Israel’s Agenda as Phase 1 Concludes: Secure Hostages and Eliminate Hamas

Phase 1 of the Gaza cease-fire is complete; what are the next steps?

According to the initial framework, Phase 2 involves discussions aimed at securing the remaining hostages (mainly male Israeli soldiers), determining Gaza’s future governance, and facilitating a full Israeli withdrawal.

There seems to be no path to achieving that unless Hamas consents to exit Gaza entirely.

Israel still has three key objectives: repatriate the hostages, dismantle Hamas’ military and administrative capabilities, and ensure that Gaza will never serve as a launching point for terror against Israel.

It may now have an opportunity to fulfill that first objective — bringing the hostages home.

Following that, Israel can decide its approach concerning Hamas.

For example, it could opt to extend Phase 1, negotiating the release of more hostages in return for a cessation of hostilities and possibly the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Thus far, Hamas has dismissed this proposition, leading Israel to restrict humanitarian aid.

Alternatively, as outlined in Phase 2, Israel might agree to withdraw from Gaza, thereby ending the conflict, and defer its subsequent decisions.

Regardless, once all hostages are freed, anything can happen.

Israel would regain the freedom to pursue all of its other objectives. Regardless of previous commitments.

Indeed, there would be no ethical justification to cease hunting Hamas, even if that requires resuming full-scale warfare.

Hamas is a terrorist organization that tortures, burns, and beheads infants. It has sworn to instigate further attacks on Israel.

A cease-fire was already in place on October 7, 2023, when Hamas invaded Israel, committing violent acts and taking nearly 1,500 innocent lives.

Jerusalem can “honor” any future cease-fire with Hamas in the same manner that Hamas respected the previous one.

It is essential to eliminate Hamas, or at the very least, significantly weaken it, just as was successfully done with al Qaeda and ISIS.

Though the usual voices in the “international community” may protest, as Golda Meir famously stated, it is preferable to live with a negative reputation than to be dead and pitied.

Hamas’ leaders likely understand this; they are currently engaged in psychological strategies to sway Israeli public opinion toward conceding control over Gaza, at least temporarily.

Israel has every right to undertake whatever measures necessary to ensure that the terrorists continue with hostage releases, whether through targeted strikes and covert operations, re-arresting individuals released during Phase 1, or even reinitiating comprehensive military actions.

An all-out offensive, especially with full support from the U.S. president, would be warranted.

If Hamas’ leaders refuse to relinquish power (despite Israel’s generous offers) and prefer to face either death or capture, Israel can certainly facilitate that outcome.

Hamas currently seems to have regained power, drawing in fresh recruits. Allowing it to remain intact would only set the stage for further atrocities in the future.

If the terrorists wish to maintain the cease-fire, they must arrange for further hostage releases immediately; otherwise, Israel must take decisive action to dismantle Hamas’ grip for good.

This is the only pathway to sustainable peace.