Watan-Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak urges prioritizing diplomatic solutions over military escalation to recover hostages and establish an alternative to Hamas governance, warning against the risks of a prolonged, multi-front war.
In an article published on Israel’s Channel 12 website, Barak argues that nearly 17 months have passed since October 7, yet the most urgent goal remains securing the immediate release of all hostages—many of whom are still alive, shackled in underground tunnels. He warns that those who have been abandoned could meet the same fate as Ron Arad, the Israeli Air Force pilot captured in Lebanon in 1986, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Barak Blames Netanyahu for Stalled Negotiations
Barak criticizes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for violating the agreement he signed with Hamas. He asserts that the second phase of the hostage deal was not halted due to security concerns or because the Philadelphi Corridor is “essential to Israel’s survival,” but rather because Netanyahu’s political survival depends on the support of right-wing ministers such as Bezalel Smotrich and Yitzhak Goldknopf.
Barak accuses Netanyahu of stalling for time before resuming heavy fighting in Gaza, claiming that the real goal is to dismantle Hamas’ rule, a mission that has remained unchanged for nearly 17 months. He warns that violating the deal and threatening to resume full-scale war could amount to a death sentence for the majority of the remaining hostages.
A Strategic Dilemma: Hostage Release vs. Hamas’ Removal
Barak outlines what he sees as two conflicting objectives for Israel:
- Immediate release of all hostages, which would lead to the end of the war under the existing agreement.
- Dismantling Hamas’ rule in Gaza, which, according to Netanyahu, requires an intense military campaign.
Barak argues that Netanyahu is making a strategic mistake by pushing for the second option, dragging Donald Trump and his advisor Steve Witkoff into a war strategy with no clear endgame. He insists that the only viable way to dismantle Hamas’ rule is to replace it with a legitimate governing body, an idea that Netanyahu has deliberately blocked since October 7 to protect his own political position.
A Regional Alternative: Egypt and Saudi Arabia’s Plan
Barak reveals that Egypt and Saudi Arabia have proposed an alternative plan, which involves:
- Forming a steering committee for Gaza, led by Arab states that have signed peace agreements with Israel, including Saudi Arabia.
- Having the committee operate under the Arab League, with support from the United States and a mandate from the UN Security Council.
- Establishing a Palestinian technocratic government to manage civil affairs in Gaza.
Key Conditions for the New Administration
Barak notes that the plan would strictly exclude any individual from the 50,000 bureaucrats and officials working in Gaza’s civil sector who:
- Previously belonged to Hamas’ military wing.
- Participated in the October 7 attacks.
Additionally, Palestinian security forces would be trained under Egyptian supervision, funded by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and gradually deployed to Gaza.
Why This Plan Can Work
Barak explains that Hamas may continue to fight Israel for years, but it cannot:
- Attack Egypt, which controls Gaza’s only gateway to the world.
- Confront Saudi Arabia or the UAE, which would oversee Gaza’s reconstruction funding.
- Defy the Arab League or UN Security Council, which would provide international legitimacy for the new administration.
Barak argues that this plan, despite imperfections, could have been refined with U.S. support since day one of the war. He suggests modifications such as:
- Gradual Israeli withdrawal to a buffer zone, ensuring security before a full withdrawal.
- A temporary international force operating for 9-18 months to prevent Hamas’ remnants from regaining power.
“Total Victory” is an Illusion
Barak ridicules Netanyahu’s goal of total victory, pointing out that despite months of military operations:
- Israel has invaded Jabalia four times and Deir al-Balah three times, yet no decisive victory has been achieved.
- Hamas’ fighters continue to regroup and recruit replacements, even after suffering heavy casualties.
- More civilian casualties will further damage Israel’s global standing, increasing allegations of war crimes.
- The Abraham Accords could weaken, and Israel may strain ties with Egypt and Jordan.
A Diplomatic Solution is the Only Way Forward
Barak asserts that Netanyahu is prioritizing his political survival over national security. He argues that Netanyahu:
- Failed to protect Israelis on October 7.
- Sabotaged possible hostage deals, leading to more deaths.
- Lacks the moral and legal authority to sacrifice more lives for his own political gain.
Barak concludes with a warning:
- Negotiations remain the best path forward—continuing the war would only bring more suffering without a real plan for Gaza’s future.
- The U.S. and Arab partners must recognize that Netanyahu is not Israel—he is an elected official who has lost touch with reality and is acting purely in self-interest.
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