Hostages or the Death of Hamas? IDF Says You Can't Have Both
In a sobering internal assessment, the IDF warns Israel's political leadership that the goals of rescuing hostages and toppling Hamas are now operationally at odds, urging that the hostages must come first.
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In recent high-level meetings with the political leadership, the IDF has conveyed a stark assessment: Israel can no longer simultaneously pursue both of its primary war objectives in Gaza—recovering hostages and dismantling Hamas—without one undermining the other.
According to a report by Doron Kadosh on (Galatz) Army Radio’s morning broadcast, senior military officials told the government that at this stage, the goals clash operationally. The army’s recommendation: prioritize the return of the hostages now, then resume the campaign to bring down Hamas. “We believe Hamas must still be toppled,” said an IDF source, “but the order of operations matters, hostages come first.”
Contrary to recent statements attributed to the IDF chief suggesting Hamas is already “a dead organization,” the army clarified that the terror group has not yet been decisively defeated, and the war’s strategic objective remains intact.
The Chief of Staff reportedly presented three potential paths forward:
1. A hostage deal, described as the preferred option;
2. A full reoccupation of Gaza;
3. Continued military pressure without entering densely populated areas suspected of housing hostages.
Additionally, the IDF informed the cabinet that of the 14 senior Hamas leaders identified as masterminds of the October 7 attack, 10 have been eliminated. Only four remain in Gaza and are considered candidates for potential expulsion under ongoing diplomatic proposals.