Photo: Abdel Kareem Hana/ AP
Israel’s war with the Hamas terrorist group continues, but the country is still forced to respond to the conditions dictated by the enemy. If Israel wants to achieve a final victory, it must change its approach and regain the strategic initiative, The Jerusalem Post writes .
Since the terrorist attack on 7 October 2023, when Hamas carried out massacres and hostage-taking, Israel has been fighting to eliminate the terrorists. Despite the fact that Israeli leaders have repeatedly declared their intention to completely destroy Hamas, the organisation still controls a large part of the Gaza Strip and often imposes the terms of the war.
Who controls the situation?
Recent events show that Hamas continues to manipulate the situation. On 15 February, the terrorists announced the postponement of the hostage exchange, forcing Israel to prepare for the resumption of active hostilities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that if the hostages are not released by Saturday, the ceasefire will end and the IDF will resume intense attacks on Gaza.
This unpredictability reflects the main problem – Israel is forced to react to threats instead of dictating its own terms. This creates a “tail wagging the dog” effect, with major strategic decisions being influenced by external factors.
Challenges on several fronts
The situation is complicated by the intensification of militant activity not only in Gaza, but also in the West Bank and Lebanon. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are conducting operations in Tulkarm, Jenin and Nur Shams, trying to eliminate terrorist cells that receive illegal weapons.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, Hezbollah continues to build up its forces, using Beirut International Airport to smuggle money and weapons. Despite the agreements reached, the militants continue to threaten Israel’s security, which could lead to an escalation of hostilities in the region.
How to regain the initiative?
One of the key problems of the Israeli government is the lack of a clear strategic vision of defeating Hamas. What does the complete defeat of the terrorist group mean? Is Israel ready to take control of Gaza? How to prevent a new revival of Hamas after its military defeat?
While these questions remain unanswered, Israel is forced to balance international pressure, military challenges and its own internal political disputes.
To end the war on its own terms, Israel needs to move from reactive to proactive, clearly define its military and political goals, and stop allowing terrorists to dictate the course of events.
