By Hagay Ringel
Let’s ask ourselves some historical questions: Did the USSR provide fuel tanks to the Nazi Wehrmacht army during the attack of Berlin? Did the U.S. offer humanitarian aid to Al-Qaeda during aerial bombings? Did the Western coalition supply trucks with medical equipment and food to ISIS during their conflict? Of course not. These actions go against established military principles, since reinforcing the enemy is inherently counterproductive to the goal of defeating them. The decision-making behind this approach remains unclear. Israel appears to be the sole advocate of the belief that providing fuel and essential supplies, including water, food, and medicine, can contribute to achieving victory over Hamas. The daily entry of hundreds of trucks into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing, coupled with recent efforts to legalize the Kerem Shalom crossing for increased supplies, underscores Israel’s distinct strategy in dealing with the situation.
The situation is indeed difficult to comprehend, and some might characterize it as madness. It’s essential to recognize that the same supply trucks bringing aid to Gaza are supplying both Hamas terrorists and civilians, including those involved in the October 7th massacre. Despite claims of innocence among many citizens, the fact remains that Gaza operates as a quasi-state, with Hamas in control since 2007. Hamas bears sole responsibility for the well-being of Gaza’s citizens. If Hamas chooses to engage in war with Israel, it should anticipate that Israel may restrict the entry of supply trucks into Gaza, potentially harming the residents. If Hamas persists in choosing war, the fate of Gaza rests in its hands. Regrettably, Israel is simultaneously conducting a military operation against Hamas while also attending to the humanitarian needs of Gaza’s residents. This dual approach poses challenges in waging an effective war, as it is known to the enemy that civilian needs are being addressed. Consequently, a significant portion of the supplies may end up benefiting Hamas terrorists rather than the civilians, leading to a paradoxical situation where Israel inadvertently supports its enemy and contributes to the functioning of the tunnels in which it is engaged in combat.
In recent days, an increasing number of videos on Arab social media depict struggles among Gazan citizens, between citizens and Hamas, and even internal conflicts over the distribution of supplies entering Gaza. These incidents reveal a seemingly chaotic atmosphere. Notably, a few days ago, a confrontation occurred where a Hamas police officer shot a child attempting to access supplies from a truck, triggering a fight against Hamas, with many joining the protesting family. Two crucial insights emerge from these events: First, Hamas maintains control over the territory and dictates the distribution of supplies, prioritizing its own members. Second, the supply issue is critical for Gaza’s residents and can serve as a leverage point to pressure them to oppose Hamas. This pressure extends beyond military aspects, encompassing internal dynamics and sentiments. If strategically utilized, this situation has the potential to induce an internal crisis in Gaza, expediting the disintegration of Hamas and leading to the loss of its control over all areas. Such a development could save time and reduce the considerable loss of many of our soldiers’ lives.
Some argue that the primary reason for introducing humanitarian aid to Gaza is due to international pressure on Israel to distinguish between “non-involved” individuals and Hamas, providing essential supplies to Gaza’s citizens. It’s crucial to acknowledge the difficulty in separating Hamas from the residents of Gaza, as the organization embeds itself within the civilian population. Regarding international pressure, Israel should make it abundantly clear that they will not permit any aid shipments into Gaza until the Red Cross can determine that the abductees are still alive and are being treated according to the dictates of international law. Israel’s provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza amid the conflict with Hamas, especially with 130 abductees held by Hamas, adds a layer of complexity. The Biden administration’s desire to expedite the conflict’s resolution further complicates the matter. It’s crucial to convey to President Biden that shipments of humanitarian aid to Gaza may unintentionally prolong the fighting. Consequently, any demand from Israel to bring supplies into Gaza could contribute to the extension of the conflict. Those who fail to grasp this are plainly disconnected from the reality of the situation.
In addition, supplying Hamas with humanitarian aid is morally unjust to the soldiers of the IDF who are fighting Hamas, not to mention the injustice committed against the abductees, who are not afforded the same access to aid as are the residents of Gaza, many of whom supported the barbaric attacks of October 7. It is also unjust to the citizens of Israel and the survivors of October 7, who want a clear, swift, decisive victory against Hamas with minimal casualties.
Moreover, the issue of humanitarian aid to aggressors underscores the global hypocrisy directed at Israel. No other country at war is subject to such stringent moral standards, a precedent that even when met, results in international reproach and ongoing protests. Given that Israel faces condemnation regardless of its actions, a crucial question arises: Why continue sending supply trucks that are “oxygen” to Hamas? I urge the Israeli government to cease these efforts, confident that achieving success in the conflict will be swifter by depleting Hamas of resources. This is the only humane thing to do, the most moral approach to be adopted, and the most effective step in the war against terror. n
Hagay Ringel, an IDF veteran and Middle East Analyst, is a data analyst. He holds Master’s Degrees in Data Analytics and Trade Policy and Global Economics Governance.