Israeli Lawmaker Warns of No Clear Plan to Defeat Enemies

Member of Knesset Amit Halevi has expressed concern over Israel's lack of a clear strategy for decisively defeating its enemies. Halevi stated that Israel has yet to be presented with a concrete plan for achieving a decisive victory.

He believes that to prevent a recurrence of the October 7th events, Israel must alter its approach to warfare. This involves not only eliminating terrorists but also destroying the infrastructure that fosters their existence. Speaking to Arutz 7 radio, Halevi, a member of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, emphasized that the current strategy fails to address the root causes of terrorism.

Halevi argued that Israel dedicates significant resources to combating immediate threats while neglecting the ideological, educational, social, organizational, and economic structures that produce terrorists. "The main enemy is the infrastructure that generates them," he stated. He added that limited military operations do not yield long-term results, as terrorist organizations can rebuild their capabilities after hostilities cease.

Halevi urged the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to revise its tactics and adopt a systematic approach to counter such organizations in Gaza, Judea, and Samaria. He specifically addressed the Palestinian Authority, asserting that its post-Oslo Accords governing structure includes armed formations with tens of thousands of trained fighters. Halevi advocates for dismantling this structure and establishing full Israeli control over the territory.

As a potential strategy, he proposed dividing Judea and Samaria, along with the Gaza Strip, into separate operational zones. This, he suggested, would allow for the sequential establishment of control and the execution of military operations tailored to each area's specific characteristics. Halevi reiterated that he has not seen a comprehensive plan encompassing territorial capture, enemy demilitarization, and the establishment of real control to achieve victory, neither for Gaza nor other fronts.

He mentioned raising this issue repeatedly in committee meetings, demanding that military leadership present a concrete strategy and allow for oversight of its implementation. Halevi stressed that following the failures of October 7th, the military must be prepared for full-scale enemy defeat plans, not just raids or operational presence. "To avoid repeating that shock, the military must be ready," he said.

Despite his concerns, Halevi noted that his suggestions have influenced some military decisions. He cited an instance where an officer changed his unit's tactics from close-quarters urban combat to a siege approach. According to Halevi, this officer reported that before the change, the unit lost six or seven soldiers, but after adopting the new tactic, there were no further casualties. Nevertheless, Halevi feels the Israeli military system has not fundamentally reevaluated its understanding of the enemy and how to combat them. He called on national leadership to define a long-term strategy that would prevent terrorist organizations from rebuilding their strength.