What are the interests of regional players such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar with regards to the Israel-Hamas war? What are the pathways forward for regional normalization and integration? Misgav Institute Senior Managing Fellow Asher Fredman answers these questions in a briefing to the Israel Defense and Security Forum.
Following reports the IDF expects 6-8 more weeks of full scale war Prof. Kobi Michael offers perspective on the IDF’s advancements in the Gaza Strip: The IDF prepares itself for a ground operation in Rafah. i believe that at the end of the day the war in Gaza will not be ended without tackling the issue of Rafah, be it by a military operation or by self dismantling of Hamas. We can dismantle the last Hamas brigade in Rafah without occupying entire Rafah exactly as we did in Khan Yunis.
The interview was on the I24 television channel, February 20, 2024.
The war in the Gaza Strip has entered a complicated stage in which the decision makers in Israel will have to decide whether to operate in Rafah, how to act in order to advance a deal for the hostages held by Hamas, and how to deal with the pressure from the US to reach a settlement leading to the creation of a Palestinian state. Meanwhile, the tension on Israel’s northern border is rising.
Former National Security Council head Meir-Ben-Shabbat says Israel must press ahead with achieving its war aims despite US concerns.
The interview was published in Globes, February 18, 2024.
Ruth Wasserman Landa: The Egyptian regime would hardly shed any tears if Hamas – which they view like the outlawed Muslim brotherhood – was destroyed. Yet Cairo is threatening to abrogate the historic peace treaty with Israel if the IDF goes through with its planned invasion of Rafah and takeover of the Philadelphia corridor along the frontier. Ruth Wasserman Lande, a former member of Knesset and deputy ambassador to Egypt and today a research fellow at the Misgav Institute for National Security, said that Israel needs to beef up its strategic dialogue with Egypt. She outlined to reporter Arieh O’Sullivan some of Israel’s leverages it can exercise with Egypt.
The interview was on Kan11 English News, February 12, 2024.
Prof. Kobi Michael: After dismantling all the military center of gravity, Hamas can not operate anymore as an organized military entity, but individuals or small groups here or there attempt to.
Professor Kobi Michael: Now the world begins to understand and acknowledge that UNRWA is no less than another wing of Hamas.
The interview was on Arab News, February 1.1.2024.
Prof. Kobi Michael: The only way such quantities of weapons could have reached the Gaza Strip are via the Philadelphi Corridor.
Interview to the news agency Ap, January 26, 2024.
David M. Weinberg discusses the proliferation of illegal weapons in Israel; the need for rapid-response security squads everywhere in Israel; and the question of whether to allow Palestinian workers from Judea and Samaria back into Israel.
Briefing for Israel’s Defense and Security Forum (Habithonistim), January 22, 2024
Prof. Kobi Michael: victory in Gaza means dismantling Hamas’ major military and governmental centers of gravity in a way that will prevent from Hams remaining an effective military and governmental entity in the Gaza Strip. In each day we are making additional steps towards the victory. After accomplishing the mission in Khan Yunis area,, and it will be sooner than later, we will remain with last challenge which is Rafah area and mainly Philadelphy corridor that must be blocked in order to prevent weapon smuggling. Israel and Egypt should reach to an understanding in this regard and the US will have a pivot role in facilitating it. The Gazan population must be convinced that Hamas will not remain after the war, otherwise it will continue supporting Hamas and helping it to recover.
Dr. Yossi Mansharof: Pakistan showed you can attack Iran.
Interview to The Times of Israel, January 22, 2024.
