Former Shin Bet Chief, Carmi Gillon, stated that the war in Gaza has ended and that the gunfire may cease for a period of up to 5 or 6 years. In an interview with Israeli Channel 12, excerpts of which were published on Thursday, Gillon expressed that the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, received a “strong blow” in this retaliatory war. However, he added that Hamas “will remain the governing body in the sector as long as there is a vacuum and no one to fill it so far.”
Gillon anticipated that the ceasefire, lasting up to 6 years, may be followed by a resumption of rocket fire from Gaza. He stated, “in my opinion, the story of what happened on October 7 will not be repeated,” referring to the surprise attack by the Palestinian resistance on Israeli military sites and settlements in the Gaza envelope as part of the “Al-Aqsa Tempest” operation.
He added, “in my opinion, the war has ended, and the sole reason for the continued presence of the Israeli army in the field is to secure the release of the hostages (Israeli captives in Gaza),” noting that military pressure is the only thing that can bring them back.
Regarding the Israeli failure on last October 7, Gillon, who headed the Shin Bet from 1994 to 1996, said, “No one could have imagined that happening. I have no explanation related to intelligence, and I believe that with the continuation of the fighting and the revelation of more facts about Hamas’ preparations, it becomes clear that the intelligence failure is massive.”
Since last October, the Israeli army has been waging a destructive war on the Gaza Strip, resulting in 27,019 martyrs and 66,139 injuries – most of whom are children and women, according to Palestinian authorities. This has caused unprecedented destruction and a humanitarian catastrophe.
