Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting with security officials on Thursday to discuss the next phase of the war. The long overdue meeting was expected to examine alternatives to the Hamas rule over the Gaza Strip, as well as options for the scale and distribution of humanitarian aid.
Hamas has thus far maintained its hold on the Strip and its residents by controlling humanitarian aid which it sells to raise cash and delivers to the population according to its interests.
Now, after nearly a year of military maneuvers, with troop numbers and military intensity having diminished, it's time to reassess the approach to humanitarian aid in Gaza. Until Israel succeeds in eliminating Yahya Sinwar and changing the situation on the ground—an effort that could take time—the IDF needs to adapt its operations.
Just as the political leadership has directed a shift in the scope of the fighting, it should also instruct the military to adjust how aid is brought into and distributed within Gaza, aligning it with the objectives of the war, in addition to meeting the expectations of the world and especially the Biden administration, although those should not be discounted. A coordinated, revised approach with the Americans would be prudent.
Hamas continues to reject any cease-fire deal, even going so far as to brutally murder six hostages in cold blood. The response should be a reduction in humanitarian aid and stricter oversight of its distribution within the Strip.
Another strategy that could help to achieve the objectives of the war, while exerting pressure on Hamas, would be the seizure of territory. The IDF could take control of parts of northern Gaza and declare them closed military zones. Combining this with tighter control on aid would inflict significant pain on Hamas and apply the pressure needed to bring them to a deal, according to some security officials.
Yossi YehushuaThe prime minister should set clear objectives and goals for the military. If Thursday's meeting results in more of the same indecisive policies, it would only reinforce claims that Netanyahu is prolonging the war for political reasons. That’s not how wars are won.