The Next Steps: Where is Israel Headed in its War against Hamas?

After seven days of a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the return of 114 hostages to Israeli territory, most of them Israeli women and children, Hamas violated the agreement and renewed the fire and launch of rockets toward Israel. Israel is now continuing in the next phase of its war against Hamas, attacking not only the northern part of the Gaza Strip, but also cities and neighborhoods in southern areas. In this podcast INSS researcher Adi Kantor sits down with Ofer Shelah, senior researcher at INSS and former member of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Together they discuss the current situation in Gaza and consider: Where is Israel headed vis-à-vis its goals concerning the war? What are the scenarios and parameters for the “day after”? What are the US conditions for continuing the fighting, and do they suit the Israeli objectives? And what is known at this point regarding Israel’s biggest failure in its 75 years of independence in protecting its own citizens against the October 7 massacre?