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Israel Throws Off the Shackles
(Wall Street Journal) Editorial - The six-week Gaza ceasefire ended on Saturday. Israel didn't return to war Sunday, meaning Hamas is getting free days of quiet without releasing more hostages. But U.S. and Israeli pressure is increasing. In phase one, Israel ransomed 33 hostages for nearly 2,000 terrorists and security prisoners, and withdrew from most of Gaza. The deal's terms, affirmed by the U.S., give Israel the right to resume fighting. Israel backed the proposal of Trump envoy Steve Witkoff to keep trading terrorists for hostages, and at a faster pace, without the strategic concessions of phase two. Hamas rejected it. It is down to 59 hostages, including as many as two dozen of them alive. To prompt Hamas to reconsider, Prime Minister Netanyahu has chosen an intermediate step. "In light of Hamas's refusal to accept the Witkoff outline," he said Sunday, "we have decided to prevent any entry of goods and supplies into Gaza." This is what President Biden promised at the start of the war. On Oct. 18, 2023, Mr. Biden said aid would enter Gaza "based on the understanding that there will be inspections and that the aid should go to civilians, not to Hamas. Let me be clear. If Hamas diverts or steals the assistance, they will have demonstrated once again that they have no concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people, and it will end." Yet Mr. Biden sanctioned an Israeli protest group that opposed the aid, and kept pressuring Israel to send more, no matter how much Hamas stole. This let Hamas control Gaza's people despite its losses. An Israeli siege means time is no longer on Hamas's side. Israel flooded Gaza with aid during the deal, and it estimates Gaza is stocked for several months. The determination to cut off Hamas's supply and control of new aid is a signal that Israel will no longer play with one arm tied behind its back.