Brit Hume Comments That If Hamas Doesn’t Back Down, Israel May Take Actions It Has Avoided for 20 Years

On Monday, Brit Hume expressed concerns on Fox News that Israel may have to change its strategy as the conflict with Hamas continues to unfold. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently approved a significant expansion of military operations against Hamas, including plans to take control of the Gaza Strip and manage humanitarian aid efforts. During his appearance on “Special Report with Brett Baier,” Hume suggested that the options for Israel may be limited as they seek to exert control in Gaza.

“The president clearly wants to make progress toward releasing hostages and addressing the ongoing issues with Hamas,” Hume noted. He reflected on how Israel might be attempting to reestablish their previous control, referencing actions they halted back in 2005. While this earlier approach didn’t stop Hamas from waging violent protests over the perceived occupation, Hume speculated that a return to such tactics might occur.

He described the situation as reaching a critical point, particularly with Iran-backed groups, like the Houthis, escalating their missile attacks. “The U.S. has targeted the Houthis for weeks, claiming significant damage to their infrastructure and weaponry, yet they persist in launching missiles,” Hume remarked. He also pointed out recent attacks, including one near Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, highlighting the escalating nature of the conflict.

In March, reports indicated that Israeli officials planned to meet with U.S. diplomats to explore full occupation options in Gaza. This comes in light of Hamas rejecting two proposals from the U.S. regarding hostages, prompting Israel to resume military actions on March 18. In a related note, former President Trump stated in April that U.S. and Iranian officials would engage in high-level nuclear discussions, following warnings about Iran’s refusal to cooperate. Trump had previously described Gaza as a longstanding “symbol of death and destruction.”