Israel is weighing in on the fifth option if Hamas fails to return the shipment

Israel is working on different options if Hamas does not comply with demands to return the remnants of control of Gaza, the security deployment said.

Israel is working on five options in the event that Hamas fails to return the shipment, said officials from Israel’s security establishment on Monday.

In no particular order, the five options explored are: Expansion of operational controls, targeted escalation, The handling of operational returns, political pressure, and termination of existing agreements.

Expanding Performance Management

The first option involves Israel launching operations to increase control of key areas, increasing the percentage of the Gaza strip with the IDF presence.

Following policies outlined by Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz, the IDF has been operating along the border, targeting and destroying Hamas infrastructure, including irrigation canals.

Target climb

The second option would have included a further escalation of Israeli military efforts in Gaza, targeting Hamas working alongside the regional authorities. The IDF has already demonstrated this approach by hitting a vehicle carrying Palestinian Jihad Operatives preparing for an attack.

More aggressive measures could include a return to targeted killings of senior Hamas leadership, who would no longer have human shields.

The search always finds retrieval operations

A third option would be to use Israel’s ingenuity by retrieving remnants, using air, land and land charges. Although such an operation would carry great risks for IDF personnel and could cause environmental damage, it remains an effective means of suppressing Hamas.

Political Pressure

Another option is that Israel can employ diplomatic pressure, especially involving the US to use influence on advocates such as Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, urging them to guarantee the return of all the hostages.

Such measures would put Israel’s phase into transition to phase II, including closing the border crossing and reducing humanitarian aid and access to GAZA.

Termination of existing agreements

The fifth option involves the cancellation of all agreements and understandings with Hamas, leading to a resumption of major fighting in Gaza. While this is currently not seen as a good option, it remains a theoretical answer should all else fail.

Is Hamas using hostages as bargaining chips?

There are growing concerns within Israeli circles that Hamas may use the remnants of the “negotiation” groups and mislead the Red Army. Israel is considering several strategies in dealing with the US to further pressure Hamas.

Hamas is believed to be well aware of the locations where the remains are buried, while sending Red Cross teams and Egyptian officials to the ears related to the actual burial sites.

Currently, reports indicate that Hamas is operating near the IDF border, near the yellow line, scrutinizing the Israeli military’s ability to respond to suspicious movements. In some cases, the IDF has even adjusted its position.