Soldiers near the Gaza Strip border, photo: AFP
Beyond that, we've learned the hardest way that structured transactions in the short term have a terrible price in the long run. So far, we have released close to 200 terrorists, some of whom will surely return to terrorism. Now the numbers and "qualities" of those released will be higher. Most importantly, in contrast to the necessary process of de-Hamasization, a hostage deal burns the Palestinians' message that terrorism pays off, that Israel does not stand by its principles and that everything is only a question of price. This is a very bad message.
Alongside the deep sorrow for the abductees currently held in Gaza, it should be remembered that releasing terrorists means that there will be more abductees in the future. Isn't it time to show toughness, break this cycle of bloodshed, and return to the principle that we do not surrender to terror but only defeat it?
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