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Israel Lacks Good Options in the War Against Hamas

(JNS) Jonathan S. Tobin - What are the options facing Israel in Gaza? It can, as most of its ill-wishers demand, give up on the war to destroy Hamas and concede that when the dust settles, it will return to ruling Gaza. The most obvious alternative to that dismal prospect is for Israel to finally go into the last parts of Gaza still under Hamas control, wipe out the terrorists and destroy their last strongholds, removing the threat of additional Oct. 7-style invasions. The downside to that scenario is that this will likely endanger the remaining living hostages and expose the Israel Defense Forces to more attacks and casualties. By choosing to complete the destruction of Hamas, Netanyahu is showing that he understands some basic truths that his critics are choosing to ignore or deny. One is the belief that Israel can improve its image abroad, or answer the lies about its causing starvation in Gaza, by choosing sensible policies. The demonization of Israel began the day after Oct. 7 and illustrates that the claims of "genocide" and "starvation" have nothing to do with Israeli actions. Israel was already being falsely accused of "occupying" Gaza prior to Oct. 7, despite the fact that it had withdrawn every soldier and civilian in 2005. Any decision based on the hope that its image will improve by some act of generosity or appeasement is a dangerous delusion. The second truth is that Hamas will never willingly release all of the hostages. The continued plight of those who remain alive is a festering wound at the heart of the nation. But Hamas will not give them up in exchange for anything but an internationally recognized Palestinian state that will be used as a platform to continue the war against Israel. It is Netanyahu's unenviable job to choose to defend Israel's security. Hanging back and letting Hamas stay where it is, is simply a formula for its eventual return. The terrorists will be right to claim that they have won the war they started, and they will continue it. There's no way to ensure that Gaza doesn't return to being a Hamas fortress without occupying all of it and ensuring that Israel is in charge of its security for the foreseeable future. Israel is choosing the least bad of all the available options.
2025-08-10 00:00:00
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