The Orange Hammer Threatens Hamas: The Biden Administration Is Ending and the Change Can Already Be Felt
Published in Israel Hayom
(Israel) on 4 December 2024
by Amnon Lord (link to original)
(Israel) on 4 December 2024
by Amnon Lord (link to original)
Translated from
by Charles Railey.
Edited by Michelle Bisson.
Even before he lands in the White House, there are already some developments linked to Trump’s victory. For example, there is a cease-fire in Lebanon which Israel feels free to enforce itself. The day before yesterday, Trump announced that Hamas would be hit with “something from hell” if they do not release the hostages by Jan. 20. This threat by Trump also impacts Putin, who has maintained a yearslong cooperation with Hamas and could now apply pressure to release the hostages.
As the great Douglas Murray said: On Jan. 20, in another six weeks, the orange, powerful hammer will land and everything will change. Even before he lands, the different parts of the puzzle are arranging themselves in order to be located in the best position. There are already a number of developments linked to his victory. For example, everything that Israel is doing is receiving an additional force multiplier. There is a cease-fire in Lebanon which Israel feels free to enforce itself.
One of the constraints in the fighting against Hezbollah was the feeling that, during the Joe Biden administration, there was no way to finish the war. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also feels the change and in Ukraine, they are expecting steps that will bring the war to an end. The Iranians canceled plans against Israel and, the day before yesterday, the orange hammer announced to Hamas that they would be hit with “something from hell” if they do not free the hostages by Jan. 20.
As long as Biden was president, Hamas had a lifeline. The American administration’s actions contributed to its survival, served the delegitimization campaign in the world, and delayed the supply of equipment for the war. Trump will cut the lifeline to Hamas.
This threat by Trump is also impacting Vladimir Putin, who maintains a yearslong partnership with Hamas and can exert pressure to release the hostages. If he does this, it is probable that elements in Israel will hurry to grant him international legitimacy, but in exchange for what? From Israel’s perspective, it is desirable that the release of the hostages is separate from other dimensions of the war — security arrangements and the question of ruling in Gaza. This requires that all the hostages are released alive in one tranche while Israel’s concessions are spaced out over a period of time.
A survey by the Israeli Institute of Democracy shows that close to half of the Jewish public in Israel supports a solution with a military administration in Gaza. In the context of pressure on Hamas, efforts are now being made for the Israeli Defense Force to control the distribution of supplies in Gaza. This is currently Hamas’ primary instrument of control. The question of who will control Gaza remains unclear, and it must be separated from the issue of the release of hostages.
As the great Douglas Murray said: On Jan. 20, in another six weeks, the orange, powerful hammer will land and everything will change. Even before he lands, the different parts of the puzzle are arranging themselves in order to be located in the best position. There are already a number of developments linked to his victory. For example, everything that Israel is doing is receiving an additional force multiplier. There is a cease-fire in Lebanon which Israel feels free to enforce itself.
One of the constraints in the fighting against Hezbollah was the feeling that, during the Joe Biden administration, there was no way to finish the war. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also feels the change and in Ukraine, they are expecting steps that will bring the war to an end. The Iranians canceled plans against Israel and, the day before yesterday, the orange hammer announced to Hamas that they would be hit with “something from hell” if they do not free the hostages by Jan. 20.
As long as Biden was president, Hamas had a lifeline. The American administration’s actions contributed to its survival, served the delegitimization campaign in the world, and delayed the supply of equipment for the war. Trump will cut the lifeline to Hamas.
This threat by Trump is also impacting Vladimir Putin, who maintains a yearslong partnership with Hamas and can exert pressure to release the hostages. If he does this, it is probable that elements in Israel will hurry to grant him international legitimacy, but in exchange for what? From Israel’s perspective, it is desirable that the release of the hostages is separate from other dimensions of the war — security arrangements and the question of ruling in Gaza. This requires that all the hostages are released alive in one tranche while Israel’s concessions are spaced out over a period of time.
A survey by the Israeli Institute of Democracy shows that close to half of the Jewish public in Israel supports a solution with a military administration in Gaza. In the context of pressure on Hamas, efforts are now being made for the Israeli Defense Force to control the distribution of supplies in Gaza. This is currently Hamas’ primary instrument of control. The question of who will control Gaza remains unclear, and it must be separated from the issue of the release of hostages.
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