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"Finishing the Job" in Gaza: What It Means and What It Takes

(X) Maj. (ret.) John Spencer - Hamas has refused to negotiate the return of hostages or discuss disarmament. President Trump recently said, "It got to a point where you're gonna have to finish the job." But what does "finishing the job" in Gaza actually mean? Global recognition of Israel's legitimate and just war objectives must be the starting point. Many voices calling for an immediate ceasefire argue that the war can end without removing Hamas's military capabilities or political power. That position is fundamentally flawed. Any resolution that allows Hamas to retain power, even partially, ensures that the group will rebuild and repeat this cycle of violence in the future. Only the full military and political removal of Hamas from Gaza can create the conditions necessary for peace. Humanitarian assistance must be delivered through mechanisms that do not rely on or empower Hamas. By restoring food access outside of Hamas control, Israel helps shift civilian reliance away from Hamas's shadow governance. While headlines often focus on warnings of famine, more food is now flowing into Gaza. Hundreds of UN aid trucks are being distributed daily. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) continues to deliver up to two million meals a day across four sites. It has also established a system that allows approved groups to pick up aid and deliver it to the most vulnerable areas. The Israel Defense Forces will continue to enter contested areas to systematically target Hamas fighters, dismantle Hamas infrastructure, and clear Gaza of their military presence. This is a slow, deliberate, and dangerous process involving close-quarters combat and tunnel detection and destruction. This cannot and should not be rushed. This is not a call for a forever war in Gaza. This is a clear-eyed statement of what it will take to take the guns from Hamas. This is the essential first step. Before anything meaningful can be built, the threat must be removed. Once areas are cleared of Hamas, Israel can begin to explore what force will provide security, and which Palestinian actors can help stabilize areas. But none of that is possible if Hamas remains intact. The writer is chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point.
2025-07-27 00:00:00
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