With the presence of President Donald Trump in the White House, experts indicate that Israel is now able to operate with less limitations, affecting its military strategies and the potential outcome of the conflict.
A former high-ranking Israeli official expressed to Fox News Digital that the key factor influencing the situation is President Trump. They mentioned that Prime Minister Netanyahu could prolong the conflict for another year, but would be open to negotiating a deal if advised to do so by Trump. There are discussions about implementing a new tactic, which involves dividing Gaza into controlled areas with Israeli oversight on food supplies and civilian movements to exert pressure on Hamas.
According to John Spencer, the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point’s Modern War Institute as quoted by Fox News Digital, the Trump administration has been clear in its stance even before taking office: release all hostages, including American citizens, or Israel will be provided with full support to legally and lawfully conduct its campaign against Hamas with lesser restrictions compared to what was in place during the Biden administration.
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet at the White House in Washington, D.C., Feb. 4, 2025. (REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz)
In a video statement on Tuesday, Netanyahu thanked President Trump for his unwavering support of Israel, “Our alliance with the United States has never been stronger,” he said.
On the battlefield, Israel has expanded its targets beyond Hamas’ military infrastructure to its governmental network.
“The recent strikes, as Israel states, include quite a lot of the governmental side of a terror organization,” Assaf Orion, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute and INSS, told Fox News Digital. However, he said, questions remain about what will follow if Hamas’ governance structure is dismantled.
The hostage situation remains a central issue. While the Israeli government argues that military action is necessary to pressure Hamas into releasing captives, concerns about hostage safety have sparked protests within Israel. Conricus told Fox News Digital, “The risk to hostages has increased. Hamas may execute some in retaliation for Israel’s renewed offensive, but the way I see it, Israel had no choice but to resume military operations after two weeks in which Hamas didn’t release any hostages. Honestly, I’m surprised we’ve waited this long to act.”
Chief of the General Staff LTG Eyal Zamir conducted a field tour in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip. He spoke with soldiers and was presented with defensive preparations and operational plans. (IDF)
Orion acknowledged the complexity of balancing military objectives with hostage negotiations: “There is a clear tension between releasing the hostages, which involves a deal, and eradicating Hamas, which involves fighting. If the hostages are killed, that’s irreversible. An enduring defeat to Hamas, we all understand, is a generational task,” he told Fox News Digital.
Whether Hamas can be fully defeated remains an open question. Spencer believes it to be possible, saying, “Hamas is weaker than ever, with its ability to hold territory and conduct organized military operations severely diminished. However, Israel must commit to holding the ground it clears, or Hamas could regroup and return.”
The outcome of Israel’s renewed campaign will depend not just on military strategy but also on Trump’s political approach. As the former Israeli official noted, if Trump decides to push for negotiations, Netanyahu is likely to follow suit. Until then, Israel appears set to continue its most extensive military operation yet.
