Required: Leadership Courage

Avi Shilon calls for a public debate on the 'Peace Council' plan to replace Hamas rule in Gaza, backed by the US. He criticizes politicians who avoid decision-making, noting Israel holds 52% of the Strip without rehabilitation for residents. Shilon supports a gradual withdrawal even before full disarmament of Hamas, to advance a political process and restore Israel's international standing.

In an opinion column published on ynet, Avi Shilon argues that Israel may miss the opportunity to realize victory in Gaza: replacing Hamas rule, clearing the Strip of dangerous weapons, and beginning a new era. He notes that for the first time, a concrete plan has been published by the 'Peace Council', supported by the US and other countries, to replace Hamas rule and rehabilitate the Strip. The plan is based on a simple principle: Hamas disarms and places its weapons under the custody of a technocratic government, in exchange for a gradual IDF withdrawal. The final result should be a Palestinian government without Hamas, demilitarized under international supervision. Shilon calls for a public debate and for hearing the views of prime ministerial candidates, and criticizes Netanyahu for not presenting the plan as an achievement, which indicates a preference for maintaining the status quo, where Israel holds 52% of the Strip. He discusses whether Israel will be willing to withdraw in parallel with disarmament or before it, noting that although full disarmament is preferable, experience shows things are more complex. He argues that it will be easier to disarm Hamas during a gradual withdrawal and rehabilitation, and that Gazans will understand that Hamas is the delaying factor. In conclusion, he calls for leadership courage and a willingness for gradual withdrawal even before full disarmament, to advance the process and restore Israel's international standing.