During the joint press conference on Tuesday, many noticed Benny Gantz's ambush of the prime minister when he approached him live and asked him about the budget. Few noticed that the real Ambush, not to mention Little Red Riding Hood, was actually done by Netanyahu to Gantz and Yoav Galant.
Body camera footage of commandos from the fighting in Khan Yunis // Photo: IDF Spokesperson
For weeks now, the defense establishment has been discussing the "day after" in the Gaza Strip. According to the position of the IDF and the Chief of Staff, Israel must leave Gaza after the collapse of Hamas and the fighting ends, and transfer control of the area to an external party, Arab or international. However, Netanyahu announced that the only entity in the world that can ensure that Gaza remains demilitarized forever is the IDF. Regarding the entry of an external body into Gaza, he said: "We saw where it led."
Yoav Galant and Benny Gantz also share the position of the defense establishment and support the transfer of the cane in Gaza to foreign hands. "After the war, Israel will not control Gaza but will transfer responsibility to another entity, Arab or international, with the IDF reserving the right to enter Gaza to maintain security. That's the army's position and that's what it will be," a senior defense official said last week.
When Netanyahu "flexing his muscles"
Among the top echelons of the defense establishment and most of the ministers in the war cabinet, with the exception of Ron Dermer, would have been happy if Netanyahu had waited with the declaration. However, the hostage deal, the ceasefire, the entry of fuel and humanitarian aid, and the stuttering about the day after contributed to the spread of the feeling that the IDF would soon leave Gaza and that the situation would return to the way it was. All this has put Netanyahu in a problematic position for the right.
The press conference of Netanyahu, Galant and Gantz, photo: David Bachar
After briefings began from the heads of the defense establishment according to which the prime minister was looking for an exit point, contrary to their position of continuing the fighting until the goals were achieved, Netanyahu reached the conclusion that he must "flex his muscles." If so far he has acceded to the requests of the Americans, his position has changed and become much more assertive. Among other things, it was decided to drastically reduce the humanitarian aid demanded by America, and the request of the White House and the US State Department to lower the flames in the southern Gaza Strip was refused.
Beyond the constant pressures exerted on Israel, such as ensuring the entry of fuel and trucks, and maintaining adequate humanitarian conditions for Gazans during the fighting, the most significant pressure is regarding the situation in Gaza the day after. The Biden administration is doing everything in its power to pressure the Israeli leadership to announce a plan to hand Gaza over to Arabs at the end of the fighting. This issue was at the heart of US Secretary of State Blinken's recent visit to Israel, and some would say – even the purpose of the visit. That is why Netanyahu's statement raised eyebrows, not to mention jaw dropping, not only in the various offices in the Kirya in Tel Aviv but apparently also in the relevant rooms in the US capital.
Nahal Brigade activity in the Gaza Strip, photo: IDF Spokesperson
Until now, transferring Gaza to the Palestinian Authority seemed to be the only option on the table, and Netanyahu did not like it. When no alternatives were found, he announced that he would not allow the PA to rule the Gaza Strip as long as it supported terrorists, paid them salaries and glorified them in the streets. At first, it seemed that Washington had "aligned" with Netanyahu's position, and in his last statement, Biden used the phrase "the PA in a different format." As time passed and discussions on the subject deepened, it became clear that there is no such animal, and that the options are Israel or Gaza's return to being a terrorist zone.
Full column tomorrow in "Israel This Week"
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