I’ve been half expecting something like this for a bit. I hadn’t realized about redeployment from the Gaza borders, but it’s just one part of this bigger problem that Netanyahu was making.
Hamas was always going to “Hamas” as it were. I don’t believe there ever can be peace with Hamas (as per Hamas’ own constitution and public statements) but Israel absolutely can increase or decrease the amount of support Hamas can generate. Netanyahu has been more focused on his personal political fortunes rather than the long term health of Israel.
I do think normalizing relations with the surrounding Arab countries is necessary, and Netanyahu has made some progress in this regard, but in the meantime he’s been exploiting the retaliation cycle for short term gain back home.