Zamir rules out the possibility of "defeating" Hamas without a political plan for the future of Gaza

The Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, Eyal Zamir, stated that it is impossible to "defeat" Hamas without a political plan for the future of the Gaza Strip after the war, saying that "victory is unlikely without a political plan."

The newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported that "hundreds of tanks and armored personnel carriers belonging to the Israeli army are gathering near Gaza in preparation for Operation Gideon 2, aimed at demonstrating power, pressuring Hamas, and reassuring Israelis."

It emphasized that "in addition to the danger threatening the hostages (Israeli captives) in Gaza City, in recent discussions, Zamir repeatedly stressed the principle of safety over speed to avoid falling into Hamas traps in alleys and tunnels."

It added that "what frustrates Zamir the most, according to attendees, is the hesitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in making a long-term decision that is supposed to begin to take shape by the end of the operation."

In reference to the day after the war, the newspaper said: "Without such a decision, this maneuver is expected to end like its predecessor, with the soldiers' gains fading day by day as Hamas reorganizes."

It considered that "the Israeli army will implement any political decision, no matter how controversial: whether it is an Israeli military rule over two million Palestinians in Gaza, or an administration led by Arabs under American sponsorship, or a gradual transfer of areas to the Palestinian Authority after the Israeli army eliminates Hamas."

The newspaper continued: "Other proposals have already failed, such as arming Gaza clans or encouraging migration."

It revealed that "in recent days, soldiers at the Tsalim base (southern Israel) have been training on new combat methods such as destroying buildings without entering them, avoiding immediate exposure during ambushes, and advancing through the rubble that Hamas fighters use as cover."

The newspaper stated: "The Chief of Staff nearly pleaded with the political leadership: decide what to do with Gaza, sending soldiers repeatedly to the same neighborhoods for circular fighting and then blaming the army and its leaders for failing to defeat Hamas will not achieve victory nor will it bring back the hostages."

It added: "Almost all brigade and battalion leaders fighting in Gaza believe that the Israeli army will have to continue ground operations against Hamas in the coming years to deepen and maintain its gains, and the question is whether Netanyahu will provide the missing strategic decision."

On September 3, the occupying army launched an aggression named "Gideon 2" to completely occupy Gaza City (north), which sparked criticism and protests in Israel, fearing for the lives of the captives and soldiers.

Tel Aviv estimates that there are 48 Israeli captives in Gaza, of whom 20 are alive, while more than 10,800 Palestinians are imprisoned in its jails suffering from torture, starvation, and medical neglect, many of whom have died, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.

Repeatedly, Hamas has confirmed its readiness to release Israeli captives "in one batch" in exchange for ending the genocide, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners, but Netanyahu, wanted by international justice, evades by insisting on the continued occupation of Gaza.

Since October 7, 2023, "Israel," with American support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, resulting in 64,718 martyrs and 163,859 injured Palestinians, most of whom are children and women, and hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, with famine killing 411 Palestinians, including 142 children.