Reports of significant progress in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the Gaza Peace Council, regarding the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement are sparking protest and concern in Israel.
The possibility of withdrawing from the Strip without demilitarization and without disarming Hamas raises fears that Israel has become indifferent to the threat closest to its borders.
A quick review of Israeli news reports in recent weeks might give international readers the impression that Israel is facing only two main enemies: Hezbollah and Iran.
But the truth is that Israel has a much closer enemy, located right within the territory, actively using international diplomatic channels to ensure its survival and future: Hamas. This is the same heinous terrorist organization that shocked the world with the October 7th massacre.
Now, like a pig displaying its hooves to deceive others into thinking it is kosher, Hamas presents itself to the world as ready for long term agreements, but under completely different terms than those Israel has demanded since the ceasefire took effect.
The disturbing possibility that the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, might cave to international pressure spearheaded by President Donald Trump and the Peace Council, whose decisions Israel is forced to merely observe from the sidelines, has united voices from both sides of the Israeli political map.
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