Prof. Siboni was director of the military and strategic affairs program, and the cyber research program, of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) from 2006-2020, where he founded academic journals on these matters. He serves as a senior consultant to the IDF and other Israeli security organizations and the security industry. He holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in engineering from Tel Aviv University and a Ph.D. in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from Ben-Gurion University.
A provisional military administration in northern Gaza, coordinated with international partners, could lay the groundwork for long-term governance, reducing Hamas’s grip and creating stability for Gaza’s future.
Ending the campaign against Hezbollah while it remains in southern Lebanon would be a strategic failure, preventing the safe return of Israeli residents to their homes. Once Hezbollah and Lebanon are significantly weakened, Israel can focus on addressing the Iranian threat, particularly its nuclear project.
For years, the Gaza Strip has been of secondary importance, with the General Staff focusing primarily on the northern front and Iran. This focus has come at the expense of intelligence gathering, building operational plans, and operational attention to Gaza.
An IDF operation in the Rafah arena and along the Philadelphi Corridor is of great importance for several reasons. First, they are Hamas’ last organized stronghold in the Gaza Strip, and the elimination of Hamas’ military capabilities will not be achieved without the destruction of the battalions stationed there. Second, Israel must remove Hamas’ governmental capabilities in this area. Third, in order to free hostages, it is essential to reach the areas where they are held. Moreover, we need to realize that Israeli communities in areas opposite Rafah will not return to their homes if operational Hamas battalions are on the other side of the border. Finally, the border between Gaza and Egypt – the Philadelphi Corridor – still operates as a conduit for the entry of weapons into the Strip through a network of tunnels.
Creating a governmental alternative to Hamas in the Gaza Strip requires the destruction of Hamas’ military, civil and governmental capabilities. While the IDF continues to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities, there is no non-Hamas affiliated entity willing to accept civilian control of the Gaza Strip during this interim period. Only the IDF can do this.
In the face of Hamas’ evil, there can be no compromise. We must classify its atrocities not only as a crime against humanity but as a separate criminal category of evil.
US support for Israel is strong, but containing the conflict in our region is a supreme American interest, and it remains to be seen whether Washington will also dictate restraint that will make it difficult for Israel to succeed in completing its mission in the Gaza Strip.
Israel must fight until the military capabilities and leadership of Hamas and the other organizations in Gaza are destroyed.
While a formal defense treaty between Israel and the US has several advantages, it will always be subordinate to America’s strategic interests, reducing Israel’s freedom of action. The principle established from Israel’s inception that “Israel will defend itself by itself” must be retained.
As long as it does not launch rockets from Gaza, the immunity granted Hamas from Israeli attacks allows it freedom of action in Samaria, Lebanon, and among Israel’s Arabs.
The IDF has turned into a locomotive that is pulling the Israeli economy in technology and cyber sectors.
The proposal to return the Palestinians to the center of the stage undermines stability in the Middle East, which serves American interests.
