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Former head of the National Security Council Major General (ret.) Giora Eiland on the conduct of the war: “What creates pressure on a government is the lack of supplies and not military pressure”
A number of reserve generals have initiated a special program to deal with the northern Gaza Strip, Major General Giora Eiland, former head of the National Security Council, therefore told the main points of the plan to Aryeh Eldad and Ben Caspit on 103fm.
“I have been talking about this matter for at least nine months,” Eiland said and explained: “There is a statement here that is becoming more and more clear: the assumption on the Israeli side that ‘only military pressure will bring’ – the kidnapped or the victory does not stand the test of reality. What will create real pressure on The other side is the formation of a governing alternative, and the second option is economic pressure.”
Eiland later reminded us why the previous abductee deal was possible for his taste: “The only abductee deal so far, we paid for it at a very small price of three rake fish for each Israeli abductee. Hamas agreed to it because until then two supply trucks entered Gaza a day. Part of the deal was that Israel agreed To increase the number of trucks from two to two hundred. When Hamas violated the terms of the deal on the ninth day, we forgot to return to the terms that existed before. If one party violates, we also do not have to fulfill our commitment.”
“What creates pressure on a government is the lack of supplies and not military pressure”
According to him, “What creates pressure on a government is pressure that stems from the lack of supplies and not military pressure. Hamas is the one that controls the right to supplies and therefore its rule is strengthened, and it makes money from these supplies, because it sells them at an excessive price. It will be very difficult to achieve a military victory this way.”
The general (respondent) also added in the same matter: “I am making an illustration of the northern Gaza Strip: international law says that once there are civilians inside an area, you cannot create a siege on it, but you can starve to death the fighters on the other side if you allow the civilian population to leave You have to go out and tell her: within a week or ten days, the area will become a military area and the daily supply will stop. The way for them to continue living is to go south.”
“The north of the Gaza Strip continues to be the ruling capital of Hamas”
And what if Hamas has already stocked up on food in advance? To this Eiland replied: “In addition to food, Israel also supplies water to the north of the Gaza Strip. As soon as you stop the water, the fuel, the food, there will be pressure there. In the end, always the side that carries out the siege should have more patience than those who are inside the siege, and history Proves this in dozens of cases.”
He expressed regret for the waste of nine precious months and explained what is currently happening in the northern part of the Gaza Strip: “The northern part of the Gaza Strip continues to be the ruling capital of Hamas. There are also hundreds and thousands of citizen activists who manage all Hamas activities from Gaza. Therefore, this place is needed from a certain point to dry. Then you will also be able to take control of it more easily, and not through an excessive risk to the IDF soldiers.”
Editing: Achiad Lok
04/09/2024
The Key to Pressuring Hamas: Economic Sanctions Over Military Might
In a recent interview, former head of the National Security Council, Major General (ret.) Giora Eiland, shared his insights on the most effective way to pressure Hamas, stating that economic sanctions, rather than military might, are the key to achieving a resolution to the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Eiland’s remarks come as a number of reserve generals have initiated a special program to deal with the northern Gaza Strip, sparking renewed debate on the most effective strategy to combat Hamas.
The Fallacy of Military Pressure
Eiland argue that the assumption that military pressure is the only way to bring about a resolution is a flawed one. Rather, he believes that the formation of a governing alternative and economic pressure are the most effective ways to create real pressure on the other side. This notion is supported by the fact that Hamas agreed to the only abductee deal to date because it was dependent on the supply of goods into Gaza, and Israel’s agreement to increase the number of supply trucks from two to two hundred.
The Power of Economic Sanctions
The general emphasized that what creates pressure on a government is the lack of supplies, not military pressure. Hamas controls the flow of supplies into Gaza, using them to strengthen its rule and generate income by selling them at exorbitant prices. Eiland’s plan involves cutting off the supply of goods, including food, water, and fuel, to the northern Gaza Strip, allowing civilians to leave and forcing Hamas to confront the realities of economic pressure.
A Historical Precedent
Eiland pointed out that this approach has been successful in the past, citing historical examples of sieges where the side with the patience and perseverance ultimately emerged victorious. By stopping the supply of essential goods, Israel can create genuine pressure on Hamas, making it more likely to accept a resolution.
Addressing the Logistics
Some may argue that Hamas has stocked up on food and supplies in advance, rendering this strategy ineffective. However, Eiland countered that Israel also controls the supply of water to the northern Gaza Strip, which can be stopped, further exacerbating the pressure on Hamas. Additionally, the general suggested that Israel should allow civilians to leave the area, making it clear that they will no longer be able to live there due to the lack of supplies.
A Missed Opportunity
Eiland expressed regret that nine precious months had been wasted, during which time the situation in the northern Gaza Strip had only deteriorated. He emphasized that the area remains the ruling capital of Hamas, with hundreds and thousands of activists managing all Hamas activities from Gaza. It is essential to “dry out” this area to weaken Hamas and ultimately take control of it more easily.
Conclusion
The approach advocated for by Major General (ret.) Giora Eiland offers
