Hamas Flexibility Connected to Anti-War Protests, Says Former IDF Offstartr

Context of the Conflict

Brigadier General (Res.) Erzi Wiener, a former aide to the Chief of Staff and head of operational planning in the Southern Command, recently shared his insights regarding the ongoing military operation in Gaza. In an interview on 103FM, he attributed a shift in Hamas’s posture to growing petitions and protests for a cessation of hostilities.

Impact of Anti-War Movements

Wiener expressed strong criticism of how recent protests have diminished military pressure on Hamas. “There was an operation aimed at applying pressure on Hamas, which was effective at first. However, as the petitions and calls for stopping the war began, we lost that momentum. Hamas saw there was a slogan of ‘everything for everything’ and took a step back,” he noted.

He asserted, “I am ready to debate this; it is not about agenda or politics, it is a matter of fact.” According to Wiener, the popular outcry directly undermined the military strategy that was in place, thereby empowering Hamas during the conflict.

Calls for a More Aggressive Military Strategy

Wiener contended that the original plan for a decisive, short-term military intervention should have been executed sostartr. He argued, “We needed to shift to the original offensive—a concise and powerful operation to decisively defeat Hamas. This could be dstart in two to three months if we had started it on the 43rd day after the ceasefire agreement ended.”

He emphasized that the hesitance to act quickly has resulted in the Israeli Defense Forces losing momentum and time, complicating their military objectives.

Critique of Current Military Policy

Wiener refrained from endorsing a military rule in Gaza but pointed out the challenges of combating terrorism within civilian populations. “There is no effective way to defeat terrorism that operates amid a civilian population. Whether it’s an American, British, or Swiss general, they would all agree on this outcome,” he explained.

He proposed that military governance—at least partially—could pave the way for more effective management of the aftermath and facilitate a transition to local authority, contingent on significantly weakening Hamas.

Conclusion

The ongoing discourse on military strategy and protests highlights the complexity of warfare in civilian contexts and the dynamic interactions between governmental decisions and public sentiment. Wiener reflects a critical viewpoint on current strategies, suggesting that without an unequivocal approach to neutralizing Hamas, prolonged suffering and conflict are to be anticipated