Hamas Must Be Fully Defeated to Prevent Gaza from Becoming a Terror State
Hamas is striving for a ceasefire to preserve its power in Gaza, potentially emulating Hezbollah’s approach in Lebanon. This could allow it to rebuild militarily while using legitimate governance structures as a façade, posing increased risks for Israel. Immediate military action by Israel is necessary to dismantle Hamas, ensure security, and prevent any future terrorism.
Currently, Hamas seeks a ceasefire to survive the ongoing conflict, enabling it to rebuild its military while maintaining political dominance in the Gaza Strip. The organization is exploring creating a governance structure resembling Hezbollah’s control in pre-war Lebanon, where an internationally recognized government exists alongside Hamas’s military authority. This strategy would allow Hamas to regroup and launch future attacks against Israel, while portraying success to Palestinians regarding its recent actions against Israel.
Various proposals have emerged suggesting alternative governance for Gaza, such as the Egyptian plan proposing a temporary technocratic government led by the Palestinian Authority. However, these proposals risk establishing conditions similar to Lebanon, where Hezbollah holds significant military influence despite a nominal government. Israel’s military efforts against Hamas remain incomplete, making any such arrangement potentially dangerous.
Egyptian President Fateh El-Sisi emphasized Egypt’s resistance to evictions of Palestinians during a Cairo summit, advocating for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state through a technocratic administration managing aid until the Palestinian Authority returns. Egypt’s roadmap acknowledges the involvement of Arab, Muslim, and Western states but lacks clarity about undermining Hamas’s control or financing Gaza’s reconstruction.
Despite Arab media reports indicating that Hamas is willing to transfer control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority under Egyptian pressure, skepticism remains regarding its intentions. Hamas shows no genuine desire to relinquish control, potentially using transitional governments as a façade while consolidating military strength.
The model Hamas appears inclined to adopt is inspired by Hezbollah’s long-standing status in Lebanon, where the group exercised military dominance over the state. Prior to conflict, Hezbollah controlled Lebanon’s security policies and wielded substantial political influence, functioning with a vast arsenal of weapons funded primarily by Iran. Such a structure allowed Hezbollah to evade accountability while posing as a legitimate government.
Should Hamas achieve a similar arrangement in Gaza, it could enhance its military capabilities while Israel faces diplomatic restrictions to counteract this. Any Israeli action against Hamas would likely elicit international condemnation, treating Hamas as a recognized governing institution despite its lack of real authority. A ceasefire would enable Hamas to rearm and potentially establish a robust military presence under a guise of governmental legitimacy, mirroring Hezbollah’s strategies.
To prevent this outcome, Israel must engage militarily in Gaza, establishing territorial control and dismantling Hamas’ operational structure. This step is crucial to ensure:
1. The complete eradication of Hamas’s military and political framework—without dismantling its command, any governance idea is futile;
2. A sustained Israeli security presence that enables unimpeded counterterrorism operations throughout Gaza—Israel must retain the ability to neutralize remaining Hamas threats without limitations.
Once these criteria are fulfilled, a governance structure with moderate autonomy, potentially supported by Gulf states and the United States, may be considered. Nevertheless, Israel must ensure its security operations remain unimpeded to prevent any resurgence of terrorism.
In summary, Hamas aims for a ceasefire to strengthen its hold over Gaza, potentially replicating Hezbollah’s model in Lebanon, where it could maintain military dominance under the cover of a legitimate governance structure. Various proposals for Gaza’s governance could inadvertently facilitate this control, making it imperative for Israel to decisively counter Hamas’ military influence. Without comprehensive military action against Hamas and a clear security presence, any future governance efforts may falter against the background of continued threats.
Original Source: www.algemeiner.com
