Incredible not in the positive sense of amazing, but rather, “this is not to be believed!” (which is, after all, the literal sense of the word). Not to be believed because it is crazy.
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Matters are moving in a positive direction in Gaza as the intensity of the fighting increases without major fanfare (which is better). We now have three divisions in Gaza, including the 36th Division, which has completed operations in Lebanon and is joining the Southern Command.
Some troops within the Southern Command are already operating throughout Gaza.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/405809
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Troops have encircled Tel al-Sultan in Rafah and entered Beit Hanun, targeting Hamas terrorists and expanding the security zone.
https://www.jns.org/idf-expands-ground-operations-in-gaza-north-and-south/
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In an airstrike on Khan Younis, we have eliminated another senior political Hamas official, Salah al-Bardawil, head of the Hamas’s planning and development office in southern Gaza.
This is after we had eliminated the deputy commander of Hamas’s Gaza Brigade, who was responsible for building the brigade’s force in preparation for October 7, as well the commander of Hamas’s Shejaiya Battalion.
We destroy the operational effectiveness and lower morale as we continue to hit Hamas leaders.
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The Givati Brigade of the IDF has developed a new, more productive way of entering built up areas in Gaza in order to eliminate terrorists that results in fewer Israeli casualties and better results.
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But then, in the midst of all of this, Trump’s Middle East envoy (and long-time close friend) Steve Witkoff gave an interview to Tucker Carleson. The fact that Witkoff chose to appear on the show hosted by Carleson, who has been identified as anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic, in and of itself raised a great many eyebrows, mine included.
See here: https://www.jns.org/tucker-carlson-giving-leading-platform-to-jew-hatred-chikli-says/
But what was really incredible – and here we get to the heart of the matter – was what Witkoff said in that interview (emphasis added):
“A terrorist organization cannot govern Gaza — that is unacceptable to Israel. What is possible, however, is for them to disarm. Then they can stay for a while and even be politically involved.”
“We need to understand what Hamas wants and then think about what we can offer them to make them leave. That is what needs to happen here. At the start of the conflict, we heard that ‘Hamas is an ideology, and they are ready to die.’
“I don’t think they are as ideologically extreme as they’re often portrayed. They send young children who understand nothing to commit suicide with explosive belts. Once we understand that they want to live, we can talk to them more effectively.”
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/405742
My response, on reading this was ein milim, there are no words. Because this statement was just so garbled and illogical. Additionally it showed an astonishing lack of understanding of what’s going on with Hamas. Of course they are virulently extreme in their ideology, which calls for destroying Israel. And they pride themselves on martyrdom. What does he mean that they want to live?
President Trump has done nothing wrong. He has supplied weapons and given the nod to our attack on Hamas. This is light-years from the Biden approach, and we are very grateful for it.
But how has he come to put in place as Middle East envoy someone who speaks as Witkoff did?
Either Witkoff was exhibiting a breathtaking naivete for someone in his position, or he was sucking up to Hamas. And my own assumption is that it was the latter.
While Trump has been supportive of our action against Hamas, it is clearly understood that he prefers a “deal” to fighting. He has said as much with regard to Iran. It might well be, then, that Witkoff – with or without a nod from his boss – sought to reach out to Hamas to strike a “deal.” His attempt was itself naïve and clumsy. So naïve and clumsy that I had no expectation that Hamas would respond positively. But Witkoff’s approach raised questions about what sort of possible arrangement he envisioned (and might continue to seek), and what might be acceptable to him and then to Trump.
All of this was vastly unsettling, for it is understood here in Israel that Hamas – with its oft-stated intention of attacking us again and on-going preparations to do so – must be taken down. A “deal” that allowed Hamas to stand would absolutely not be tenable from our perspective, and any attempt to promote such a deal would be dangerous.
And once again, we would have to say, “Stand strong, Bibi!”
I must make clear here that Witkoff said Netanyahu is working against public opinion in continuing the war on Hamas but that this is not the case. Well over 50% of Israelis indicate in polls that they want the action against Hamas to continue.
This is from just five days ago:
https://www.jns.org/poll-60-of-israelis-back-return-to-fighting-in-gaza/
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But wait! For within the course of a day, the situation has shifted. Whether he is responding to Trump or other sources criticizing his statements made during the Carlson interview, today Witkoff was telling a different story on Fox (emphasis added):
“I thought we had a deal — an acceptable deal. I even thought we had an approval from Hamas.”
“Maybe that’s just me getting duped. I thought we were there, and evidently, we weren’t.”
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/405821
Let us put aside for the moment the problem suggested by a major envoy who can be “duped.” What is more critical here is the seriously disingenuous nature of this statement.
He thought there was a deal with approval from Hamas?
Let us go back just a week, when Hamas rejected Witkoff’s bridging proposal. He said, “After waiting for about two or three days for an answer from Hamas, which is their usual mode, we got a non-acceptable response. I’m not going to go into the specific details of what made it unacceptable, but it was totally unacceptable…”
And if he thought there was a deal, would he have spoken to Carlson about the need to understand what Hamas wants in order to talk to them more effectively?
It does get wearisome. But we can note that Witkoff now says it is important that it be understood that Hamas is the aggressor. And National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz put out a statement in support of Israel: “Israel has every right to defend its people from Hamas terrorists. The ceasefire would have been extended if Hamas released all remaining hostages. Instead, they chose war.”
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There are reports now of an Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire:
“According to last Friday’s Reuters report, officials in Cairo said the proposal includes an agreed timetable for the release of the hostages, along with a final date for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, with US guarantees. The sources said the US had given an initial indication of approval, while Israeli officials stated that no official mediation offer had been received.”
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/03/24/new-details-on-egyptian-ceasefire-proposal/
There is no way to know how much of this is true. Another version calls for immediate cessation of fighting in Gaza, which will serve as a basis for expanded negotiations with the goal of setting a timetable to release the rest of the hostages.
If the US gave initial approval to a plan that required a final date for full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, this rings bells consistent with my concerns expressed above.
Israel will not be agreeing to an immediate ceasefire. Netanyahu had said all negotiations would be held under fire. Hamas’s interest is in the ceasefire, not what would follow regarding release of hostages.
Our Chief of staff Eyal Zamir, bless him, says, according to a Channel 12 News report (emphasis added): “Hamas is stalling for time—this is a strategy, not just a tactic. The IDF’s actions are hurting them and causing instability, but they are not leading to the release of hostages. Therefore, we have no choice—we must increase the pressure.”
https://www.jns.org/idf-chief-no-choice-pressure-must-be-increased-on-hamas/
This approach is one of continuing to squeeze Hamas military to secure hostage releases; there is no talk of a ceasefire.
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The following article by Seth Frantzman indicates as clearly as anything does why we must continue to fight with maximum vigor in Gaza now:
“With the IDF’s rapid advance into Gaza, Hamas may be facing a real challenge… (emphasis in original)
“Arabic media, whether pro-Hamas or not, see the IDF’s rapid advance as a game changer…
“Hamas is melting away. It is not standing and fighting. It doesn’t seem to have many weapons or booby-traps in its arsenal. That could change. However, Hamas has also not been able to fire many rockets. It appears that it is facing a real challenge. This means it may be scrambling to get a ceasefire.” (Emphasis added)
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-847391
What is working is the new plan to advance into Gaza quickly, as compared to the previous plan. Now is the time to finish Hamas!!
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Perhaps we should utilize both meanings of “incredible” within this posting. For it certainly applies in the most positive sense with regard to the amazing and determined work we are doing in Gaza.
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Dear friends, there is so much more to write about – including the serious and distressing civil unrest within our country. When next I write.
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I ask for prayers for Israel’s wellbeing.
Pray for the wisdom and courage of our leaders.
Pray for the safety of our brave troops.
Pray that the hostages will be brought home.
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©Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by independent journalist Arlene Kushner. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution.
