Under the Trump administration, Israel appears to be operating with reduced constraints, influencing its military approach and the outcome of the conflict with Hamas. According to a former senior Israeli official, the situation is heavily dependent on Trump’s stance, suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu could continue the conflict for another year, contingent on Trump’s instructions.

The Trump administration had clearly communicated its position on hostage release and military support for Israel, which is seen as more permissive compared to the policies under the Biden administration. The collapse of the ceasefire has reignited hostilities in Gaza, with Israel blaming Hamas for not releasing hostages, while Hamas accused Israel of breaching commitments made under the agreement.

John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point, noted a shift in approach, with the United States now more open to encouraging civilian evacuations from conflict zones, signaling a departure from previous policies. Jonathan Conricus, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, highlighted Egypt’s potential role in facilitating the exit of Palestinians from the battle zones, emphasizing the humanitarian and legal need for such actions.

The dynamics of the conflict are complex, with the Israeli government employing a new strategy to apply pressure on Hamas by limiting movement and supplies in Gaza. The hostage situation remains a pivotal issue, with Israel justifying its military actions as necessary to secure their release. Concerns about the safety of hostages have sparked protests, with experts suggesting that Hamas may retaliate by executing some hostages.

Spencer acknowledged the possibility of a definitive defeat for Hamas given its weakened state but emphasized the need for Israel to secure and hold any territory it gains to prevent Hamas from regrouping. The outcome of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas will be influenced by both military strategies and the political stance of the Trump administration, with Netanyahu potentially adjusting his approach based on Trump’s directives.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/how-israels-war-against-hamas-terrorists-different-under-trump