Israel has resumed the Gaza strikes targeting mid-level Hamas commanders. Ceasefire over.
This war could be stopped tomorrow if Hamas releases the hostages.
They have refused to do so.
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Hamas have also refused to step down from control over Gaza. As such, the ceasefire simply could not proceed to phase 2. I have argued before that this was the likeliest of contingencies. Israel supported the extension of phase 1 with the release of hostages, but Hamas refused that as well.
So what other sensible option are there for Israel?
Every single aspect of this so-called ceasefire has been an insult and a joke.
Permitting Hamas to hold onto the hostages indefinitely (i.e. until “Israel fully withdraws from Gaza and agrees to permanently end the war”) was never any form of guarantee for the safety of the hostages. It was a humiliating arrangement which ceded de facto authority to Hamas with no guarantee for their return in any timely manner. Moreover, Hamas were never going to release their only leverage - the hostages.
And what has happened during the 2-month ceasefire? It seems hundreds of new targets were identified by Israeli military and 20,000 terrorists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad took up positions in Gaza preparing to continue attacks. This is a holy war against Israel. The updated 2017 Charter of Hamas makes clear their intent to never end their war against Israel. The original Hamas Charter of 1988 set out their absolute goal of destroying Israel.
Meanwhile, it is Israel that is expected to completely disarm and withdraw. What a joke! Israel is expected to permit Hamas resume their strategic positions, release hundreds of Jew-murderers while Hamas begin their reconstruction, as if nothing ever happened. The same Hamas which has vowed their destruction. The 24 living Israeli hostages will probably still be held - even after the reconstruction of Gaza is complete.
Israel cannot stop while Hamas is left in power. Hamas will never give up their weapons and leave. There’s no choice here.
Israel must fight on.
Hamas is not in power! Power in the Palestinian territories rests with the governing body called the Palestinian Authority. Hamas is a terrorist group, feared by Gazan citizens as much as by Jews.
ReplyDeleteThe Palestinian Authority rules the West Bank. Hamas rules Gaza.
DeleteOf course Hamas is feared by Gazans. That's how it rules. The same could be said of most Islamic governments.
Hi Hels
DeleteAs infidel says, Hamas has total de facto command of Gaza.
I can't believe why the remaining 24 hostages are yet released.
ReplyDeleteIt's an appalling situation.
ReplyDeleteGaza and the Westbank is Palestinian territory. Israel has turned into a terroristic behaviour. Hamas plays the same game . The hostages are of no concern for Netanyahu. He needs to save his place, when all this ends he will finish his days in jail. He deserves it.
ReplyDeleteLaurence
Terrible state of affairs. Someone or some people will eventually get rid of Hamas but it's going to take a very long time it seems. So sad for the 'nice' people.
ReplyDelete