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 Hamas’ ideological 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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