Israel's Aid About-Face: Shameful Surrender Or Clever Tactics?
A number of major Israeli reporters and commenters believe Israel greatly erred in suddenly slowing down IDF operations over famine fears. At least one isn't so sure.
Israel's sudden decision to reverse its current aid policies and allow a flood of aid via various channels, even effectively halting IDF operations in the Gaza Strip, has led to a great deal of criticism among prominent reporters and commentators.
Kann reporter Itay Blumenthal called the decision a "farce," and while multiple reports today point to heavy pressure from not only Europe but even senior officials in the White House and "Israel Friends" within the Republican party, people like Tzvi Yehezkeli have damned the government for giving Hamas a breather for seemingly nothing in return.
Channel 14 reporter and analyst Tamir Morag, who has himself become increasingly critical of Prime Minister Netanyahu's seeming half-measures and capitulations in the Gaza Strip, isn't so sure:
"President Trump said on Thursday that Hamas "prefers to die" and that "it's time to get rid of them." Today, Trump added, "Israel will have to make a decision—I don't know if I should say this, but I know what I would do." The hint is clear. [...] These are not random remarks, and they align with a statement by Steve Witkoff—which Netanyahu later echoed word-for-word—saying, "We must now consider alternative ways to bring the hostages home."
Morag does acknowledge that there are still problems here:
"The problem is that the current handling of Hamas has already caused strategic damage, cost soldiers’ lives, and signaled to our enemies that we've largely reverted to the mindset of the pre-Shalit-deal era—that kidnapping Israelis is even more worthwhile than developing a nuclear program. Moreover, Hamas, as we’ve already seen, understands the Israeli side’s maneuvers pretty good and may very well buy more time through further fake signals of “flexibility”—the kind Israel has repeatedly fallen for in the past."
Ultimately, this is Morag's stance until proven otherwise: "That’s why I still believe Netanyahu will eventually achieve the goal of eliminating Hamas and bringing back the vast majority of the hostages (unfortunately, probably not all of them). But the burden of proof is on him, and the endless chances given to Hamas are already costing soldiers' lives and causing strategic demage to Israel."