Israel must realize that the return of the hostages can only be achieved through negotiations, US government officials tell the New York Times.
According to high-ranking US officials, Israel has achieved everything it can militarily in the war against the Islamist Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. The military has severely damaged Hamas, but will never be able to completely eliminate it, reports the New York Times, citing unnamed officials. Israel’s ongoing bombing raids only increase the dangers for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
In many ways, Israel’s military operation has done far more damage to Hamas over the past ten months than US officials had predicted when the war began in October last year. Israeli forces are now able to move freely in the Gaza Strip, Hamas is severely weakened, and Israel has destroyed important supply routes from Egypt to Gaza.
But one of Israel’s most important goals, the return of the remaining hostages, cannot be achieved militarily, according to the experts from the USA and Israel interviewed, the newspaper continues.
“Israel has succeeded in undermining Hamas, killing some of its leaders and largely reducing the threat that existed before October 7 to Israel,” the paper quoted the former head of the US Central Command, General Joseph L. Votel, as saying. Hamas is now a weakened organization. The release of the hostages can only be achieved through negotiations.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
