Israel drew a firestorm of international criticism recently when it announced its plan to defeat Hamas once and for all by taking full control of the Gaza Strip. While Hamas’s command and control has been devastated, it is still a deadly enemy that refuses to surrender or release hostages—and it remains deeply embedded within Gazan society,

French President Emmanuel Macron described Israel’s latest plan to achieve victory over Hamas as “A disaster of unprecedented gravity waiting to happen.”

Likewise, mainstream media and other Western powers—reflecting their growing distaste for the conflict and unsympathetic to Israel’s security needs—have criticized this plan. They variously predict untold Palestinian civilian deaths and a catastrophe for Israel’s international standing if it is implemented. Instead, they insist on Israel’s surrender, Hamas’s survival, release of the hostages, and plans for a Palestinian state.

Since Israel sees such an outcome as suicidal, it refuses and has chosen the most logical of unpleasant alternatives: It will invade Hamas’s remaining strongholds in Gaza to wipe out what’s left of the terrorist group. While the plan will likely involve costly, hand-to-hand guerilla combat with Hamas, Israel sees this option as the most viable for achieving its war goals: 1) Destroy Hamas, 2) free the hostages, and 3) ensure that Gaza no longer threatens the Jewish state.

Israel faces two difficult and costly choices as it seeks to end the Gaza War.  Under Plan A Israel would agree to end the war and withdraw from Gaza—essentially surrendering—which presumably would entice Hamas to free the hostages and give Israel and the people of Gaza a brief respite from hostilities. However, it would also allow Hamas to remain in control of the territory, rebuild its forces, and attack Israel anew—as it has vowed to do—leading to more war, more suffering and more criticism from the “international community.”

Plan B is, so to speak, to “bite the bullet”: End the war by defeating Hamas militarily—invading and destroying Hamas’s last remaining strongholds around Gaza City. This would involve evacuating a million or more Gazan civilians who live in this area, then wiping out what’s left of the terrorist group in close combat, in which the Israel Defense Force (IDF) predicts it will suffer uncommonly high casualties.

Note that Israel’s invasion plans involve no forced transfer of Gaza’s citizens. Rather, it will encourage non-combatants to move to designated safe zones, outside combat areas, where they will be safe from Hamas, safe from the fighting, and will receive food and medical care

While Plan B is not ideal—involving more combat, more Israeli deaths, and more suffering for Gaza’s residents—Israel’s ruling coalition nevertheless believes it’s the most viable option. Most importantly, it would eliminate the prospect of another bloody October 7-style invasion—which Hamas has sworn to repeat—as well as the return of thousands more Hamas missile attacks on Israel’s population centers.

How Israelis and Hamas view the government’s new strategy. Making Israel’s decision even more difficult, popular Israeli support for its proposed invasion of Gaza gets mixed reviews. Various polls, depending on timing and survey phraseology, show both Israelis’ preference for a full hostage deal to end the war (57% on August 8) and their support for resuming hostilities (59% on March 19).

A final consideration: Since the Netanyahu government has set the timing for a full-scale Gaza invasion for October 7, 2025, there’s hope—and some indication from Hamas—that the terror group will offer an acceptable compromise. Surely, the imminent prospect of losing control over vast swathes of Gaza changes the group’s strategic calculations. Indeed, according to Arabic-language media, Hamas is now desperate to resume negotiations. No surprise, since military pressure is how Israel has managed to secure ceasefires with Hamas in the past.

Unsympathetic Western nations and media oppose Israel’s takeover plan. Foreign ministers of Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway and the UK issued a joint statement rejecting Israel’s planned takeover of Gaza, saying “It will aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of the hostages, and further risk the mass displacement of civilians.”

Some countries have also responded with measures to punish Israel for its planned Gaza takeover. Germany imposed an arms embargo, Australia announced it would recognize “Palestine,” and France halted visa renewals for El Al airline security staff.

Mainstream media also criticize Israel’s plan. A recent CNN analysis, entitled, “Netanyahu’s Gaza takeover plan satisfies no one but himself,” accused the Israeli Prime Minister of plotting to take over Gaza simply to keep himself in power, blaming him and his “far-right coalition partners” for prolonging the war. In addition, the BBC, PBS, Associated Press and NBC all published articles with headlines blaming Israel for escalating the war.

Hamas cheers Western resistance to Israel’s strategy. In an interview with Al Jazeera, senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad praised Canadian, British, and French plans to recognize “Palestine” as “the fruits of October 7.” Indeed, the sudden rise in public support by Western nations for a “Palestinian” state undeniably—and outrageously—proves Hamas is being rewarded for its October 7 massacre.

Bottom line: Hamas has driven Israel to Plan B. In truth, Hamas has given Israel no other option. Prime Minister Netanyahu has patiently pursued ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, despite threats by coalition ministers to collapse his government. Yet Hamas continues to refuse compromise, insisting Israel fully withdraw from Gaza, leaving the terrorists armed and primed to resume efforts to destroy Israel.

In short, if Hamas remains obstinate, refusing to disarm, free the hostages, and surrender, Israel will surely act on its plan to temporarily take over the entire Gaza Strip. While the costs may be great—both in terms of Gazan suffering and potential IDF military losses—Israel believes they will be worth the result: Liberation of the hostages, disarmament of Hamas, and the end of 18 years of Hamas tyranny over Gaza’s Palestinians.

Please make the point when speaking with family, friends, colleagues—or in letters to the editor—that Israel is pursuing a strategy designed to win an existential war and protect its citizens. It cannot bow to the pressure of Western leaders who can no longer stomach the sights of Hamas’s war on their TV screens or who fear the loss of their Muslim voters.

If you agree we need to spread this truth, please use your email browser to forward this Hotline issue to fellow lovers of Israel—and encourage them to join us by subscribing to the Hotline at no charge.

Best regards,
Jason Shvili, Contributing Editor
Facts and Logic About the Middle East (FLAME)

P.S.      I’m sure you’d agree: If your enemy says they want to kill you and take your land, you’d be smart to believe them. If you try to make peace, but they refuse all your offers and continue to make murderous threats, it’s time to eliminate this enemy. Israel has faced exactly this danger with the Palestinians—yet continued to hope for peace . . . until Hamas’s October 7 massacre and kidnappings. Finally, Israel and many lovers of Israel are facing reality. They’ve concluded their futile dreams of peace must end. They must finally defeat their Palestinian enemies—starting with Hamas and other jihadi terrorists. I hope you’ll agree that we supporters of the Israel-U.S. relationship need to speak out. FLAME’s new hasbarah—explanatory message—“End of the Palestinian Lie”—describes how Israel and the West have for 77 years bought the myth that the Palestinians want peace. It details the many offers of land for peace Israel, the U.N. and the U.S. have made to give Palestinians their own state—all refused. Finally, it explains why Israel must adopt a bold new strategy—disarming, disabling and defeating Hamas and all other terror groups that attack Israeli civilians. Please review this convincing, fact-based editorial, which FLAME intends to publish to millions—in leading social media, as well as in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Chicago Tribune, Tampa Bay Times, Denver Post and Los Angeles Times. This piece will also be sent to all members of Congress, the President and Vice President. If you agree that this kind of public relations effort on Israel’s behalf is critical, I urge you to support us with a donation.

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