The political echelon had serious reasons to keep in Qatar the Mossad staff that conducted the indirect negotiations with Hamas. Still, in retrospect, it may be good that the talks collapsed. In the emerging political circumstances, the time to complete the first goal set by the cabinet, namely the destruction of Hamas, is beginning to run out. There are early signs that indicate this.
Last Tuesday, the last phone call between Biden and Netanyahu took place. Biden did not ask us to stop, but he did talk about reducing harm to the civilian population, which means weighing on the IDF's freedom of action.
This position caused the prime minister to react forcefully, as he also did publicly. Since that conversation, despite the collapse of the ceasefire on Friday, the two have not spoken. As is well known, in meetings that Secretary of State Blinken held with the Israeli leadership on Thursday, gaps emerged.
Footage from the scene of an attack in the Sajaiya neighborhood of Gaza City // Arab networks
International pressure mounts
Don't get me wrong: Americans still support us in a big way. But the pressure on them increases, and they in turn pressure us. Therefore, the end of the very broad political credit they gave us is beginning to appear on the horizon. Unlike a month ago, now we don't have all the time in the world.
The conclusion from this situation is not that we must stop the fighting. Quite the opposite. The conclusion is that this time we must go all the way and not stop the fire until the goal of destroying Hamas is achieved. Because if from this lull it was already difficult to return to fighting, then from another ceasefire it might be impossible. In other words, another ceasefire could lead us to a situation in which the main goal of the war will not be achieved.
This is a risk that under no circumstances should we take. Therefore, once the fighting has resumed, this time you don't stop until you're done. Israel has only a few weeks to shred Hamas off the face of the earth. They must be exploited to the fullest.
IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip, photo: IDF Spokesperson
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