In his unilateral announcement on Sunday night to the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet about resuming supplies to Gaza, the prime minister presented weighty considerations. Western media again claimed there is "hunger in Gaza." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained to ministers – but not in the official public statement – that he fears losing even Republican Party support, to the point of a potential American veto against the entire Operation Gideon's Chariots . Faced with such a consideration, it's clear why he was willing to pay the humanitarian currency price.
It's possible that under the circumstances we've reached, there truly was no escape from this difficult decision. However, reversing the "complete blockade" policy, particularly with this timing, is a result that should never have happened, no matter from which angle you look at it.
Because Hamas received the prize of allowing supplies into Gaza, exactly during the critical hours of negotiations in Doha. Meaning, at the time when Gaza's population is desperate for relief due to war pressures and the organization is beginning to show some flexibility as a result – Israel is easing its pressure and thus reducing Hamas' interest in reaching a deal. In other words, it's no longer President Joe Biden, but we ourselves who are pressuring Hamas with the right hand while helping it with the left hand. This is completely unreasonable.
The timing is also unfortunate from a military perspective. On the same day that the IDF escalates its use of force in Gaza, it is also weakening the effect of that same operation by easing pressure on Hamas. Again, a policy that contradicts itself.
As mentioned, perhaps by last night's point in time there was already no escape from the decision due to American pressure. However, this moment didn't suddenly appear, but rather stems from a chain of previous decisions and a work pace that goes back months.
Because while Trump's train races forward, making many major decisions at breathtaking speed, Netanyahu's Israel trudges along energetically. Every step is taken with extreme caution, slowly, bit by bit, with hesitations, wonderings, deliberations, and delays. And so, while we were promised that immediately upon the entry of the new IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF would embark on the great campaign to destroy Hamas, three months have passed without this happening – and not because of him.
"Those who need to know – know"
Or another example. On May 5, the cabinet decided to give Hamas a ten-day ultimatum to reach a deal. As a senior security official updated at the time, "(There is) a window of opportunity until the end of the US president's visit to the region to execute a hostage deal according to the 'Witkoff model'... If a hostage deal is not carried out, Operation Gideon's Chariots will begin with great force and will not stop until all its objectives are achieved."
Yet President Donald Trump left the Middle East by Thursday afternoon. A deal was obviously not signed, yet Israel continues dialogue with Hamas and is slicing the "Gideon's Chariots" operation like salami. Those who need to know – know.
In other words, Netanyahu, according to his well-known method, manages things cautiously and slowly, step by step, when there are always good considerations for his decisions. The problem is that the inherent contrast between him and Trump creates a gap between the individuals. When Trump wanted to open the gates of hell in January, we went for a pause and a deal. That's where we lost him. That's where the trains disconnected.
This is also how we arrived at the situation where last week he led his regional tour without Israel. And this is also what's behind his claims about hunger in Gaza.
The conclusion is that Israel in the Trump era must move forward quickly. Trump has absolutely not turned against us, but he certainly struggles to understand why we are delaying. And when he doesn't understand, we are forced to take steps that harm our own fundamental interests.
