Senior Israel security advisor: Calls to reoccupy Gaza ‘absurd’

Former National Security Advisor to the Israeli prime minister and former head of the National Security Council, Yaakov Amidror, described Israeli calls to reoccupy the Gaza Strip “absurd”, Arab48 reported yesterday.

Replying to a number of Israeli politicians, who called for reoccupying Gaza, Amidror said: “This is absurd. Whoever suggests this does not recognise what he says.”

He added: “Let’s imagine that we had occupied Gaza, what will we do the next day? Become responsible for two million people? This is absolutely not a reliable suggestion.”

Last week, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak suggested that ending Hamas’ control of besieged Gaza could be achieved through a “full” reoccupation of the coastal enclave, noting that this proposal was put on the table for discussion in 2011.

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Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz called for his government to reoccupy Gaza in order to end Hamas’ rule.

Regarding the political proposal being offered to Hamas, Amidror said that its problem is that it does not touch on Hamas’ military abilities. This presses Israel to continue building up its power in order to be ready for the increasing abilities of Hamas.

Amidror said that there are only two options: continue attacking Hamas, and they would rebuild their power, or reoccupying Gaza.

He also suggested a third; targeting Hamas leaders. This, however, would lead to a fierce encounter with the Palestinian movement. “This option should be considered and we should remain ready to carry it out when the price deserves it,” he said.