by Eli Hazan
Just ahead of Rosh
Hashana, negotiating teams were to meet in Cairo on Tuesday, marking the
beginning of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas on a long-term
truce in the Gaza Strip. This comes after the U.S. Senate passed
legislation last week that upgraded Israel's status to "major strategic
partner," a move that will enhance cooperation between the two countries
on regional issues.
This week, the Israeli
government approved a special NIS 1.3 billion ($360 million) aid package
for southern communities near the Gaza border. At the same time, Israel
is implementing a number of economic relief measures meant to ease the
lives of civilians in Gaza. It is no wonder that this is being done, as
Israel clearly distinguishes between Gaza's civilian population and
Hamas terrorist forces. This was demonstrated during Operation
Protective Edge, when Israel avoided, as much as possible, harming
innocent Palestinians civilians, while Hamas continuously tried, without
much success, to harm innocent Israeli civilians. This has been the
pattern of behavior by both sides ever since Hamas established itself as
a dominant terrorist organization.
Israel, in my opinion,
won the recent round of fighting with Hamas. Some commentators are
trying to propagate a misleading impression that Israel lost because it
did not decisively defeat Hamas. But this was not so. It is enough to
look at the pictures -- entire neighborhoods of Gaza were razed to the
ground. Around 2,200 Gazans were killed and many more were wounded. The
disappearance of Hamas leaders to underground bunkers during the
fighting was symbolic.
Israel, therefore,
enters the long-term truce takes with a huge advantage over the other
side and it must fully push for the following equation: "rehabilitation
for demilitarization" -- that is to say, the demilitarization of Gaza
must be a condition for any agreement, easement or reconstruction sought
by Hamas. Palestinian declarations of refusal to disarm will not be
accepted this time. Israel's demand for the demilitarization of Gaza has
received international support. The U.S. and Europe are watching the
Islamic State group with horror, and they understand that Israel's
demand is justified.
Moreover, European
nations, including Germany, Britain and France, have offered to set up a
force that would supervise the reconstruction and demilitarization of
Gaza. It should also be noted that, unlike during the Muslim Brotherhood
era in Egypt, when Mohammed Morsi's government expressed solidarity
with Hamas, Egypt is now ruled by Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who is revolted
by Hamas and its leaders. And the Saudi royal regime feels the same
way. On the other side stands Qatar, which will send millions of dollars
to Gaza for reconstruction, no matter what.
We should not fear
proposing creative solutions, such as Transportation Minister Yisrael
Katz's idea for a complete separation from Gaza and the creation of an
artificial island off the coast of Gaza on which an airport and seaport
would be built for the Palestinians. At the same time, we must insist on
protecting our interests. Residents of southern Israel know this better
than anyone, but all Israelis must come to understand it. This will
require a united Israeli front on the need for the demilitarization of
Gaza. Unfortunately, not everyone understands this now, and some are
trying to delegitimize the concept. Either way, if needed, we will again
fight a war in Gaza.
Thus, we are now being tested, and we will all bear the results, whatever they may be.
Eli Hazan
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=10061
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
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