Israel Gains Strategic Advantage as US-Led Peace Council Advances Hamas Disarmament Plan

The peace roadmap for disarming Hamas, announced by US President Donald Trump under the "Peace Council," marks a significant moment in the ongoing conflict, despite Israel not yet officially adopting the plan and Hamas linking disarmament to Israeli withdrawal. This development signals a shift from viewing Hamas as an unchallengeable force to one compelled to negotiate the dismantling of its tunnels, surrender weapons, and relinquish control. Following the hostage exchange deal, initial Israeli sentiment was pessimistic, with many perceiving it as a defeat. However, all hostages were returned, Israel expanded effective control over 73% of Gaza, and international discourse shifted from rehabilitating Hamas to dismantling it.

Skepticism remains justified since Hamas without arms is fundamentally altered, and voluntary dissolution is unlikely. Yet, this creates strategic space for Israel: if Hamas disarms, Israel achieves its primary war goal; if Hamas violates the agreement, Israel retains broad control and a renewed diplomatic basis to continue dismantling the threat. The international mechanism has also evolved. The Peace Council, while not legally replacing the UN, operates under a UN Security Council resolution and shifts influence from a paralyzed multilateral institution to a flexible US-led framework backed by power, funding, and enforcement capabilities. For Israel, long subjected to automatic condemnations, this is a strategic breakthrough.

The article emphasizes that time is a strategic resource, allowing Israel to wear down enemies, rebuild, gather intelligence, and convert military gains into political outcomes. Historical examples from Israel’s wars illustrate how pauses in fighting enabled decisive advances later. Similarly, in northern Israel, restraint was initially seen as weakness but ultimately led to successful operations against Hezbollah. However, patience must be strategic, not procrastination; leadership must clarify what changes during waiting and when to shift from preparation to decisive action. This approach also applies to Iran, where delays might strengthen Israel’s position if used to improve defenses and alliances.

The author concludes that leadership is tested over time, not just initial impressions, and that time, when wielded wisely, is a weapon rather than an enemy. Professor Moshe Cohen-Eliya, a constitutional law expert and founder of the Masad Haaretz research institute, underscores that strategic patience combined with clear objectives can transform Israel’s security landscape.