Operation "Dawn": Senior political officials say:
"We did not enter this event out of choice. The escalation against the Jihad began about two weeks ago. The two area commanders took an increased level of activity. Regarding the arrest in Yosh, we did not estimate that it would be the toothpick that ignited the The fire even though there was already tension.
"The first goal defined by the Prime Minister is to find a way to lower the escalation to a lower level.
We started the political processes that led to the end of the operation even before it.
The expectation was that Hamas would reduce the pressure of the jihad, but it did not happen.
For a few days we restricted movement in Otef because we knew about anti-tank squads that were hiding. It was impossible to continue like this.
The Iron Dome battery during the "Dawn" operation, photo: IDF spokesman
"What ultimately made it possible to launch the operation in the way we did was the understanding that Hamas would remain on the fence and that we would very likely succeed in conducting an event against the Islamic Jihad only. The decision was to act in a targeted manner against anti-tank squads and against the commander of the northern sector Ja'abari on another Friday noon".
Finger on the pulse
"During all these days we kept our finger on the pulse both with the Egyptian and Qatari mediators and with the international community with an emphasis on the Americans. They knew of our desire to avoid action and to ultimately carry it out in as limited a manner as possible. This transparency was helpful in bringing the operation to an end.
"The talks for a cease-fire started already on Saturday. We were able to recognize that the jihad was not able to accomplish what it wanted and that its vulnerabilities were significant. The fact that Ziad Nachala was sitting in Tehran all the time did not help, but nevertheless the pressure we exerted had its effect. The Egyptian mediation was very intense and our relationship He was close with them.
"We did not strive for a humanitarian ceasefire even when it was brought up, but for a full ceasefire. Before this, there were no operations of bringing in diesel fuel or other similar things. The contacts took a few hours longer than we wanted, but apparently the sides had to exhaust their military moves.
Just before the ceasefire: the IDF responded to the shooting to the south by attacking a Jihad launcher / report
"The Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense spoke several times a day, and it is also important to note the significant contribution of the alternate Prime Minister.
We convened the cabinet to make sure that our operating principles are acceptable to all ministers.
The work between the organizations was very good - even when there are different opinions it has been proven that the work can be synchronized.
The IDF, the Shin Bet and the police, the MLA and the Mossad worked well together.
"Our policy has not changed - we do not have direct contact with Hamas, but through intermediaries. The understanding that Hamas is not interested in a round of violence was a very important element in the decision-making. This fact is not necessarily to his credit, because it says that he also did not fulfill his responsibility to prevent the The opening of this round We have an expectation from Hamas to control jihad and prevent escalation.
"The policy of economic incentives for the population in Gaza has proven itself and helped to keep Hamas out of the loop. There is an opportunity here the day after the operation and we want to act so as not to miss it. We want to leverage Hamas's statements on the issue of the captives and the missing and not be satisfied with just being silent in the face of the Islamic Jihad.
"The contacts with Egypt, the USA and Qatar took place all the time, but in the end the Egyptians were and remain the main player with the greatest ability to influence.
Against Egypt we don't need mediators and this has proven itself.
It is not by chance that we did not open all the crossings at once this morning - this is not the right message to Hamas.
It will happen gradually in the coming days.
"The situation in the Strip is very complex - about two million residents there are in a very complex economic situation. We want to reach an agreement that will allow us to return the captives and the missing people home. Hamas actively participated in the mechanism for ending the operation, but as mentioned did not prevent the escalation. The entry of the workers into Israel from Gaza put the pressure on precisely As we wanted and we think that the economic interest has a positive role and therefore we intend to continue this policy.
Israel has no intention of releasing the detainees
Contrary to Islamic Jihad's reports about Israel's agreement to release the detainees, Israel rejects the claim and seems to have no intention of releasing them.
"Israel did not agree to the release of either of the two detainees that Jihad asked to be released. The Egyptians asked to monitor their situation and we agreed to continue talking with them."
Intercepts over Ashkelon, photo: I.F
Regarding the criticism of cabinet ministers that the operation was not approved in advance: "We acted in this matter in accordance with very clear rules. The reason why there was no need for cabinet approval is the understanding that we are not going for an all-out campaign. Even in retrospect, the decisions in this regard were correct.
"President Biden also referred to Jordan in his announcement about the ceasefire. Jordan has a very important role in maintaining the peace, especially in the context of the Temple Mount, and we are very happy that there was indeed no spillover of violence to Jerusalem."
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