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Israel’s survival demands unwavering resolve. Post-Hamas strategy must address threats in Gaza, West Bank, and the north, while expanding normalization and fostering unity – all hinging on US policy.
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Hamas assumes that a final American proposal will inevitably come at Israel’s expense. The primary pressure to reach an agreement is already being applied to Israeli leadership. Hamas faces no consequences for prolonging the process, and as long as it holds hostages, it can always resume negotiations from where they left off.
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If the US and international community truly want to advance an urgently-needed hostage deal, they must take a new approach. Rather than focusing pressure on Israel, they must place unyielding pressure on Hamas’ state sponsors, especially Qatar, Turkey and Iran.
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Israel’s long focus on Iran and the northern front has come at the expense of intelligence gathering and operational attention to Gaza.
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The high cost of terrorist release complicates the gain of hostage freedom.
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Analysis: Iran’s revenge motive, Hezbollah’s role, Gaza concessions risks, and the deeper roots of conflict challenge diplomatic solutions.
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If Ismail Haniyeh represented a tougher stance in the deal negotiations compared to Sinwar’s more pragmatic line, an obstacle has been removed, the author writes.
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High-profile assassinations are only useful as an opening blow. Israel needs a solution for the continued devastation across the north.
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For Israel, the passage of time cuts both ways. On one hand, it allows for consolidating gains, further degrading Hamas, and potentially securing more favorable terms for hostage release.
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Long before the events of October 7, and even more so following them, there can be no legitimacy for the lack of significant and very stringent border security enforcement.