Now that all of Israel’s living hostages are home and the vast majority of the bodies of deceased hostages have been returned, the “line of thinking” among many Israeli military and political leaders is “we have nothing to lose” and “we can continue our fight against Hamas,” says Haaretz senior security analyst Amos Harel.

Members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, he believes, are clearly “looking for an excuse” to return to full-fledged war.

Speaking on the Haaretz Podcast, Harel discussed the challenges of ensuring security on Israel’s southern and northern borders and rebuilding and rehabilitating Gaza, given the “vague” nature of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for an international stabilization force and a ruling Board of Peace. In the meantime, Hamas remains fully armed and in control of nearly half of Gaza.

The Americans “have some vague ideas about how to solve things, but nothing ever moves ahead,” Harel observed. “Will there be an international force? Will any country in the world risk the lives of its soldiers and put them in harm's way trying to restrain Hamas? These are big challenges for the Americans.”

On the podcast, Harel also discussed the fragile cease-fire with Hezbollah on its northern border and the firestorm in Israel's military and political arenas over accountability for the October 7 attacks.

Read more:

Analysis by Amos Harel | Latest Lebanon Escalation Is an Israeli Initiative That Serves Netanyahu's Interests – and Has Trump's Blessing

Israel Kills Hezbollah Military Chief in Beirut Airstrike, IDF Confirms

Lebanese Sources Worry That Israeli Escalation Will Weaken Gov't, Thwart Hezbollah Disarmament

Analysis by Amos Harel | As It Prepares for Multifront Wars of Attrition, the IDF Faces a Manpower Crunch and Spiraling Costs

U.S. to Pull Troops Out of Command Center in Israel, Try to Relocate Gazans to Israeli-held Areas

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