We have heard little about Gaza since the beginning of the war in Iran. However, Israel continues to face dilemmas there. While eyes look away, will Hamas reconstitute? Would Israel dare lose focus? Beyond that, Israel must decide whether they want more war in Gaza or containment of 58%. Here is where the dilemma begins…

October 7, 2023 and the war that followed was incredibly costly. Not only did Israel lose over 1,200 lives (including 329 IDF soldiers) and have over 250 captives taken hostage to Gaza that fateful day, but at least another 525 soldiers have been killed on the battlefield since then. Indeed, the cost is high, and in the midst of it all, Israeli leadership vowed to totally and completely dismantle and disarm Hamas.

Israel made headway on that vow. Yet, following the ceasefire, Israel is met with a dilemma: what is preferable – the current situation in Gaza, or renewing the war until Hamas is destroyed?

The current situation: Israel was successful in driving Hamas away from the borders, and according to the ceasefire agreement, Israel ceased attacks in return for all the hostages. Pending Hamas’ disarmament (also part of the deal), Israel’s military (IDF) controls 58% of the Gaza Strip. However, Hamas controls Gaza’s interior where they continue to reorganize, stockpile weapons, and impose taxes on “humanitarian aid” (such as iPhones, premium coffee beans, etc).

Israel often refuses to occupy territory gained by military victory. For example, when they captured the Sinai Peninsula In 1956 from the Egyptians (who attacked but were defeated), Israel gave it back on the promise of peace in return.

On the other hand, Israel has given up territory voluntarily (not because of military defeat), also on the promise of peace. A prime example is the Gaza Strip which required dismantling 21 Israeli settlements and relocating thousands of Jewish residents in order to hand the territory over to the Palestinians. Peace never came, but Hamas terrorists did.

So, will Israel remain satisfied to “contain” Hamas by tightly holding the 58% of Gaza they currently control, thus reducing the risk that additional soldiers will be lost in war? To succeed, it seems Israel would need to keep Hamas on the defensive, suffocating them of necessary resources. In doing so, the conflict will likely never end, and Israel will be viewed as the occupier.

Or, will Israel restart a war that marches toward the avowed dismantling of Hamas? Doing so would almost certainly rekindle the ire of most nations, damaging the legitimacy of their actions and stoking the propaganda flames of genocide.

What’s worse: occupation of the Gaza Strip without Hamas disarmament or Hamas disarmament without control over the Gaza Strip?

Israel will forever be thrust into positions of difficult decisions and looming accusations from the nations of the world. Regardless of their decisions, God’s faithfulness will never fail. Israel will hang on to their tiny nation because God made an everlasting covenant with Abraham, promising the land to him and his descendants! Rest assured, my friends, regardless of what happens in Gaza (or Iran!), Israel will remain! Rejoice!