Israel’s Gaza Campaign Risks Its Own Collapse, Warns Retired General

September 2024
In a striking critique of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, retired Israeli Major General Yitzhak Brik has warned that the relentless assault may lead to the collapse of Israel itself rather than the defeat of Hamas. The retired general’s opinion piece, titled “It Is Not Hamas That Is Collapsing, but Israel,” comes nearly 11 months into Tel Aviv’s military operations in Gaza, which have been marked by intense bombardments and ground raids.

A Deteriorating Military Campaign
Brik argues that Israel’s strategy in Gaza is faltering. Despite the extensive military effort, he contends that Hamas has not only endured but has begun to replenish its ranks with young fighters, some as young as 17 or 18. In contrast, the general notes that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are experiencing growing internal challenges, with many reservists resisting repeated redeployments, and conscripted soldiers facing exhaustion and a loss of professional competency due to insufficient training.

“If we continue fighting in Gaza by raiding and re-raiding the same targets, not only won’t we bring Hamas to collapse, but we’ll collapse ourselves,” Brik warned, underscoring the deepening crisis within the Israeli military ranks.

Mounting Casualties and Internal Discontent
The toll of the conflict has been devastating, particularly for the Palestinian population. Since the campaign began on October 7, 2023, in response to Hamas’s Operation al-Aqsa Storm, over 40,820 Palestinians, including many women and children, have been killed, according to health officials in Gaza. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has maintained a hardline stance, insisting that Hamas must be completely destroyed before any cessation of hostilities can be considered.

However, this prolonged and brutal campaign has also led to significant internal dissent within Israel. Public support for the war effort is waning, with growing protests demanding a ceasefire and negotiations for a hostages-for-ceasefire deal with Hamas. The Israeli government faces increasing pressure to justify the ongoing conflict, particularly as reports emerge of Hamas’s resurgence in areas that had been temporarily under Israeli control.

Hamas Rebuilds Amid Israeli Struggles
Adding to Israel’s challenges, reports suggest that Hamas has managed to rebuild its capabilities in the northern Gaza Strip, recruiting 3,000 new fighters in the process. This resurgence highlights the difficulties that Israel faces in achieving Netanyahu’s stated goal of “crushing” Hamas. The resilience of the Palestinian resistance movement, even after nearly a year of relentless assault, suggests that Israel’s strategy may be fundamentally flawed.

A Warning for the Future
General Brik’s stark assessment raises critical questions about the future of Israel’s military and political strategy. As the conflict drags on with no clear end in sight, the risk of Israel’s own collapse—militarily, politically, and socially—seems to grow. Brik’s warning is a sobering reminder that the cost of war extends far beyond the battlefield, potentially threatening the very stability of the nation itself.

As Israel continues its campaign in Gaza, it must grapple with the realities on the ground and consider whether its current approach is sustainable—or if, as Brik suggests, it is time to rethink a strategy that risks undermining the state’s own foundations.