Several countries have condemned Israel for the cabinet’s decision to conquer the Strip; among them are Qatar and Iran. And, as it is said: “From my enemies I learn” — from the behaviour of our enemies we understand what exactly we ought to do. That is, if Iran condemns this decision, it means it is the most correct one!
Meanwhile, it turns out there are serious disagreements between the plan to conquer the Strip and Smotrich’s demands (and, of course, those of Ben-Gvir as well).
Below is part of what Minister Smotrich said on Saturday night:
Citizens of Israel! Over 22 months of war we have paid a heavy price, but, with G-d’s help, we have achieved colossal successes on all fronts. Hezbollah, Syria, Iran and other enemies who for years threatened us and planned a large-scale assault have been vanquished.
In Gaza we have dealt HAMAS heavy blows, eliminated most of its leadership and a significant part of its terrorist infrastructure. But the work is not finished, and the aims of the war have not yet been achieved.
In recent weeks I worked intensively with the Prime Minister on a dramatic plan for victory in Gaza. It combines a rapid military victory with an immediate political step that will strike a painful blow at HAMAS, destroy its military and civilian capabilities, exert unprecedented pressure for the release of the hostages, and lift the spirit of the people of Israel. For weeks it seemed that the Prime Minister supported this plan.
He discussed the details with me, projected a desire for victory and an intention to see the matter through. But unfortunately, he made a sharp about-face.
The Prime Minister and the cabinet yielded to weakness, allowed emotion to defeat reason, and again chose to take the same path: a military operation without the goal of final victory, aimed merely at pressuring HAMAS for a partial hostage deal. At the same time it has been clearly stated that if HAMAS agrees to a deal, we will again stop, again pull back, and allow it to recover and rearm. And so on in circles.
This is not how wars are won, this is not how hostages are brought home, this is not how victory is achieved.
If the pursuit of a deal lies at the heart of our actions, the IDF will always stall and operate at half strength. Worst of all, by preserving for HAMAS the possibility of a temporary respite, we are guaranteeing that when it feels collapse is near, it will ask for a pause to regroup and will agree to a temporary deal. Then the war will stop again, the fighters will pull back again, and their efforts and sacrifices will have been in vain. And so without end—and there will be no victory.
To send tens of thousands of fighters into street-to-street combat in Gaza, risking their lives, to pay a heavy diplomatic price solely to pressure HAMAS for a partial hostage deal and then retreat—this is immoral and illogical…
Mr Prime Minister, it is not too late to change your mind. Convene the cabinet again and make an unequivocal statement: no pauses, no partial deals. This time we proceed to a clear and tough decision—either the full capitulation of HAMAS and the return of all the hostages at once, or its complete destruction. Annexation of a significant part of the Gaza Strip and opening it for voluntary emigration.
Only thus, with G-d’s help, will we prevail.
Is this so?
It is hard to understand what is truly going on in Netanyahu’s mind. Even if at this moment he wants to conquer the entire Strip, we have already seen many instances where he yielded to international pressure. It seems Smotrich fears that when the fighting for Gaza City begins and pressure inside the country and abroad intensifies, Netanyahu will halt the military operation, once again turn to a deal with HAMAS, and the cabinet’s decision will be completely nullified.
There may also be needless losses among soldiers in an operation that Netanyahu perhaps does not intend, from the outset, to see through to the end.
Another problem: as I wrote on Friday, the volume of aid to be delivered into Gaza will be increased fourfold! The number of American aid hubs will rise from 4 to 16, and the number of lorries will likewise quadruple. It is clear that such massive aid will only strengthen HAMAS and is, from the outset, a mistaken step.
Therefore we must all continue both our prayers for the strengthening of the political leadership in the face of pressure (as the Rebbe, the King Moshiach, taught during the war in Lebanon) and public protests—each according to his abilities. It is our duty and our privilege to influence reality and the actions of the government and the army.
Thank G-d the cabinet has taken a decision in the right direction, but, with G-d’s help, we must do everything possible to ensure it is implemented, and that the Nazi organisation standing against us is finally defeated and destroyed.