"Let them deal with Egypt": A plan to cut Israel off from the Gaza Strip

Hamas economy researcher Eyal Ofer spoke on Wednesday with Erel Segal and Eyal Berkovic on their 103FM program regarding the future of the Gaza Strip and the solution he believes Israel should promote.

Ofer claimed: "In Gaza, they continue to sell dreams and are de facto establishing a Palestinian state. There are three main dreamers: Kushner and Witkoff, who sell us a vision of Gaza City and high-tech; Smotrich and Strock, who sell us a dream of Israeli settlement; and Netanyahu, who sells a dream of demilitarizing Gaza and destroying Hamas. All Israeli politicians continue to sell the same dream, as if Hamas has disappeared."

Berkovic replied: "Why all the politicians? There is a prime minister, ministers, and a Chief of Staff. What is the influence of Yair Golan and Eisenkot?"

Ofer said: "We need to look broadly and long-term. It is clear that Gaza is not a significant military threat. Israel must prevent the connection of Gaza to the West Bank, as our great security danger is in the West Bank. Furthermore, the campaign against Israel is not in Gaza but in Western countries; we are an outcast country because of our treatment of Gaza."

When asked for a solution, Ofer replied: "The solution must address the ideology of the Gazans. There is an ideological infrastructure there that must be rehabilitated long before building physical infrastructure. Responsibility lies with Arab countries, particularly Egypt. Israel must stop being the pipeline of resources to Gaza and close Kerem Shalom. Gaza's economic connection should be with Egypt."

Segal noted: "The Egyptians do not agree, and the world blames Israel." Ofer responded: "It is not a question of what the Egyptians are interested in. To avoid being blamed for restricting goods, we must declare Gaza a border of a hostile political entity. Israel must remove its responsibility and clarify that the problem in Gaza is an ideological infrastructure that wants to destroy Israel."

Berkovic suggested: "Gaza is 60% under our control, and the rest is in ruins. What is the problem with staying like this? If they throw a rocket, we bomb them from the air. There is no security risk from them now."

Ofer agreed, adding: "We must clarify to the world not to put billions into Gaza because as long as the ideological infrastructure exists, Israel will destroy any physical infrastructure. The world is against us because we are perceived as having committed genocide."

Ofer concluded: "For 20 years, we have been seen as those who keep Gazans in prison, so October 7th is perceived as a breakout. Instead of speaking in terms of 'siege,' Israel needs to say, 'We are giving Gazans freedom,' close our border, stay in the security perimeter, but let them deal with Egypt."