"The hand of the resistance is long and it will reach anyone who tries to disarm it," threatened Ahmed Bahar, in one of his high-profile speeches, sitting as chairman of Gaza's legislative council.
The parliament building in Gaza was blown up // Arab networks
Bahar, a member of Hamas' founding generation, and his other parliamentary colleagues were not there this week when Golani fighters arrived. In the place reserved for him, at the presidential table, the soldiers of the 13th Battalion lined up for a group souvenir photo, before this building also turned into a wave of stones. The battalion, 41 of whose fighters were killed in a surprise attack on Simchat Torah, reached another milestone in the campaign to topple the de-facto Hamas administration.
No immunity anywhere
The takeover of the parliament building could have been considered a step of only symbolic significance, such as going to Ismail Haniyeh's home and blowing it up, or raising the Israeli flag at an abandoned Hamas outpost. But in the war effort today, its importance is greater.
First, because it is one of hundreds of similar actions, whose cumulative weight shapes a new reality, and second, because it does not symbolize the end of the journey, but only the beginning. As in the successful raids on Rantisi and Shifa hospitals, here too the IDF operation demonstrates Israel's determination and makes it clear to Hamas terrorists: There is no immunity anywhere.
Destruction in the Gaza Strip after IDF strikes, photo: AP
In addition to taking over headquarters, operations rooms and security facilities, the IDF is also stepping up its attacks against Hamas police and local government bodies. Their paralysis is essential in order to deprive Hamas of its ability to control the situation, provide services to the public, and enforce its directives.
It is important that government facilities are not only seized by the IDF, but are also completely destroyed after being searched. This is the way to shatter Hamas' hopes that Gaza will return to the days before October 7.
This hope must be shattered not only through military action. It is impossible to leave the border crossings at Kerem Shalom and Erez standing and think that someone is taking seriously the possibility that Israel will no longer open its gates to the population of Gaza.
IDF activity in the Gaza Strip, photo: IDF Spokesperson
The same applies to the DCO function that still exists, and to Israeli involvement in providing humanitarian needs to the residents of Gaza. Israel must abolish any practice that pleases us to the previous reality. What was - will not be.
Increase pressure on Qatar as well
Hamas' immediate goal is to bring about a cessation of hostilities by Israel, while creating a route that will enable it to maximize profit from the hostages in its possession. He pins his hopes on the channel of negotiations for an exchange deal, on internal pressure in Israel on this issue, and on the pressure that the international system will exert on Israel on the humanitarian issue.
In his view, the opening blow he inflicted on Israel, together with his survival against it and the profits he would derive from bargaining over the abductees, would earn him "eternal glory" and unravel Israel's image as "invincible."
As far as Israel is concerned, the difficult opening conditions in which it entered the war leave it no choice but to topple the de-facto Hamas administration and destroy its military capabilities. If it fails to achieve this, it will have implications for the balance of deterrence vis-à-vis its other enemies as well, in a way that could pose an existential threat. Its achievements in the war so far are good, but not sufficient in the face of this challenge.
Kabbalat Shabbat with the families of the abducted and missing (archive), photo: Coco
As expected, with the help of Qatar, whose main interest is to ensure its survival, Hamas elements put to rest the temptation and began using the card in their hands to achieve their goals. Along the way, they will try to erase some of the stain of inhuman barbarism that has stuck with them, and also increase the controversy and internal pressures in Israel.
Government ministers and defense establishment leaders should not be envied when they will have to decide on a deal for the release of babies and their mothers in exchange for releasing terrorists and stopping the fighting for a few days.
Who can stand in front of the pictures of the abductees or the cry of their tormented family members? On the other hand, the heavy price of liberation: endangering our soldiers.
The ceasefire will enable Hamas to assess the situation, regroup, identify weak points on the Israeli side, defend, trap and harm. The fuel that will be brought in will also help him a lot. Hamas will begin the next phase of the fighting from a greatly improved position compared to its current situation.
Haniya. Hamas chief staying at a hotel in Qatar, photo: Reuters
Since the deal at hand does not provide a solution for all the abductees, additional steps will be required until they are all returned. Regarding this, it should be remembered that what led to the current proposal was the pressure exerted on Hamas, and therefore in order to increase the chances and opportunities and reduce prices, it is essential to continue it and at the same time increase the pressure on Qatar as well.
The latter not only does not pay a price for its continued support for Hamas and for hosting the leaders of the terrorist organization in its territory, but it is courted by these ties and exploits the situation to upgrade its political status.
It's time to change our policy vis-à-vis Qatar. Demand that the US use "sticks" rather than just "carrots" against it, reconsider its relations with it, including canceling or reducing economic, diplomatic, and military ties (one of the most important US military bases in the Middle East is less than 20 kilometers from where Hamas leaders hold their meetings), and imposing sanctions on all Qatari entities involved in providing support to Hamas.
Qatar must be demanded to immediately expel Hamas leaders in its territory and see them as targets for targeted attacks by Israel.
The writer serves as head of the Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy
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