Gvura Forum to Netanyahu: No Phase B While Hamas is Armed

The management of the Gvura Forum sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following the pressure to transition to the second phase of the deal with Hamas. In the letter, the management, on behalf of hundreds of the forum's families, demands not to proceed with the deal without the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip from weapons, and to ensure that Israel's security, from the sea to the Jordan, will be solely in Israel's hands. According to the families, these two principles constitute the will of their loved ones, who went out to fight and gave their lives for the state.

"In recent days, we have heard with increasing concern about the discussions taking place in preparation for the transition to Phase B of the agreement with Hamas," wrote members of the Gvura Forum's management. They stated that "Reports of an intention to allow some kind of civilian government in Gaza, and to integrate foreign forces in the management of the Strip, even before the enemy's capabilities have been destroyed, keep us awake at night. Our loved ones, who fought with courage and valor, did not go into battle and risk their lives to return the situation to its former state, nor did they sacrifice their lives so that Israel's security would depend on foreign elements."

Later in the letter, the two principles that they consider a red line before moving to the next phase were detailed. The first principle presented by the forum is that there is no advancement without the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip: "No discussion of the 'day after,' rehabilitation, or a political settlement is possible as long as the terrorist organization Hamas holds weapons. Any political advancement before Hamas is completely demilitarized from its weapons and authorities is a spit in the face of the fighters and guarantees the next round of bloodshed. Destroying Hamas's military capabilities is a threshold condition, not a long-term goal."

The second principle emphasized by the families is that Israel's security must be only in the hands of the IDF. "We flatly reject any idea of introducing foreign forces—international or regional—to maintain order. History has proven, and the massacre of October 7th emphasized this at a heavy price: Only the IDF defends Israel's security, from the Jordan to the Sea. We must not entrust our fate to foreign forces, and we will not agree to any reality in which the IDF does not maintain full and absolute freedom of security operation in any area that could threaten us."

"Mr. Prime Minister, the citizens of Israel expect victory, the defeat of Hamas, and the return of security to the state's borders. This is why our loved ones risked their lives. We strengthen your hand to continue fighting until the decision, but we stand as an impenetrable wall against any concession that endangers the future of the state. In their deaths, our loved ones commanded us victory—and we will demand it until the end," concludes the management of the Gvura Forum in their letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.