The Ongoing Gaza Conflict: Military Objectives and Diplomatic Efforts

The Ongoing Conflict in Gaza

The war in Gaza has now extended beyond 10 months, with only a brief respite of one week in November. This prolonged conflict has resulted in significant devastation and loss of life.

Recent Developments on Israel’s Military Objectives

Today, mediators, Israeli negotiators, and international officials are convening in Qatar for crucial discussions aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing war in Gaza. In the lead-up to these negotiations, U.S. officials have indicated that Israel has largely accomplished its military objectives in the region. Their latest evaluations suggest that the continuation of airstrikes is increasingly at odds with humanitarian considerations, as it poses greater risks to civilian lives and has diminishing returns in further undermining Hamas’s capabilities.

Throughout the course of the conflict, Israel’s military efforts have inflicted far more damage on Hamas than U.S. officials originally anticipated when hostilities erupted in October. According to these officials, Israeli forces now operate with relative freedom across Gaza, having effectively destroyed or taken control of critical supply routes connecting Egypt and Gaza.

As reported by the Israeli military last month, approximately 14,000 combatants in Gaza have either been killed or captured during the conflict. The military has also asserted that it has decimated about half of the leadership of the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, which includes some of its most prominent figures.

However, both current and former officials from the U.S. and Israel have acknowledged that one of Israel’s paramount remaining objectives—the safe return of hostages—cannot be accomplished through military force alone. This realization underscores the need for a shift in strategy as diplomatic efforts intensify.

Related Insights:

• One of President Biden’s most trusted national security advisers has engaged in talks with Lebanese officials in Beirut, aiming to prevent a potential escalation of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
• Turkey’s intricate role in the Gaza war has come to the forefront, highlighted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority.
• The New York Times has dedicated several weeks to following the experiences of former hostages in Israel as they navigate the challenges of rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of their ordeal.