Shalom Ben Hanan, a former head of a division in the Shin Bet and a research fellow at the Institute for Anti-Terrorism Policy at Reichman University, recently shared his insights on the ongoing conflict in Gaza in an interview with Maariv. With his extensive experience working in the Palestinian arena, Ben Hanan offered a unique perspective on the situation.
He emphasized that terrorism should not be justified under any circumstances, and that there is no foreseeable peaceful solution to the conflict. He also highlighted the challenges of fighting in a dense urban area with a large civilian population and an underground tunnel network built by Hamas. Ben Hanan stressed that the issue of dealing with the tunnels is complex and has been a longstanding challenge for Israeli forces.
In addition, he discussed the funding for the tunnels, pointing out that funds intended for the Gaza Strip were primarily used for military buildup and the construction of the underground network. He also addressed the difficulty of distinguishing between civilians and Hamas fighters in the densely populated area.
Ben Hanan also touched on the separation between civil society and the Hamas organization, stating that it is an artificial separation and that support for Hamas is widespread among the population in Gaza.
Lastly, he expressed the necessity of neutralizing tens of thousands of fighters and government supporters to prevent the growth of a terrorist state in the region.
Overall, Ben Hanan provided valuable insights into the complexities of the conflict in Gaza, shedding light on the challenges faced by Israeli forces and the broader implications for the region.