Analyst Zvi Yehezkeli: "Israel has changed nothing in Gaza. Hamas has us exactly where it wants us."

In a significant interview with 103FM today, prominent Arab affairs analyst Zvi Yehezkeli offered a critical assessment of the current situation in Gaza and Israel's approach to negotiations with Hamas. Yehezkeli, known for his deep understanding of regional dynamics, highlighted what he perceives as recurring mistakes in Israel's strategy.

During the interview, Yehezkeli laid out Hamas's current strategic positioning, particularly in relation to emerging diplomatic initiatives. "Hamas is trying to read the map now. On the black horizon, they have Trump's migration plan. If Hamas sees this as the plan, their goal right now is to undermine this big story through staying put and dragging out phase two of the negotiations," he explained.

Yehezkeli pointed to a complex regional dynamic involving multiple actors. According to his analysis, "Right now the Egyptians want to rebuild, and Abu Mazen wants a committee, and everyone is telling Trump: 'Calm down, calm down, the Gaza story isn't terrible, Gaza isn't destroyed, drop this story.'" He warned that this situation is likely to lead to prolonged negotiations, with Hamas deliberately extending the timeline of the second phase of talks.

The analyst expressed particular concern about the potential for renewed conflict, stating that "the matter of returning to fighting will return with greater force." He emphasized that any factors that legitimize Hamas's presence and authority in Gaza ultimately serve to strengthen the organization's position.

Drawing parallels with previous agreements, including the gas agreement and the Oslo Accords, Yehezkeli stressed the importance of understanding the perspective of the other side. He posed critical questions about the effectiveness of current negotiations: "Have the formulas changed? Not just the prisoner exchange, have we changed reality in the Gaza Strip?"

His conclusion was particularly pointed: "Apart from destroying houses, you haven't changed anything, and you're returning to the old square. Hamas wants to hold onto the old formulas. Hamas wants survival, and we're giving it to them."