Former NATO officers who toured Israel last week commended the Israel Defense Forces' operations and believe Israel is nearing its war objectives. After visiting the Rafah area and the Philadelphi Corridor, the trio emphatically recommends that Israel maintain its presence in the region. The officers' visit was organized by the ELNET organization, aimed at strengthening Israel-Europe relations, as part of a larger delegation comprising about 15 former NATO commanders and officers. The group engaged with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, received detailed briefings from top IDF and defense officials, met with families of hostages, and surveyed affected communities. A scheduled visit to the northern city of Kiryat Shmona was called off due to Hezboallah's intense attacks.
Retired Brigadier General Marius Dumitru Crăciun, former head of Romanian special forces, noted that in Romania and across Europe, there's a lack of comprehensive understanding about the war's realities. Addressing criticism, also voiced within Israel, that the war's goals remain unmet, Crăciun argues, "Critics fail to grasp the nature of this combat environment. This isn't 20th-century warfare – it's 21st century, fundamentally different. The IDF is employing unprecedented tactics. Previously, it was about boots on the ground – now it's also about boots underground. You can't conclude this until you've cleared everything above and below ground. Hamas had a decade to prepare for this."
Getting the job done
Q: What do you think about the controversy over the Philadelphi Corridor?
"It must remain under military control. Relinquishing it is not an option." Crăciun commends the IDF's leadership quality: "The generals I've encountered are exemplary commanders, arguably the IDF's greatest asset."
Q: From a military standpoint, how do you assess the IDF's performance over these 11 months? Are the objectives being met?
"Yes. While you haven't achieved all goals as total clearance is pending – you're on the right trajectory and heading in the correct direction. You need to get the job done."
Q: Meanwhile, our hostages are being murdered.
"Indeed, it's a brutal tactic. Meeting with the parents was heartbreaking. As a parent and grandparent, I empathize deeply with their anguish. However, at the political level, the broader national interest must be considered. Such blackmail cannot be yielded to. Using innocent kidnapped children as leverage against Israel is utterly reprehensible. Sadly, this isn't unprecedented in history, nor likely the last instance. The only viable approach, in my view, is resilience – as a society, as parents, even as hostages. It's crucial to address this and implement measures to prevent a recurrence of the events from 11 months ago."
Combating terrorism
Retired Colonel Richard Kemp, who commanded British forces in Afghanistan and advised the British Prime Minister on counter-terrorism, stands as one of Israel's staunchest advocates in Europe. Kemp has been a frequent presence in Israel since the war's outbreak. While acknowledging the complexities surrounding the Philadlphi Corridor, he maintains a consistent stance.
"From a professional perspective, the Philadlphi Corridor should not be relinquished," Kemp said. "The IDF must maintain control over this border, which essentially serves as Hamas' lifeline. I wouldn't surrender the strategic advantage, particularly in an area where soldiers have already made the ultimate sacrifice. Withdrawing and potentially needing to reclaim the area would incur further loss of life. It's about striking a delicate balance. Despite the hostage crisis's gravity, their lives cannot be valued above those of IDF soldiers. It's an intricate equation."
Q: Should it not be vacated even for six weeks?
"Correct. Six weeks provide ample time for significant developments – an influx of equipment, weapons, and fighters. There's also the risk of hostages being smuggled out, potentially to Iran."
Q: How can we secure the return of our people? It's been nearly a year.
"The strategy involves continuing to dismantle Hamas, clearing tunnels, and persisting in efforts to recover the hostages. The international community, particularly the US, should redirect their pressure from Israel making security-compromising concessions to exerting influence on Hamas and Qatari leadership. They possess leverage over Hamas that remains unutilized."
On the brink of Hamas' defeat
Q: How would you rate the IDF's performance from a professional perspective?
"It's been exceptional. They've neutralized numerous terrorists and dismantled extensive infrastructure at a remarkably low cost. Hamas' defeat appears imminent."
Lt. Col. (ret.) Jeff Tiegs, a former Delta Force commander, also highly commends the IDF's wartime performance: "The IDF's achievements are remarkable. They've implemented a highly sophisticated combined arms approach, integrating heavy armor with infantry, special operations, and engineering units. This level of complexity reflects decades of development in the US military, insights we've endeavored to share with Israel over the years. The IDF's learning curve has been impressively steep."
Q: What are your thoughts on the Philadelphi Corridor?
"Ceding control of the border zone would be tactically and strategically unsound. In the immediate term, Israel must maintain control. It will be years before alternative arrangements can be seriously contemplated."
