'Israel' long way from goal of 'dismantling Hamas': NBC News

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: NBC News
21 Dec 2023 23:59
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"Israel" has not succeeded in attaining several crucial objectives outlined for its ongoing aggression on Gaza, a new piece published in NBC News acknowledges.

Palestinian family holds the body of one of its children in a hospital on December 14 in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. (AFP via Getty Images)

"Israel" claimed that its "military operation" in Gaza has caused "significant damage to Hamas," but, in reality, it seems far from delivering the "knockout" to the Palestinian Resistance that Israeli leaders promised at the start of the aggression 11 weeks ago.

This is the take offered by Dan De Luce, a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit, who further argued that in the slow and methodical street-to-street combat, coupled with continuous bombing raids, "Israel" claims to have made tactical gains against Hamas and initiated the "dismantling of its military infrastructure." However, experts and former US military officers suggest that these "advancements" are temporary, with no indication that the Palestinian fighters are anywhere near a strategic defeat.

“I wouldn’t call it impossible, but I think the likelihood is becoming increasingly small that they will achieve the strategic goal of eliminating Hamas as a threat,” said retired US Army Lt. Gen. Michael Nagata, as quoted by Dan De Luce.

The Israeli government's "limited success against Hamas" has come at a significant cost, with civilian casualties and widespread international condemnation, the report added. As of Wednesday, the death toll for Palestinian civilians reached a tragic milestone of 20,000, as reported by Gaza health authorities.

Dan De Luce gushed, "Israel so far has failed to achieve several key goals that it set for the campaign."

In Dan De Luce's view, Hamas' senior leaders are still alive, and while "Israel" claims that the movement's military infrastructure has been significantly damaged, it has not been completely eradicated. Despite ongoing efforts, Hamas retains control over the Gaza Strip and continues to hold captives. Israeli aim to permanently "remove Hamas from political power" has not been realized, he acknowledged.

The gist of De Luce's argument is that the Israeli forces have deployed significant troops and resources in the aggression, with four divisions, including paratroopers from the 98th division, operating in the Gaza Strip. However, they have faced increased casualties in close-quarters combat, reporting at least 137 troops killed in the offensive, including nine in a Hamas ambush.

The higher the civilian death toll, while claiming to achieve military success, the more the risk of losing support from the US that has been calling it for "more surgical operations," he added.

“Every bit of progress they make towards their strategic goal increasingly damages their reputation internationally and makes it harder for their allies and supporters to continue to support them,” said Nagata.

Concept of Resistance

Facing criticism both internationally and domestically for "Israel's" impact on civilian lives in Gaza, officials from the Biden administration have been reportedly urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to take the aggression down a notch and adopt a more measured and restricted approach.

According to a former senior Israeli official, the increasing civilian death toll and the dwindling likelihood of achieving a definitive outcome will compel "Israel" to take action soon, prompting a shift toward a more "restrained and scaled-back military campaign."

Following the October 7 operation, Israeli leaders pledged to "eliminate the leadership of Hamas, dismantling the entire chain of command, and ensuring that Hamas no longer maintains control over the Gaza Strip."

However, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, and its top military commander, Muhammad Deif, are still alive and in control.

“We have not been able to do that," i.e. remove Hamas’ leaders, the former senior Israeli official said. “That is a big, big issue that is putting pressure on the military.”

Should Israeli forces fail to either eliminate or apprehend the top Hamas leaders, the Israeli public is highly likely to perceive the result as a failure, as per De Luce.

As per US intelligence reports conveyed to lawmakers, the "persistent threat of Hamas" will endure even "if Israel manages to eliminate its top leadership," given the movement's foundation on the concept of Resistance, as indicated by congressional aides.

An increasing number of Democrats in Congress, including military veterans with experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, have drawn on their background to raise concerns about "Israel's" tactics. They argue that the extensive bombardment and high civilian casualties are counterproductive approaches.