Israeli generals are keen to establish a ceasefire in Gaza even if it allows Hamas to remain in power, at least for the time being, the New York Times Tuesday. The move illustrates the rift between the military and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who fiercely opposes a truce that would allow Hamas to survive the war.
These former and current military officials believe that a truce would be the best way to achieve the release of the 120 hostages, alive and dead, still being held in Gaza. They also believe that IDF soldiers need time to recover in case a ground war breaks out against Hezbollah on the northern front. According to them, a truce with Hamas could also facilitate the conclusion of an agreement with Hezbollah, which has repeatedly stated that it will continue to strike northern Israel until the fighting in Gaza ceases.
“The army is very much in favor of a hostage deal and a ceasefire,” Eyal Hulata, who served as Israel’s national security adviser until early last year, told the American newspaper. “The IDF has less ammunition, less spare parts, less energy than before, and therefore believes that a pause in Gaza will give us time to prepare in case a bigger war breaks out with Hezbollah.”
The army fears a “forever war” in which its energy and ammunition would gradually erode even as the hostages remain in captivity and Hamas leaders remain at large. Faced with this scenario, keeping Hamas in power for now in exchange for the return of the hostages seems like the least-worst option for Israel, Hulata said.
Benjamin Netanyahu reacted to the article in New York Times by assuring that an end to the war without Israel having achieved all its objectives “will not happen”. “We will only end the war after having achieved all our objectives, including the elimination of Hamas and the release of all our hostages”. “We do not succumb to defeatist spirits, nor to New York Times nor anywhere else. We are imbued with the spirit of victory,” he hammered home.
