Prof. Kobi Michael Urges Israel to Use Trump Plan Clause to Weaken Hamas in Gaza
Prof. Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center and the Institute for National Security Studies, warned in an interview with Channel 7 against the illusion that Hamas can be controlled without its full disarmament in Gaza. He called on Israel to take independent initiatives on the ground rather than relying solely on international bodies like the Palestinian Peace Council. Israel recently set a deadline demanding the immediate halt of kite terrorism from Gaza, raising questions about the effectiveness of such international pressure. Michael acknowledged the Peace Council’s influence stems from its ability to pressure Hamas, which values its ties to the council and its envoy, Maldenov, but stressed that Israel’s public messaging was crucial in signaling its stance directly to Hamas.
Michael assessed that Israel’s signal has achieved a short-term calm, but cautioned that Hamas will likely lower its profile temporarily regarding kite attacks while actively seeking alternative ways to rebuild its military strength. Hamas continues to consolidate its political and military control in Gaza, preparing for future conflicts and leveraging negotiations with the Peace Council and the 15-point agreement to maintain its central role in Gaza and beyond.
A key part of Hamas’s strategy involves the upcoming Palestinian Authority elections in November, where it is exploring forming a joint national list with figures like Mohammed Dahlan, Nasser al-Kidwa, and possibly Marwan Barghouti. This would allow Hamas to participate politically under a civilian guise without abandoning its terrorist ideology or charter calling for Israel’s destruction. Michael highlighted Hamas’s dual approach of maintaining armed resistance rhetoric while seeking political legitimacy to increase influence, especially in the West Bank.
This political ambition is backed strongly by Qatar and Turkey, both aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood, and is compounded by what Michael described as American naivety and the Trump administration’s push for a quick diplomatic achievement in Gaza amid complex regional dynamics involving Iran. He warned against repeating the 2006 mistake when US pressure forced Israel and the Palestinian Authority to allow Hamas’s participation in elections, leading to Hamas’s takeover of Gaza and subsequent conflicts.
Regarding Hamas’s current capabilities and the feasibility of disarmament demands, Michael stated Hamas has lost much of its original power. He noted that Israel and the US currently agree on a phased approach to full disarmament as outlined in the ten-point plan. However, he warned that US positions can be volatile, urging Israel to proactively shape security realities rather than react to others’ initiatives.
Michael pointed to clause 17 of the ten-point plan as a practical step, allowing gradual reconstruction in areas fully cleared of Hamas and under Israeli military control. This would weaken Hamas by relocating populations to safer zones and provide Israel with international legitimacy for continued military operations in northern Gaza. Ultimately, he argued, a full military takeover and dismantling of Hamas’s organized military wing are essential for regional stability.
He concluded by criticizing the repeated American misconception that radical terrorists can be moderated through respectful negotiation, citing failures in Iran, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. Michael urged Israel to remain vigilant and not let American illusions jeopardize its security in Gaza.
