Netanyahu’s magical thinking regarding Gaza’s annexation, misrepresented as “reoccupation,” is not by any means hegemonic. Haaretz analyst Amos Harel writes in a column posted late Aug. 9 that the expectations Netanyahu projected coming out of last Thursday’s Security Cabinet meeting Aug. 7, and what will actually happen, are two different things. “In practice, the decision’s wording and conditions may delay its implementation by almost two months, if it ever materializes. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir’s reservations against the move are clear,” Harel writes.
“Still, despite the impression Netanyahu’s aides tried to portray, Zamir was not defeated at the meeting. On the contrary, perhaps: there are so many obstacles in the way to the point that, for now, it’s hard to see how Netanyahu can quickly impose his will. Mainly, because in his case, it’s impossible to be sure that this wasn’t some manipulation of everyone involved: the army, far-right ministers, Hamas, and, in particular, the Israeli public.”
Harel says that there are two hurdles that Netanyahu must overcome if he wants to fully occupy Gaza, the first of which is the U.S. demand that he take humanitarian measures—which will take time, and which partly depend on UN organizations which are not subject to Israel’s time table. The second hurdle is the mobilization of an estimated 120,000 to 250,000 reservists, when “the number of reservists reporting for duty is in free fall....”
