Occupied Jerusalem- Since the beginning of May, the Israeli army launched a military operation under the name “Gideon’s vehicles”, announcing that it aims to achieve the stated goals of the war in the Gaza Strip, especially the restoration of prisoners and “the overthrow of the rule of Hamas militarily and politically.”
The ambiguity is still surrounding the plan of this process, and none of its declared goals has been achieved until now. Rather, the assessment of a position – issued by the National Security Research Center of the University of Tel Aviv – indicated that there are clear contradictions between what the military sources state and what is issued by the political level, which reflects the difference in positions and trends within the decision -making circles.
According to the reports of researchers and analysts at the center, it is not certain that there is a real intention to implement all the stages of the operation as it was presented, but that some indications indicate that part of what was announced may be a pressure tool for Hamas, without the actual intention of implementation.
Mystery and contrast
Analysts questioned the possibility of completing the “Gideon” operation in its entirety, due to the differences between the army and the government regarding the evaluation of the feasibility of the operation, as both parties, the political and military, are its accounts and its own interests regarding the amplification of the success of operations or reduce their value.
Israeli analyzes believe that these contradictions reflect the absence of a real consensus on the option of “military decisiveness” or the achievement of an “absolute victory” in addition to internal differences between the Staff headed by Eyal Zamir, and the government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu (required for the International Criminal Court), on the feasibility of the continuation of military operations in Gaza, in exchange for the trend towards a prisoner exchange deal and a ceasefire agreement that guarantees the restoration of Israeli prisoners.
Despite the ambiguity surrounding the “Gideon” plan and contrast between the political and military levels, the statements of some leaders raises fears of intentions that may be a violation of international law, which may open the way for judicial prosecutions in the International Criminal Court in The Hague and the issuance of arrest warrants against prominent Israeli political figures and military leaders.
The risk of goals
The “Gideon” plan raised many questions about its real goals, and the limits of its commitment to international law, according to an estimate of a position prepared by the lawyer, Benina Carvit Baruch, who is the director of the “Israel in the Global Aid” program at the National Security Research Center, and Tami Kanner, the coordinator of the National Law and Security Program in the same center.
The “evacuation” plan includes about 70% of the population of Gaza in the south, with the establishment of “humanitarian areas” managed by private companies under the supervision of the army, but it says, as Baruch says, “lacked the basic guarantees imposed by international law” such as providing vital needs and ensuring a safe return to the displaced.
In light of political statements calling for “voluntary migration” or a “demographic war”, Baruch adds, “The risk of temporary evacuation is highlighted into a systematic, systematic displacement”, which may constitute a crime against humanity or even ethnic purification.
On the other hand – according to Baruch – the intentions of the imposition of “long -term operational control” on Gaza indicate increasing legal responsibilities that fall on Israel as an occupying power, such as food insurance, health and basic services, obligations that Israel may not have the ability or desire to meet them now.
Baruch believes that the isolation of Israel internationally, even from its allies, is a strategic threat, and that the statements of the current government are harmful to Israel’s position and strengthening its opponents politically, without achieving real achievements, especially if they are directed to internal consumption only.
Appointed
These estimates and readings come, as Kanner says, “In light of the escalation of pressure from the International Criminal Court and the erosion of international support, which puts Israel in front of a dilemma: How do you fight an organization as Hamas within the limits of international law, without being involved in crimes that may chase its leaders and soldiers in the future?”
Although the plan – Kanner added – announces clear goals, such as the liberation of the prisoners and the dismantling of Hamas militarily and politically, the conflicts of statements between the political and military level, and the ambiguity surrounding the implementation steps “are raising increasing concern about the process and its consequences.”
She believes that in the midst of contradictory and mysterious statements, the Israeli army is required to draw clear borders between military planning and political directives, and adhere to international law as a shield that protects it, not as a restriction that spills it, as the battle is not only on the ground, but also in the world’s view.
She explained that “Gideon’s vehicles” include a military maneuver to end Hamas in Gaza and expand the control of the army, as well as a aid plan through relief centers, However, the contradiction of official statements raises the possibility of hidden goals, such as imposing a “voluntary migration” for the inhabitants of Gaza and preventing their return after operations, which may violate the law International.
It is noteworthy that the United Nations rejects the Israeli plan and considers that it imposes more displacement, suffers thousands of people, and limits aid to only one part of Gaza and does not meet other diamond needs, and makes aid associated with political and military goals, as well as starvation makes a bargaining card.
Differences and turmoil
But in the meantime, Netanyahu, with his close team, is seeking – as the military analyst told Haaretz Amos Harel – “to search for parties holding responsibility for the failure to achieve the declared targets of the military operation in Gaza.”
Harel notes that misleading steps accompanying this endeavor aim to transform the attention of public opinion from the accumulated failures in Israeli policies, especially with regard to the management of the war and the file of detainees.
In the context, Harel adds, “The increasing discontent with the Chief of Staff Zamir, who refuses to comply with attempts to hold him the consequences of minor political decisions,” noting that Zamir is taking a position rejecting the responsibility of the results that the army does not bear alone, which reflects a tension in escalating the military leadership and the political level.
According to Harel, Major General David Zaini’s nomination is seen to head the Shin Bet as part of a broader crisis, as it sparked great controversy and re -fueled Netanyahu’s campaign against the Supreme Court, Legal Chancellor, and even the military, and believes that these moves indicate an early preparation for the elections that may be submitted to the beginning of 2026.
He explained that these differences and movements, amid an escalating political and economic crisis, are expected to exacerbate with the approaching discussion of the budget, and the threat of religious parties to withdraw from the coalition due to disputes over the law of exemption from military service, which are indications that suggest turmoil that may redraw the Israeli political scene.