February 6, 2025
Despite the declared ceasefire in various arenas, the days ahead are far from promising quiet. Amid the joy over the hostages’ return and alongside diplomatic activity with the Trump administration, the refreshing and reorganization of combat forces, it’s appropriate to maintain the alertness and operational sharpness we’ve adopted over the past 15 months. We can assume we’ll need them.

There is only 1 viable path for Gaza

We must assume Hamas in Gaza isn’t resting on its laurels and has already begun rehabilitating its military capabilities

When a force’s role is simple and clear, even within a complex overall plan – this embodies the principle of “simplicity,” established as one of the IDF’s core combat principles. This holds true at all levels, becoming increasingly vital as complexity grows. In the intricate reality that has emerged in Gaza, where issues of the ceasefire agreement, resumption of fighting, return of hostages, and “the day after” are intertwined, clarity becomes essential for achieving both military and political objectives while maintaining domestic and international legitimacy. Israel’s strategic security objective in Gaza can be defined in a single word: demilitarization. No philosophical debates or confusion needed.

Hamas begins rehabilitation

The ceasefire agreement has breathed new fighting spirit into Hamas’ leadership and members. “This is the result of our people’s steadfast stance over more than 15 months,” declared Khalil al-Hayya – head of Hamas’ political bureau who led the organization’s negotiating team. The source promised the struggle would continue until complete victory.

We must assume Hamas in Gaza isn’t resting on its laurels and has already begun rehabilitating its military capabilities. They will exploit the ceasefire to revitalize their personnel, smuggle and manufacture weapons, reassert control over the population, and maximize political gains from the release of operatives in Gaza, the West Bank, and regionally.

In any reality, Israel cannot allow the existence of combat forces, means, and military capabilities that threaten its citizens’ security. Complete demilitarization of Gaza means denying Hamas and other organizations their military operational capabilities. This doesn’t negate efforts to topple Hamas’ rule, but clarifies that ideas like “a Palestinian national unity government” or “international management committee” presented as alternatives to this regime won’t be acceptable to Israel until demilitarization is achieved. The defense establishment’s role will be to destroy existing capabilities and prevent their long-term renewal. The pursuit of demilitarization will be the compass guiding all efforts in this arena, at least for the foreseeable future.

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See Also:

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Nearly 20,000 attacks: Israel saw ‘unprecedented’ terror in 2024 – CAM

Israel warns Lebanon residents not to move south amid Hezbollah provocations

Irish president attacks Israel during ceremony, Jews who protested were forcibly removed

Palestinians, Jordan ‘strongly reject’ Trump’s idea to send Gazans out of Strip

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BTDT
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BTDT
January 28, 2025 10:29 am