'The 'humanitarian aid' that continues to reach Hamas keeps it in power and risks ruining the achievements of the war.
The way in which the humanitarian effort in the Gaza Strip is being managed, in which the aid largely reaches Hamas and helps it continue to govern the Strip in civilian terms, in direct contradiction to the goals of the war, has been bad throughout recent months.
It was bad before and it's bad now, and for months now I've been warning from every platform that this is one of the reasons for the continuation of the war and the resounding strategic failure that threatens to waste the heroism of the fighters and field commanders and their professionalism and incredible tactical successes.
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
The Chief of Staff and the Minister of Defense have been firmly refusing for six months now that the only way that will allow victory is to occupy the Strip and establish a temporary military government there until Hamas is completely destroyed, and unfortunately Prime Minister Netanyahu is either unwilling or unable to force this on them.
The IDF spokesman's detached announcement this morning in foreign media about the 'humanitarian truce' on the aid supply route from Kerem Shalom to the European Hospital in central Gaza did not reflect any change on the ground. This route has existed since the beginning of the operation in Rafah and is intended to allow the entry of aid by international organizations, in accordance with the existing misconception.
So what's the problem with this announcement, that yesterday the General Staff and the IDF worked half a day to make every word precise, and today, five minutes after its publication, the IDF was required to retract and clarify?!
The problem is that the General Staff is completely disconnected from the reality of the forces on the ground. That it is capable of issuing such a statement on the day we bury 11 of our best fighters. That it is busy all day creating international legitimacy for the continuation of the war, instead of leaving it to the political echelon and dealing with bringing about victory.
In that sense, this message is just a symptom.
The problem is that the General Staff and its head completely ignore the implications of such a message, intended for foreign ears, on the trust and fighting spirit of the fighters and commanders in the field. The problem is that they do not understand that without international legitimacy it will be very difficult for us to fight, but without legitimacy and without the spirit and motivation of the fighters in the regular and reserves we have no chance of fighting and winning.
So one word to the fighters and commanders in the field, God forbid, do not despair. We do feel you, we do understand you, and we support you 100 percent. Your healthy and determined spirit, with God's help, will prevail. I promise you to continue to fight for this with all your might. Together, with God's help, we will win!
