Netanyahu’s Illusion of ‘Total Victory’ Shattered: Israeli Analyst
“The images of masses of Palestinians crossing on foot over the Netzarim corridor on their way to what remains of their homes in northern Gaza is a very likely sign that the war between Israel and Hamas is over,” Amos Harel wrote in Haaretz newspaper.
“These images, taken on Monday, also shatter the illusion of ‘total victory’ that prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his supporters had been promised for many long months.”
More than 300,000 displaced civilians returned to northern Gaza since Monday under a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Israel.
The Israeli analyst said Netanyahu refused to discuss “the day after” arrangements in Gaza throughout the war, and continued to promote that Hamas would be defeated.
“Now it's likely that he will have to settle for much less than that,” Harel said.
Israel allowed displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza after Qatar mediated an agreement between Hamas and Israel under which the Palestinian group agreed to release Arbel Yehud and two others before Friday.
Harel called the agreement to release Yehud by Hamas “a tactical concession to complete a strategic gain, namely the return of Gazans to the north of the Strip.”
“Once they're back in their ruined communities, it will be difficult for Israel to resume the war and evacuate them again from areas that the army wants to occupy, even if the ceasefire agreement collapses at the end of the six weeks that comprise its first stage.” Harel said.
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The first six-week phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement took effect on Jan. 19, suspending Israel’s genocidal war that has killed more than 47,300 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and injured more than 111,400 since Oct. 7, 2023.
The Israeli regime's onslaught has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in one of the worst global humanitarian disasters ever.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November last year for Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
Source: Anadolu Agency
