Former IDF negotiator says Israel could have ended Gaza war, freed hostages a year earlier

Former IDF negotiator Maj.-Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon argues that Israel could have ended the Gaza war and returned the hostages a year earlier. During a Washington Institute for Near East Policy panel, Alon stated that different decisions could have saved thousands of lives on both sides. He believes that some of the hostages who were killed or held captive might have returned alive to their families.

Alon made these remarks during a discussion moderated by David Makovsky, focused on the three-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks. He emphasized that the war was too long and that strategic objectives could have been achieved much earlier. Alon stressed that he is not analyzing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's motivations, but acknowledges that political leaders are influenced by strategic, ideological, and personal considerations.

He believes that the war could and should have been shortened, bringing back all the hostages, possibly within a year, and that some of the hostages who died during captivity might have lived. Alon also addressed the tension between destroying Hamas and returning the hostages, arguing that strategic achievements were not materially different if the war had ended earlier.

He noted that Hamas still controls Gaza, but not with the same level of power. Alon expressed hope that post-election, Israel would recognize the limitations of military force and the necessity of diplomatic measures to address security challenges.