My wife and I were in Israel the year that Israel gave Gaza to the Palestinians. There was hope for responsible governance by the Palestinian Authority (PA), but that hope has been repeatedly dashed and finally extinguished on October 7, 2023. The coordinated horrific attack by Hamas militants left hundreds dead and many held hostage.
Israel’s response has been strong and unrelenting, but the release of hostages and the total defeat of Hamas remain elusive. Much of Gaza is left in ruins, and an estimated 3,000 Palestinians in Beit Lahiya have marched for an end to Hamas control, waving white flags and chanting “Hamas out.” Unfortunately, Hamas remains defiant. They continue to fight back, demand an end to Israeli attacks, and still hold hostages.
With no agreement in sight, the world continues to recoil at the damage and loss of life in Gaza. There is a consistent call for an end to conflict, and many world leaders have increasingly criticized Israel for their failure to bring an end to their extended military campaign.
Twenty years ago, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon initiated what was called the “Gaza Disengagement.” Israel unilaterally withdrew from the Gaza Strip, dismantling twenty-one Israeli settlements, removing approximately 9,000 Israeli settlers, and ending the IDF’s military presence in Gaza.
Sharon stated that the disengagement was done to improve Israel's security and international standing in the absence of progress in peace negotiations with the Palestinians. The growing Palestinian population and the cost of maintaining the settlements were key factors in making the difficult decision. The Prime Minister assured its citizens that Israel would maintain control over Gaza's airspace, coastline, and borders.
Recommended
The PA boycotted the official handover ceremony due to Israel's decision not to demolish synagogues in the evacuated settlements. In the leadership vacuum, Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian elections and took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007. When Hamas took control, Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza, and the territory over the last two decades has been a site of recurring conflicts between Israel and Hamas. It culminated in the horrific October 7th attack.
In November 2005, Debbie Rosen, who was removed from the Gush Katif Gaza settlement, shared the result of Sharon’s Disengagement:
“We were evacuated on August 21st by soldiers and policemen. They knocked on our door because we refused to leave. They came first on the 16th at 10:30 pm to leave. I had children in bed. If you want us to leave our home that we have had for 20 years, you must know us. You must see our face and know us and why evacuating us will ruin the beautiful things we have created here. We have created beauty from nothing with the help of God…. We talked to the three officers about our pain and suffering against rockets and the loss of our dearest friends. I told them that they had to do their mission, but you must answer me, “Where are you going to throw us?” The government has a solution. I asked what it was, and he did not have an answer. He cried and confessed that he did not want to do it.… My son took his birds and the other took his flag. My oldest teen stayed in his room screaming. They took us to the bus. It was tough to see the empty houses left in the midst of life. We left our life. Death came to Gush Katif. Some feel that we did not prepare and that we must sacrifice for peace. We used to have good relations with many of our Arab neighbors. Five thousand Arabs wanted us to stay in Gaza because they worked in the Israeli settlements. Now, their jobs are gone. We tried to give them our home, but Hamas leveled it, and our workers had to sign up for charity with Hamas. Does that advance peace?”
Twenty years later, the answer to their sacrifice appears evident. Their loss did not bring peace. The only Jews in Gaza are the hostages Hamas still have under their control and the IDF soldiers now controlling occupied Gaza.
On May 21st, Paul Crespo wrote a compelling column for American Liberty News, “Israel’s Plan To Conquer And Divide Gaza — Is Trump On Board?” He writes, “Instead of ‘divide and conquer,’ this will be “conquer and divide.’ Leaked plans suggest that the Israeli military plans to divide Gaza into military zones and force Gazans into three civilian areas if a ceasefire with Hamas fails.”
He discloses, “A map leaked by diplomats to The Times, reportedly shows three tightly controlled strips of civilian land in southern, central and northern Gaza, separated by four exclusively military zones. Under the plans, titled ‘Stage Three: the complete takeover of Gaza,’ Palestinian civilians would be forbidden to move between the zones without permission.”
After 20 years, Ariel Sharon’s unilateral disengagement has failed. Since Israel will continue to be criticized no matter what they do, maybe it is time for Israel to retake and control Gaza to bring peace and opportunity to the Palestinians who are tired of what Hamas has brought to Gaza. Trump has talked about taking over Gaza and making it a resort destination that will support its citizens and attract tourists and economic opportunity. Whatever the plan, Hamas has proved that they cannot be part of the answer. If the world will not support such a plan, it’s now time for Israel to take back control of Gaza.
Terry Paulson is a PhD psychologist, professional speaker, and author of The Optimism Advantage and his new political novel, The Summit. Contact him at terry@terrypaulson.com.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member