Finish the Job
Clock Is Ticking: Cabinet Ministers Warn Israel Must Launch New Gaza Operation if U.S. Fails to Disarm Hamas
Brig.-Gen. (res.) Amir Avivi warns that Hamas is using the current lull to rapidly rearm for attacks and abductions, asserting that if U.S. diplomatic efforts fail, Israel will have no choice but to launch another war to "finish the job."
Senior Israeli defense officials and security cabinet ministers are voicing escalating concern over the rapid military buildup of the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza, with warnings that Israel may soon be forced to launch a new operation to neutralize the threat.
During a cabinet meeting on Thursday, defense officials presented evidence of Hamas’s increasing military and political strength, signaling that the current lull in fighting is being exploited for rearmament and planning. A senior Israeli official conveyed the gravity of the situation, stating:
"If the US doesn’t succeed in disarming Hamas, we’ll have to do it ourselves."
The Growing Threat in Gaza
Brigadier General (res.) Amir Avivi, founder and chairman of the Israel Defense and Security Forum, intensified these warnings, asserting that Hamas is utilizing the ceasefire to regroup and rearm and is actively plotting future terrorist attacks, including the abduction of IDF soldiers.
Avivi framed the situation within a broader regional context involving the United States and moderate Sunni states. He acknowledged the diplomatic process initiated by the administration:
"President Trump wants to first build a coalition, then see how we dismantle Hamas. I don’t think he’ll succeed in doing so via diplomatic means. So Israel is waiting and preparing for the moment when we’ll have to go in and finish the job."
However, Avivi cautioned that Israel cannot afford a prolonged wait, emphasizing the need for both Israel and the U.S. to establish a firm deadline for diplomatic efforts.
"Hamas is getting stronger every day that we’re grouping. They’re arming, they’re planning attacks, and they’re planning to abduct soldiers. We can’t hold this situation for long," he stressed.
Distrust in Disarmament
Avivi also expressed strong distrust regarding the feasibility of Phase B of the deal, which reportedly involves international forces overseeing the disarmament of the terrorist group. He asserted that no regional partner would be willing to undertake such a dangerous mission:
"I cannot see any Arab country willing to go into Gaza when Hamas is armed to the teeth and fight Hamas and force them to disarm," he claimed.
This assessment leaves Israel facing a near-term choice: either the U.S.-led diplomatic efforts succeed in compelling disarmament, a scenario few Israeli defense experts believe is possible, or Israel must prepare to re-enter Gaza to "finish the job" before the terrorist group fully restores its capability to execute major attacks and abductions.