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Accepting Hamas’ Survival is Only Path Forward for Gaza. Gideon Levy. Key Points

 


Detailed overview of Gideon Levy's latest article on Gaza and Palestine. 

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Article Title: "Accepting Hamas’ Survival is Only Path Forward for Gaza"

Published: March 14, 2025, in Haaretz (republished in The Palestine Chronicle) .  

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Key Arguments & Overview 

1. Hamas Cannot Be Eliminated Militarily 

- Levy argues that despite 17 months of brutal war, Israel has failed to destroy Hamas.  

- Casualties & Destruction: Over tens of thousands of Gazans killed, yet Hamas remains politically entrenched.  

- Quote: 

  > "After the deaths of hundreds of Israeli soldiers and tens of thousands of Gazans, Hamas remains. After destruction on the scale of Dresden, Hamas remains." .  

2. Political Reality: Hamas is Gaza’s Only Governing Force 

- Levy dismisses proposals to replace Hamas with the Palestinian Authority (PA) or an international administration as unrealistic.  

- Key Point: 

  > "The king of Gaza will be from Hamas, or anointed with its consent.".  

- Hamas, though militarily weakened, has gained political strength by recentering the Palestinian cause globally.

3. Critique of Israel’s Failed Strategy 

- Israel’s reliance on "barbaric force" has only deepened Hamas’ legitimacy.

- Historical Failure: Israel’s 2005 Gaza disengagement lacked a long-term political vision, leading to today’s crisis.  

4. Call for Direct Negotiations with Hamas

- Levy urges Israel and the U.S. to accept Hamas as a political actor and engage in talks.  

- Controversial Stance:

  > "We need to talk to the organization. Even, or in fact especially, after October 7."  

5. Rejection of Alternative "Day After" Plans

- Levy critiques proposals like Trump’s "Riviera Plan" (mass displacement of Gazans) as fantastical and immoral.  

- Reality Check: 

  > "There is no day after Hamas and presumably there won’t be one anytime soon.".  

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Broader Implications

- Military Futility: Prolonged war only strengthens Hamasideological appeal.  

- Political Stalemate: Without Hamas’ inclusion, no governance model for Gaza is viable.  

- International Law: Levy condemns Israel’s starvation tactics and collective punishment as violations .  

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Related Context from Other Recent Levy Interviews 

1. On Ceasefire Violations (March 2025): 

   - Israel halted Phase 2 of the ceasefire, blocking aid and hostage releases .  

2. On the "Two-State Solution":

   - Levy declares it dead, citing 700,000+ settlers making partition impossible .  

3. On Media Bias: 

   - Israeli media erases Palestinian suffering, focusing only on soldiers and hostages .  

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Conclusion  

Levy’s article is a scathing indictment of Israel’s Gaza policy, asserting that military solutions have failed and diplomatic engagement with Hamas is unavoidable  His stance challenges mainstream Israeli and Western narratives, calling for a radical shift in strategy.  


For the full article, see: [The Palestine Chronicle](https://www.palestinechronicle.com/accepting-hamas-survival-is-only-path-forward-for-gaza-gideon-levy/) .  


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