Some see the destruction of Hamas infrastructure and the release of hostages as two mutually exclusive missions, asking which one should be prioritized. In my opinion, it's not a contradiction but rather two different perspectives.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
The over-arching goal of the war is the destruction of Hamas and the creation of a completely different security situation in Gaza. The new security situation is crucial for the resettlement in the towns near Gaza and is vital for the overall sense of security in the entire region bordering Gaza. Indeed, it is essential for Israelis' overall sense of security.
Eliminating Hamas is a condition for restoring a certain level of deterrence (a concept difficult to understand and even more challenging to measure). Israeli deterrence collapsed on October 7, and only a clear victory – a knockout and not just in points – will reestablish deterrence. This victory must also be visible to everyone so that anyone who dares to challenge Israel by crossing red lines will immediately face the consequences of messing with Israel. The clear and complete victory must deter anyone willing to go there. The results of this war will highlight what Israel considers red lines: targeted harm to civilians.
Therefore, the destruction of Hamas' military capabilities and the neutralization of its organizational ability to act are crucial for Israel's future. In the Middle Eastern reality, all sharks have been smelling blood in the wake of Oct. 7 amid a perceived weakened Israel must hit back at the shark and display its bloodied corpse for everyone to see. Failing to do that will result in endless swarms of sharks trying to devour the Jewish state.
In the same terrible event on October 7, there was also something that must end in a way that allows healing, after one of the greatest tragedies of the State of Israel: The abduction of many Israelis (and a few foreigners) by Hamas. The rescue of the hostages is a moral imperative with a high and clear priority. In the future, when historians assess the period and the change brought by the clear victory and the decisive defeat of Hamas, they will likely agree that the return of the captives was just a fleeting episode in the grand scheme of things. This is because, historically, this event is of little significance, and it has no impact on the future.
On the other hand, today, when the captives are in the hands of the barbarians from Hamas, for the country, and certainly for the families, it is a problem that must be solved as soon as possible – even at the expense of greater difficulties in actual combat. These difficulties may later become apparent due to having bought time with the hostage deals, which allow it to stop the momentum of the IDF, reorganize itself, and introduce humanitarian aid to the strip.
The terrorist organization will have food, water, and medicine. The price for the hostages is determined by the civilian echelon who is responsible for the army, and the army will adjust itself for the sake of Israeli civilians. This is the essence of the deal - the hostages will be released, and the army will fight a more difficult war.
At the end of the war, after Gaza is free of terrorists and even afterward, we will take pride in not neglecting humanitarian and moral aspects, such as the return of the captives. But this pride will only have a place if the war ends as mentioned with an absolute victory, and for that purpose, the war must be renewed immediately (literally immediately) after the two sides end the ceasefire. The victory requires expanding the war significantly. The historic mission must be completed without hesitation and fear and I believe, there will be endless support for this in Israel.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
