Israel must make a diplomatic deal to win the war and eliminate Hamas
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant made a – pardon the pun – gallant statement this Wednesday: 60% of Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip were killed or wounded as a result of the Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip.
“We have killed or wounded 60 percent of the Hamas terrorists,” he announced. “We have disbanded all or the vast majority of the 24 battalions. We have brought back half of the hostages and are determined to bring back the rest.”
He added: “The actions of the Israeli forces, which have so far led to the elimination of over 14,000 terrorists and the collapse of Hamas’ military structures, actually prove what I am saying: everything will be done in accordance with the law and operational requirements.”
He pointed out that international legitimacy was a crucial consideration for Israel in continuing its operation in the Gaza Strip.
The problem is that Gallant is living in a fantasy world: the international community, including our Western allies, who have stood by us unwaveringly so far will continue to do so if we continue in the same way in Gaza.
That’s not to say our friends abroad aren’t standing by us right now. They are. The proof is in the air: As Bloomberg reported earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Justice is conducting interviews with former hostages, survivors of the October 7 massacre, and relatives of victims to build a case against Hamas and its backers.
The investigation also aims to uncover the financial networks that support Hamas, including those from Iran and Qatar. A source cited by Bloomberg mentioned that the investigation will clarify whether US financial institutions were involved in the financing.
Nothing is more solid than this support, but Gallant’s statement is too optimistic.
The patience and support of the international community are not unlimited, especially now that the humanitarian impact of the operation in Gaza is becoming increasingly clear.
Even loyal allies may reconsider their position if the number of civilian casualties increases or there is no clear solution to the protracted conflict in sight.
While investigations like the US one could strengthen the case against Hamas, they do not necessarily mean unconditional support for all of Israel’s military actions.
A delicate balance between military necessity and compliance with international law
To maintain its international legitimacy, Israel must continue its operations while carefully balancing legal and humanitarian considerations. Maintaining the delicate balance between military necessity and compliance with international law is crucial.
This may continue for a while, on tiptoe, at a distance, but the clock is ticking and even our most loyal allies will not tolerate the operation much longer.
We should not forget that international calls for a ceasefire are louder than ever.
Negotiations on a hostage deal and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip reportedly resumed in Doha on Wednesday in the presence of intelligence chiefs from Egypt, the United States and Israel.
According to Egyptian and American media reports, Mossad chief David Barnea, US intelligence agency director William Burns and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel are present.
The presence of Burns and Kamel shows that key international allies are working hard to find a diplomatic solution, suggesting that continued military operations could strain these important relationships, something Gallant appears to have overlooked in his statement this week.
The ongoing negotiations emphasize a pragmatic approach to conflict resolution and focus on immediate needs such as the release of hostages. We have so far only freed a handful of hostages by military means; this success is unlikely to continue. A hostage agreement is not only necessary, it is the only way.
While some progress has been made in the military field, these must be complemented by diplomatic efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable results.
The resumption of negotiations in Doha is proof that weakening Hamas is one thing, but reaching a lasting solution in which we maintain our vital diplomatic relations is quite another.
Gallant: You’re optimistic, and that’s admirable. But be realistic: We need this deal.
The author is deputy editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post.
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