U.S. and foreign press report that the U.S. government has asked Israel to delay its expected ground invasion of Gaza, while authorities continue through intermediaries to negotiation the release of some 10 American hostages. President Joe Biden, 80, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied that the U.S. government has asked Israel to delay anything yet the press pushes the narrative that any ground invasion is in a holding pattern until more work can be done on returning hostages. Israel Defense Forces [IDF] deny that the U.S. government has asked for any pause in ground operation in Gaza to assist U.S. and Qatari officials in negotiating the release of any remaining hostages held by Hamas. U.S. officials refuse to say whether they’ve asked Israel to delay their expected ground invasion. IDF says it’s continuing to softer up targets in Gaza.
Some Israeli officials fear that the longer they delay the ground offensive in Gaza, the more the opposition to the operation, knowing the damage to civilian infrastructure. No one in the U.S. or foreign press question why Hamas would risk decimation to Gaza civilians for the Oct. 7 rampage that killed 1,400 Isralies and tool over 200 hostages. Not one foreign government or press organization questions Hamas tactics, knowing the death-and-destruction rained on Gaza. Hamas, since seizing control of Gaza June 14, 2007, has had four wars and many uprisings all protesting Israeli’s blockade but, more importantly, Israeli’s existence. Hamas was created in 1987 by blind Sheikh Ahmed Nassim for one purpose: To destroy Israel and klll all Jews. Hanas has never accepted any peace agreement negotiated by late Palestine Liberation Organization [PLO] founder Yasser Arafat.
Arafat agreed with Hamas for many years, backing Palestinian revolution against the Jewish State. Hamas tells the Gaza population daily that it will conquer Israel and oust Jews from the Holy Land. In practical terms, all of Hamas promises have led to the destruction of Gaza over the last 16 years four times, with at least four wars. So when Hamas trained for almost two years to invade Israel and massacre its civilian population near the Gaza border, did Hamas really think they’d conquer Israel? Gaza’s beleaguered population blames Israel for all the misery in Gaza. But Hamas refuses to renounce violence, join the peace process, negotiate better conditions for Gaza citizens. It doesn’t help Gaza for Hamas to be in continuous war with Israel. Israel can’t negotiate better conditions for the Gaza Strip when Hams seeks to destroy Israel and kill all Jews.
When it comes to the timing of a ground invasion, it’s doubtful tht Israel has delayed anything to help the U.S. negotiate a release of hostages. Israel has been hitting Hamas targets for the last two weeks, knowing that eventually the operation would lead to a ground invasion. All prior attempts for Israel to root out Hamas from Gaza control have failed in the past. There’s no reason to believe things would turn out differently this time around. Hamas hides in tunnels and inside the civilian population, with rocket launchers and armaments held in garages and other underground bunkers. So, for everyone anticipating a ground invasion, there are no guarantees that any operation, no matter how long it takes, can rid Gaza of Hamas. Israel would have to occupy Gaza until a new legal authority could be established. Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority [PA] cannot control Gaza.
When Hamas ousted the PA June 14, 2007, they didn’t have the military resources or, more importantly, the desire to have a civil war with Hamas. PA President Mahmoud Abbas, 87, simply doesn’t have the stomach to fight with his Hamas brothers. So, if Israel manages to topple Hamas, the U.S or U.N. would have to commit to running the Gaza Strip until a permanent authority could be found. Gaza’s 2.3 million population have no where to go or no resources to live independently of Israel. Hamas has plundered Gaza’s resources over the years, giving little back to Gaza’s population. Protests arund the world repeat the same narrative that Israel stole Palestinian lands in 1948 when it fought its war of independence, leaving them in sovereign control of Israel. Only after the 1967 Six Day War did Israel seize Gaza and the West Bank as buffer zones to prevent future wars.
What looks like a delay in Israeli ground operations in Gaza is nothing more than the IDF continuing to hit Hamas targets before the real house-to-house fight begins. If history is any guide, it’s doubtful the outcome will be any different this time around. Israel doesn’t want to return to occupying Gaza, largely because the population doesn’t want Israel managing the formerly Egyptian-controlled territory. Israel must rethink its failed intel and security that led to the Oct. 7 massacre of Israeli citizens. Israel cleared out Hamas terrorists and restored the border fence in short order. Why the IDF let their guard down in Southern Israel is anyone’s guess? Whatever the future holds, Israel will have to do a better job in protecting its population close to the Gaza border. There’s no reason to believe that Hamas will stop its campaign to destroy Israel and kill all Jews.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma..
