Stop living in la-la land: Only the IDF can curb Israel’s enemies – opinion

Israelis have strong reasons to doubt American-proposed plans aimed at achieving peace on the country's southern and northern borders, according to this opinion piece. The article contends that deeply entrenched, well-equipped, Iranian-backed terrorist organizations, specifically Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, pose a significant threat.

While acknowledging some credit for American diplomacy, particularly Jared Kushner's team, in facilitating hostage releases, the author dismisses the current peace proposals as "dreamy-delicious" and potentially "hallucinatory." The plans envision Hamas being stripped of its weapons and Gaza demilitarized by an international force, with Hamas rule replaced by a vetted technocratic government. Similarly, Hezbollah is expected to be decommissioned or driven out of southern Lebanon by the Lebanese Armed Forces, overseen by international observers.

However, both Hamas and Hezbollah have publicly denied any intention to disarm and have not abandoned their stated goal of destroying Israel. The article questions the willingness and capability of any presumed peacekeepers, observers, or stabilizers to militarily confront these groups. It asserts that these international forces would "never ever" engage Hamas and Hezbollah militarily.

Furthermore, the piece criticizes the US-led "Board of Peace" for already backtracking on commitments made to Israel in a previous 20-point plan. Specifically, it points to a deviation from the original plan's commitment to "destroy and not rebuild" Hamas's infrastructure and "permanently" confiscate its weapons.