Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday, August 7, that he intended to take control of the Gaza Strip − which is already 80% occupied − with the objectives of disarming Hamas, securing the return of Israeli hostages both alive and deceased, demilitarizing the enclave, maintaining Israeli security control over the territory and establishing an alternative civilian administration to both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. What do these statements mean, and how do they represent a new stage in Israel’s war?
The first observation is that nothing has been said about how this plan could be implemented, and after 22 months of relentless warfare against this small territory, the Israeli army has still not succeeded in bringing back the hostages captured by Hamas, despite deploying considerable military resources. Releases have only been possible during ceasefires, secured through negotiation. By now declaring the aim to bring the hostages back both alive and dead, the security cabinet has deliberately chosen to sacrifice them.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated on April 22 that rescuing the hostages was not “Israel’s most important objective” in its war against Hamas. The far-right ministers in the governing coalition have been explicit: They want to reoccupy the Gaza Strip. They also seek revenge for the dismantling of settlements in this small territory, a move carried out by then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon [1928-2014] almost exactly 20 years ago. This viewpoint remains a minority in the country, but the leverage these ministers hold – threatening to resign if a ceasefire is reached – gives them influence that far exceeds their political representation.
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