US to support Israel destroying and killing every last member of Hamas after securing the hostages
The recent
agreement between Israel and Hamas has raised several critical questions,
particularly surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's
motivations.
Why would
Netanyahu, known for his staunch right-wing coalition and reluctance to
compromise, commit to a deal that entails significant political risks? Equally
puzzling is Hamas’s decision to make concessions. The answer, it seems, lies
with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Netanyahu’s
shift appears tied to interactions with Trump officials, including
President-elect Trump himself and his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. Reports
suggest that a pivotal meeting between Netanyahu and Witkoff played a more
influential role in shaping the agreement than a year’s worth of efforts by the
Biden administration. Arab officials have hinted that this encounter
drastically altered Netanyahu’s stance.
One
plausible explanation for Netanyahu’s decision is a commitment from the
incoming Trump administration to back Israel in its broader goals. Trump’s
advisors, including incoming Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, have made it
clear that they support the complete eradication of Hamas. During his Senate
confirmation hearing, Hegseth stated bluntly, “I support Israel destroying and
killing every last member of Hamas.”
Similarly,
Mike Waltz, the incoming national security adviser, expressed a determination
to end the cycle of hostage-taking by terrorist groups. Speaking on the Call
Me Back podcast, Waltz emphasized that Trump’s approach aims to impose
severe consequences for such actions. “Terrorist groups and rogue
states have only seen upside [for taking hostages] in the last four years,”
Waltz argued. He further stated that Hamas must be “destroyed to the point that
it cannot reconstitute.”
These
remarks indicate that Netanyahu’s apparent confidence in securing a deal with
Hamas stems from assurances of robust U.S. support. Waltz even declared on
Fox News that if Israel needed to re-enter Gaza, the U.S. would fully support
such a move. He stated, “We’ve made it very clear to the Israelis: If they need
to go back in, we’re with them. If Hamas doesn’t live up to the terms of this
agreement, we are with them.”
Trump’s
return to power fundamentally reshapes Israel’s strategic environment. Israelis
widely believe that his administration will grant them greater freedom in
addressing regional threats. This belief explains Netanyahu’s willingness to
strike a deal, even at the risk of internal political backlash. By
showing a willingness to engage in a ceasefire, Israel positions itself as
seeking peace while laying the groundwork for potential future action.
The
ceasefire offers Israel an opportunity to strengthen its intelligence
capabilities within Gaza, similar to its past efforts in Lebanon. Netanyahu
seems to view this pause as a chance to gather intelligence and prepare for a
potential offensive. If Hamas violates the terms of the agreement, such as by
rearming or launching rockets, Israel would have a justified pretext to resume
military operations.
This
strategy allows Israel to balance international optics with long-term
objectives. Trump’s involvement ensures American backing for any escalation,
providing Netanyahu with a safety net. Trump, in turn, has already taken credit
for facilitating the agreement, and Netanyahu is likely to continue
acknowledging his role.
In essence,
Netanyahu’s calculation is a calculated gamble. By signing this agreement, he
not only appeases immediate political pressures but also positions Israel for a
more aggressive stance against Hamas in the future. The ceasefire is not an end
but a means to a more significant strategic goal.
Source: TOI
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