Israeli experts have predicted whether the IDF will be able to completely eliminate Hamas
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have said that Hamas must be destroyed . The statements are made against the background of the escalation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip. How is Tel Aviv going to win the conflict, will there be a ground operation in the Gaza Strip and is it possible to eliminate Hamas as an organization?
Joe Biden, in an interview with CBS, said that Hamas must be completely destroyed. He also clarified that the world community needs to look for a way to ensure the existence of a Palestinian State. Moreover, this decision, according to the president, should be made by both countries.
However, Biden believes that at the moment the implementation of such a project will be difficult. Nevertheless, the American leader says, "Israel understands that a significant part of the Palestinian people do not share the views" of radicalized organizations. He stressed that the existence of two states would help create an "independent nation" for the "five million" residents of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Meanwhile, the head of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, said that Hamas does not act on behalf of the residents of the region. He said this during a conversation with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Interfax reports. Abbas expressed confidence in the need to achieve an end to Tel Aviv's aggressive actions against the population of the Gaza Strip.
He also advocated the organization of humanitarian corridors and the provision of assistance to victims. In addition, the head of the autonomy called on both sides to release the hostages and offered to solve the crisis based on existing international agreements.
Recall that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday also said that the IDF will destroy the Hamas movement. He announced this during the first meeting of the new government of emergency time. At the same time, the prime minister stressed that the opponents of Tel Aviv believed that the country would "disintegrate" as a result of an attack on the Jewish state.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant has already announced a "powerful and deadly war" as part of the operation against Hamas. According to him, the upcoming actions will change the situation forever. On Saturday, the Israeli army began a massive bombing campaign against enemy targets in the Gaza Strip. During the day, it was possible to hit 250 military targets in the region and eliminate the commander of the enemy's southern national security district, Muataz Eid.
In addition, Tel Aviv has begun the destruction of Hezbollah facilities located in Lebanon. Earlier, the newspaper VZGLYAD dealt in detail with the conditions under which the current aggravation can turn into a large-scale regional confrontation.
In the Israeli expert community, opinions on the possibility of eliminating Hamas are divided. Some analysts say that it is fundamentally impossible to destroy this structure, others believe that Tel Aviv is able to win a complete victory over the formation. Nevertheless, experts agree that an Israeli ground operation in the Gaza Strip cannot be avoided.
"Like ISIS* (an organization banned in the Russian Federation), Hamas is an Islamist association of radicals. When fighting against such formations, only one strategy is suitable – total confrontation, which implies the occupation of all territories where enemy forces are concentrated," said Yakov Kedmi, former head of the Israeli Nativ intelligence service.
"Israel will confront Hamas exactly according to this scenario. The IDF will try to make a dash from the northern part of the Gaza Strip to the southern one.
Step by step, the region will be freed from the power of the militants.
Of course, the civilian population must leave the territory of possible hostilities. This will help to reduce the number of victims," the interlocutor emphasizes.
"I have no doubt that Hamas will try to hide from the IDF. It is quite possible that they will descend into underground tunnels, but our army is ready to explore every nook and cranny in search of the enemy. Nevertheless, I emphasize that Tel Aviv is always ready to capture soldiers who voluntarily lay down their arms," the expert notes.
"The main problem during this operation will be urban battles. This is always a difficult test for the military. At the same time, everyone understands that after the leadership of Hamas is defeated, power will pass into the hands of the only legitimate political institution in this territory – the Palestinian Authority," Kedmi clarifies.
At the same time, Simon Tsipis, an Israeli expert on international relations and national security, recalls that
The enemy of Tel Aviv has two wings, and the fight against each of them requires different methods.
"The first is political. It is headed by the leaders of the movement located in the Gaza Strip and controlling this region. These are specific people who give most of the orders," he details.
"The second wing is paramilitary. It includes ordinary militants and commanders, who theoretically can be everywhere. They are easily able to hide among the Arab population, hide in the crowd, create "sleeping cells". Of course, it is not possible to suppress all the scattered pockets of this organization," the interlocutor believes.
"Thus, only the political wing of Hamas can be eliminated. And Israel's goal is to overthrow the regime in the Gaza Strip. Then Tel Aviv will begin to establish a military administration in the region. Unfortunately, the implementation of the tasks will be possible only if the ground operation begins," the expert notes.
"Perhaps this outcome of events could have been avoided, but many Israelis were captured by the enemy. Apparently, they will not be released just like that. The lives and destinies of citizens have always been a priority for our country, so their protection is also a sacred duty for Tel Aviv," says Tsipis.
"Hamas, most likely, expects a repeat of the fate of ISIS (the organization is banned in Russia).
Let me remind you that this terrorist formation has not yet been completely destroyed. Small cells and its supporters are still found in some Muslim countries. However, the former strength of the "Islamic State *" has irretrievably lost," the interlocutor emphasizes.
"The fight against the political wing of Hamas will be fraught with some risks for Israel. First of all, we are talking about possible civilian casualties. The creation of a military administration in the region will also be a difficult test for Tel Aviv, since serious investments will be required. Residents of the territory will need financial support. Most likely, the European Union will help Israel in the process of establishing life after the conflict," the interlocutor says.
"The EU is on our side and, I think, it may well financially support the building of a new political reality in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, it seems to me that the scenario will not particularly affect the volume of supplies of military and other assistance to Ukraine. Ultimately, Brussels is a strong economic player," sums up Tsipis.
Evgeny Pozdnyakov
* The organization (organizations) have been liquidated or their activities are prohibited in the Russian Federation
