Retired Israeli General: Continuing War is Dangerous to Us, Not to Hamas

Retired Israeli General Yitzhak Brick said in an article for Haaretz that the insistence of some in Benjamin Netanyahu's government on continuing this losing war, and their belief that a ceasefire means defeat and surrender, is a danger to Israel and not to the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

Brick added that the false claim that the withdrawal from Gaza would strengthen Hamas and lead to another attack that would cause more casualties than what occurred on October 7 is based on a misunderstanding of what is happening in Gaza.

He explained that the continuation of the war will weaken the Israeli army, which is already suffering, as it is losing more dead and wounded every day. As for Hamas, it has already replenished its ranks with young fighters aged 17 and 18.

General Brick said that the war's goals of toppling Hamas and freeing all prisoners through military pressure were not achieved, and if the raids with unclear goals continue at the same pace, "we will not be able to topple Hamas, but we will collapse and be drained," considering that Netanyahu's position on the Philadelphi corridor represents a death sentence for the detainees and an endless war of attrition.

The general warned that the need to confront "threats" from Hezbollah or the West Bank would force the IDF to withdraw its forces from Gaza, because it lacked the resources to fight on multiple fronts.

Thus, according to the general, Hamas will regain control over Gaza, both underground and above ground, which will make it impossible to defeat or overthrow the movement, especially since the tunnels destroyed by Israel represent only a small percentage of the total number.

He added that if Israel stopped its military operations in the Strip, it would be considered a surrender, and it should then reconsider and agree to a deal to release the hostages and end the war in Gaza, which could prevent the outbreak of a regional conflict on several fronts.

During the resulting peace period, Israel could rebuild its military, economy, international relations, strengthen its social cohesion and start over, and in the general's view this is the only possible path forward.

Source: Haaretz