To secure a true endgame, Israel must move beyond the “deterrence” model that collapsed on October 7 and pursue “absolute victory.”
The return of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili’s body marked a cathartic and bittersweet moment for the State of Israel.
The “hostage file” in Gaza is effectively closed, with no living or dead Israelis remaining in the enclave. While this offers a sense of solemn relief and provides a closure to the agonizing national trauma of the last two years, it also marks a dangerous strategic pivot point.
As the primary emotional lever used against the Israeli government by both domestic protesters and international diplomats disappears, Israel now faces an accelerating rush toward “Phase Two” of a U.S.-led reconstruction framework that threatens to “shackle” Israel’s future security.
