Israel Can Contain Hamas Without Full Gaza Reoccupation, Says Strategic Analyst

In a June 2026 opinion article, strategic analyst Efraim Inbar argues against full Israeli reoccupation of Gaza, asserting that containing Hamas in the roughly 30% of territory it controls is more pragmatic than pursuing total elimination. Inbar notes that Trump's Gaza Plan faces obstacles, including the absence of an international stabilization force and Hamas's refusal to disarm, citing UN reports on the difficulty of establishing civilian authority without first overcoming Hamas resistance. The author contends that total victory is unrealistic because Hamas maintains popular support among Palestinians despite civilian suffering, has rebuilt weapons networks, and continues recruiting—a pattern Israel has failed to reverse even in the West Bank after decades of military control. Inbar argues that full conquest would burden Israel with direct responsibility for two million Palestinians, transform the IDF into an occupation force vulnerable to guerrilla warfare, and require costly reserve mobilization at a time when Israeli society seeks normalcy after the longest military engagement in the country's history.