Bolton: Israel will use the truce period to prepare for the next phase of war (Reuters)

Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton said that the exchange deal between Hamas and Israel has costs and benefits, and it seems that the Palestinians will make the most of the gains.

He explained in an article in the British newspaper "Telegraph" that although the release of Israeli victims of the seventh of October is commendable, but there are right and wrong ways to do it, there are costs and there are benefits, and here it seems that Hamas has achieved a great victory.

"It remains unclear whether the deal sets a final negative precedent for Israel, but it casts doubt on whether it will achieve its legitimate goal of eliminating the terrorist threat posed by Hamas."

Bolton noted that for Israel, the deal is "fatally" flawed in many respects, even if it is implemented flawlessly. He explained that Israel would use the truce period to prepare for the next phase of the war, rotation and resupply of troops and the like.

He said Hamas would use the break to regroup in preparation for the next Israeli offensive and launch more surprise attacks. "How many Israeli soldiers will die because Hamas is given an opportunity to set additional traps and strengthen itself?" Bolton asked.

He described the U.S. and Israel's agreement to suspend Gaza air traffic surveillance for six hours a day during the truce period as a more important concession than the truce itself because it deprives Israel of information about Hamas activities during this period.

Bolton argued that the critical military problem Israel would face was the opportunities it would miss if it stopped its offensive halfway.

He pointed out that Hamas's strategy is to take any temporary pause, no matter how short it may be, whatever its justification, and extend it to a permanent ceasefire, "and this may not happen from the first attempt, but the pressure on Israel to surrender will increase."

Bolton concluded by saying that the critical political danger Israel faces is to undermine its determination to eliminate Hamas. Even more dangerous is the strength of American support, which is already weakening.

On Friday, Hamas released 13 Israeli hostages held in Gaza, while Israel released 39 prisoners in its prisons, on the first day of a truce agreement that allowed for calm and the entry of additional aid into the Strip after weeks of aggression on the Gaza Strip. Those released from Israel and Gaza are women and children.

Source: Telegraph