Former security head says a 60-day truce delaying Gaza op could double IDF casualties

“If we go into Gaza now, the price is 100 killed; if we wait another 60 days, the price will be 200,” he said. “Hamas will have more time to prepare itself.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror, former head of Israel’s National Security Council, warned that delaying the Israel Defense Forces’ planned invasion of Gaza City or agreeing to a 60-day ceasefire would cost far more Israeli lives.

Speaking Wednesday in an interview with Geula Even Saar and Nissim Mishal on 103FM, Amidror referred to a recent military assessment estimating that the battle for Gaza City could result in about 100 IDF fatalities. He argued that halting operations now would only strengthen Hamas.

“If we go into Gaza now, the price is 100 killed; if we wait another 60 days, the price will be 200,” he said. “Hamas will have more time to prepare itself.” Amidror insisted that immediate action was crucial, stressing that delay would double the human toll on Israeli soldiers.

He also addressed Israel’s broader strategic calculations, particularly regarding a possible hostage deal. According to Amidror, Washington’s stance will heavily influence Israel’s choices.

“I have seen that negotiations are being conducted with both the Egyptians and the Qataris,” he said. “What matters greatly is the Americans’ position. If the Americans quietly tell us, ‘drop everything, move now on Gaza,’ that is one thing. Or they tell us, ‘let’s go now for a partial deal, perhaps in these 60 days we can achieve something.’”

Amidror noted that US messaging has been deliberately ambiguous. “They are speaking in favor of a comprehensive deal,” he said, “but does it go through a war in Gaza City, or does it go through a stage in the deal?” He added that Israel lacks crucial information about what Washington is truly demanding, remarking, “For once, there are no leaks.”

In a separate interview, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that Israel would not abandon its objective of removing Hamas, even if a truce or hostage arrangement is reached. “We’re going to do that anyway,” he said. Netanyahu added that the war “could end today” if Hamas laid down its weapons and freed the hostages, emphasizing his goal to “free Gaza from Hamas tyranny” and ensure security for both Israelis and Palestinians.