Netanyahu's Hamas Policy: A Strategic Gamble Backfired

A Longstanding Relationship

Much ink has been spilled describing the longtime relationship, or rather alliance, between Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas. Netanyahu has largely ignored military provocations from Hamas since the last major Israeli ground incursion of 2014.

Hamas as a Wedge

Hamas emerged as a strategic tool for Netanyahu, allowing him to prevent the emergence of a cohesive Palestinian leadership that could threaten Israel's interests. Hamas' presence in Gaza served as a buffer zone between Israel and the West Bank, where the more moderate Palestinian Authority held sway.

Ignoring Military Provocations

By turning a blind eye to Hamas' military buildup, Netanyahu calculated that he could keep Hamas in check without escalating tensions. However, this strategy ultimately proved unsustainable. Hamas' military capabilities grew unchecked, and the group became emboldened to launch increasingly deadly attacks against Israel.

A Blowback

The recent Hamas attack has blown up in Netanyahu's face, exposing the flaws in his policy. The Israeli military and intelligence leaders acknowledged their failings in anticipating the attack, while Netanyahu's own political opponents criticized him for his complacency.

Assessing the Fallout

The fallout from the Hamas attack remains to be seen. Netanyahu's political future is uncertain, and the security situation in the Middle East is more volatile than ever. It remains to be determined whether Netanyahu's Hamas policy will be remembered as a strategic blunder or simply a gamble that went wrong.