Israel Must Annex Gaza: The Only Path to Stability

 For decades, Israel has been trapped in a cycle of war, withdrawal, and restraint. Each time it concedes territory for peace, it receives only bloodshed in return. The 2005 disengagement from Gaza was the ultimate test of this failed strategy. Israel handed over complete control of the territory, removed every last Jewish resident, and in response, received Hamas, a terrorist statelet that has transformed Gaza into a launchpad for endless attacks.

The events of October 7, 2023, shattered any remaining illusions. Hamas’ barbaric massacre demonstrated that Israel cannot afford to tolerate a hostile, armed regime on its borders. The world’s demand for a ceasefire ignores a simple reality: As long as Hamas exists, there will be no peace. The only solution is permanent Israeli control.

The Failure of Palestinian Self-Governance

Gaza has proven beyond doubt that Palestinian self-rule leads not to prosperity but to terror. When Israel withdrew, it left behind infrastructure, greenhouses, and the framework for economic development. Hamas chose instead to divert resources toward building tunnels and rockets. The Palestinian Authority, where it rules in the West Bank, is no better, corrupt, weak, and unwilling to confront terrorism. Why should anyone expect different results from yet another experiment in Palestinian statehood?

The Moral Case for Annexation

Opponents argue that annexation would be an act of oppression. But what is the alternative? To allow Hamas to continue its reign of terror? To leave 2.2 million people at the mercy of jihadist rulers? Israeli control may be the only path to a livable future for Gazans themselves. Under Israeli rule, Arabs within Israel enjoy more rights, prosperity, and stability than their counterparts in any Arab state. A responsible Israeli administration could dismantle Hamas, restore order, and create conditions for real economic and social improvement.

The Security Imperative

Hamas’ existence in Gaza is an existential threat to Israel. The group has made its intentions clear: not peaceful coexistence, but genocide. The only way to ensure Israel’s security is to eliminate Hamas entirely. But that is not enough, without permanent control, another terrorist entity will simply rise in its place. Annexation means full Israeli sovereignty, military presence, and governance, ensuring that Gaza can never again be used as a staging ground for attacks.

The International Objections Are Hypocritical

The world will cry out against annexation. It will claim Israel is violating international law. But where were these voices when Hamas was stockpiling weapons in schools and hospitals? Where were they when rockets rained down on Israeli civilians? The global outcry is not about legality or morality; it is about maintaining a status quo that lets Hamas continue its terror. Israel must reject these double standards and act in its own interest.

The Path Forward

Annexation will not be easy. It will require a military campaign to dismantle Hamas completely. It will require governance, infrastructure, and long-term planning. But it is the only realistic solution. A perpetual cycle of war and ceasefires is not sustainable. Temporary military victories will never be enough. The only way to guarantee Israel’s security and bring stability to Gaza is full Israeli control.

Israel must do what is necessary, not what is popular. Gaza must be annexed.