Keep the gas on the counterterrorism pedal

The article argues that Israel must maintain a strong counterterrorism stance against Hamas and Hezbollah, rejecting diplomatic efforts that would disarm these groups without their genuine commitment. It highlights that Hamas senior official Ghazi Hamad explicitly stated, “We do not intend to hand over the weapons to Israel,” and that “No disarmament process will take place before Israel completes its withdrawal from the Strip.” The piece emphasizes that both Hamas and Hezbollah view diplomatic talks as leverage to remove Israeli forces without relinquishing military power. It warns against a restrained response to attacks, asserting that it would be perceived as an acceptable cost by the enemy, and advocates for immediate, disproportionate responses to deter future aggression. The author concludes that constant pressure from targeted counterterrorism operations is crucial to disrupt their capabilities and prevent surprise attacks, urging Israel not to ease this pressure or withdraw from territory before these groups are dismantled.