In contrast to the media bon-tone and the pressure exerted by the IDF on the political echelon, the ambiguity regarding the fate of Gaza the day after is now good for Israel. It is especially good for fighters and the public; That is, to the front and the rear. It is good because it helps, right now, to maintain the togetherness that is so vital, here and there.
While the goals – the elimination of Hamas and its military and civilian infrastructures, along with the release of the hostages – are agreed upon by all, the scenarios of the day after arouse debate and controversy, weaken the fighters and may harm the achievement of the war goals themselves.
Documentation of IDF forces' activities in the Gaza Strip // IDF Spokesperson
Some fighters believe that handing over the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority, despite its shortcomings, is the only solution available. On the other hand, there are many fighters who are nightmarish by the very idea that an entity as the PA, whose hostility to Israel is built-in; who refuses to condemn the massacre; whose residents openly identify with Hamas, and that some members of its security forces are complicit in attacks against Israel, will enter Gaza. The soldiers are already making it clear today that it is not for the sake of returning the PA to Gaza, they went out to fight.
The Gush Katif issue is also divisive. There are indeed quite a few who dream of rebuilding the bloc, at least partially, and correcting the folly of the expulsion – talk about this is quite common on social media and in the graffiti of the soldiers in Gaza. On the other hand, many of the soldiers believe that this is a pipe dream, impractical, that only spoils and threatens what Israel has achieved so far. These soldiers point out that the reestablishment of Gush Katif is not part of the goals of the war, and that this is not why they embarked on it.
Among these two extreme scenarios is mentioned a variety of ideas for the day after, in which the IDF, Egypt, Arab multinational forces, Western multinational forces, or local Gaza elements are integrated to take over Gaza; Ideas that also have supporters and opponents.
With the support of a fighter jet: The 162nd Division operates in the heart of Darj Tufah | This is what it looks like // IDF Spokesperson
A decision now one way or the other will discourage the fighters who oppose the chosen direction. Even if things are not said out loud, they already permeate and crack the motivation and determination and the unity of purpose, which is still far from being achieved.
The time for the discussion the day after will come, but at the moment it may cause more harm than good, and also threaten the continued existence of the emergency government and the partnership between the Likud and Blue and White. This partnership expands Israel's public and international circles of legitimacy for war. A decision now as to the day after would put a powerful charge beneath the already short lifespan of this emergency government, whose continued existence is vital at this time.
Only after the two main goals of the war have been achieved will the time come for public discussion the day after, and it will be right to incorporate the element of gradualism as well. After all, Israel will not leave Gaza so quickly, and even according to those who place their hopes on the PA, it is a corrupt body hostile to Israel, which must carry out far-reaching reforms, which also require time.
Fighters of the Paratroopers Brigade's combat team join the other brigades fighting in the Khan Yunis area in the southern Gaza Strip, Photo: IDF Spokesperson
The government and military must now concentrate on one thing: to take full advantage of the almost unlimited public credit they have and not settle for anything less than a clear victory. less than the elimination of Hamas, its leadership, and its military and governmental capabilities; less than the return of all the abductees; Less than destroying all terror infrastructures and removing the rocket threat to Israel. After all this is achieved, it will also be the turn of the day after. At the moment, this clarification only undermines the achievement of the war's objectives.
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