IDF Spokesman's Comments on Hamas Rebuked By Netanyahu's Office

Facts

• Israel’s military spokesman, Daniel Hagari, said on Wednesday: 'Hamas is an idea, Hamas is a party. It’s rooted in the hearts of the people — whoever thinks we can eliminate Hamas is wrong.'¹
• Hagari added that 'if we don’t provide an alternative, in the end, we will have Hamas.' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office refuted the comments, saying that Israel is committed to 'the destruction of Hamas' military and governmental capabilities.'²
• Fighting and airstrikes were reported across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday and Thursday, with Israeli forces reportedly advancing deeper into Rafah's western neighborhoods.³
• This comes as the Israeli military pressed the UN to 'scale up' its distribution of aid that had been processed by Israel and transferred to the Gazan side of the Kerem Shalom Crossing, saying that 1K trucks were 'awaiting collection.'⁴
• The main obstacle hindering distribution is security, as most of Gaza has become lawless after almost nine months of war. Though Israel announced a daily pause in fighting for aid delivery, the UN has said the pauses have not translated into 'more aid reaching people in need.”⁵
• Meanwhile, a US-built pier resumed operations on Thursday after it was temporarily removed last week due to poor weather creating dangerous water conditions. It is unclear how much longer it will be operational.⁶

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²France 24, ³Guardian, ⁴The Times of Israel, ⁵New York Times and ⁶Reuters.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by New York Times. Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks from Gaza or elsewhere, which is why the US remains committed to preventing malicious actors from threatening Israel's legitimate concerns. However, the Biden administration is losing its patience with Netanyahu's intransigence. Netanyahu must be willing to work with Israel's allies to find a productive resolution to this conflict.
• Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. Hamas simply cannot stay in power in Gaza, and Israel must continue fighting the good fight. Indeed, If Israel does not destroy Hamas, the group will immediately begin planning the next Oct. 7 terrorist attack. Though there are pressures at home and abroad to end the war prematurely, Israel must get the hostages back and eliminate Hamas.
• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. It should be clear after nine months of grinding brutality that Israel's true goal is to destroy Gaza and starve its people. Even the military is now admitting that it is not capable of defeating Hamas, yet Israel's political leadership refuses to end this genocidal campaign. The US must force Israel to finally stop.