Unless Hamas is dismantled, no viable civilian alternative can emerge.
By Hezy Laing
Security experts from two of Israel’s leading strategic think tanks, Prof. Kobi Michael and Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, say the IDF must take full control of Gaza.
In a recently published paper, the two explain why, despite two years of war of low intensity fighting, Hamas continues to function, both civically and militarily, as the ruling power in Gaza.
Hamas controls the Gaza City area, western Khan Yunis, the central refugee camps, and the al-Mawasi area, where about half of the population resides.
“Hamas’s leadership considers sumud (steadfastness) a supreme value with religious significance that transcends national meaning. It believes that merely surviving as the dominant armed force in Gaza, even in a weakened and damaged state, constitutes a form of victory over Israel. In Hamas’s view, the Oct. 7 attack was a justified action that significantly advanced its goal of Israel’s destruction.”
They conclude that the only way to prevent Hamas’s resurgence is through its complete dismantling as the effective ruling entity in Gaza.
“Dismantling Hamas means eliminating its capacity to function as an organized military and governmental authority. Unless Hamas is dismantled, no viable civilian alternative can emerge, and no real reconstruction process can begin. A secure reality in and around Gaza cannot be established, nor can the threats of raids into Israel and rocket fire be eliminated.
If Hamas can be dismantled through a negotiated agreement, that would be the most desirable outcome. Yet, Hamas continues in its refusal to accept a deal. An agreement based on accepting Hamas’s terms for the release of all the hostages is overly optimistic. The hostages are Hamas’s most valuable asset and Hamas may not be quick to release them all. It is also possible that not all the hostages are in Hamas’s possession. Moreover, Hamas would portray the new reality as a victory and justification for the Oct. 7 attack, further motivating its military resurgence and desire for another such attack.
The full takeover of Gaza and the establishment of a temporary military administration constitute the act of ending the war and transitioning to the phase of establishing an alternative governance model to Hamas and creating the conditions for Gaza’s reconstruction to begin. The dual purpose of a military administration is to prevent Hamas’s resurgence and sever its ties to the civilian population. The aim is to convince Gaza’s public that Hamas will not return, thereby opening the door for new actors to assume responsibility for civilian governance.”
Prof. Kobi Michael is a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies-Tel Aviv University (INSS), while Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser heads the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS).
