It is being reported from Jerusalem that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is proposing to fully reoccupy the Gaza Strip when he meets his Security Cabinet today (Thursday). After many months of conflict following the Hamas terrorist raid on Israel on 7th October 2023 and its concomitant death and destruction, it seems that the total elimination of Hamas – bloodied, degraded, but not quite defeated – demands such a measure.
Politically it will be a dangerous move and will bring down the condemnation of most of the world on Netanyahu and his government, including from inside Israel itself. Polls in Israel indicate that three in four Israelis favour a full ceasefire instead. The families of the 50 or so remaining hostages in Gaza also fear the move could endanger the lives of those still alive.
But militarily it is probably the right thing to do at this stage in the conflict. Hamas is punch drunk and on the ropes, its leadership either eliminated or cowering underground, and its international reputation in tatters.
First and foremost, reoccupation of the Gaza Strip by the IDF lets it close with what’s left of its enemy, to get into Hamas’ trench and clear them out. It’s one thing to skulk in the shadows and pop up occasionally to have a pop at Israeli soldiers, it’s another thing altogether when they’re literally right on top of you. Hamas’ freedom to operate becomes even more curtailed if there is nowhere of them to hide.
Second, and equally if not more important, having Israeli troops in control of the streets will protect the civilian population of Gaza from their Hamas oppressors. Hamas has ruled since 2007 by fear and intimidation which will be much more difficult to implement with the IDF watching for their every move. The civilian population should be able to move towards some semblance or normality at long last.
Hand in hand with this is the protection and proper distribution of humanitarian aid. The UN now admits that nearly 90% of aid trucks have been looted in Gaza since May this year, representing a major breakdown in humanitarian supplies delivery. With the IDF on the ground much, if not most, of this aid can be protected against Hamas, other armed gangs, and criminal enterprises which steal it and sell it on again in the black market at a huge mark-up. Guaranteeing delivery to those who most need it would be a great step forward.
Lastly, with Israeli troops in control the very daunting task of rebuilding Gaza from the rubble can begin with a modicum of safety and security from those who would have it otherwise. The diversion of building supplies to build Hamas tunnels and underground bunkers would be stopped, and the effort would go where it is most needed – to provide decent homes, clinics, roads, schools and hospitals for the population.
Of course there are down sides to the proposal too. If Israel does go ahead, it will have to govern the over two million Palestinians who live in the Strip, running everything from food, water, power, infrastructure and so on, no small undertaking. And especially when the remnants of Hamas will seek to disrupt civil government at every opportunity.
Plus it’s possible that many IDF personnel and civil government workers may be targeted, attacked, and killed. It is likely to be a dangerous undertaking. Then there is as previously mentioned the plight of the remaining hostages; those still alive may be further endangered.
And yet, despite all the warnings and misgivings, it may now be the only serious option that will bring peace. The perpetual state of war, with IDF inroads to seek out and destroy their enemies, has had only limited success, and at great cost to the civilian population. It’s time to try a different approach.
If Israel proceeds along these lines, what could the longer-term out come be? It’s still hard to see a tidy resolution, but the mythical “two state solution”, so often recommended by outside observers and commentators, is dead in the water. Neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians want it, and without their buy-in there is no future for it.
In my view the only solution in the long-term to stop these wars is the “one state solution”. Israel-Palestine, or whatever you want to call it, it doesn’t really matter, is established as a unitary state with Israelis and Palestinians sharing a common citizenship and equal rights. But given the hatred and suspicion currently on display such an outcome seems a long way away.
And it cannot possibly be agreed while Hamas clings on, however weakened it may be. It has to be completely eradicated and dismantled if there is to be any hope of a lasting peace.
Lt Col Stuart Crawford is a political and defence commentator and former army officer. Sign up for his podcasts and newsletters at www.DefenceReview.uk