The IDF will win this battle, Hamas will win the propaganda war, and much of the world will punish Israel for achieving yet another military victory against a brutal and barbaric terror group.
This operation to move forward is clearly the only alternative. Israel’s survival is at stake. Losing members of the IDF to this cancerous presence is a bitter reality. The bleak prospect of even more international condemnation is, frankly, enfuriating.
It is grievous that any excuse no matter how minor is seized upon. Israel needs to know that countless supporters around the globe are praying for their victory. Let them know that government leaders do not reflect many citizens perspective, even love for Israel.
Thank you for this incisive analysis and commentary. I can assure you I'll be following the strategy and tactics on the part of both the IDF and Hamas and hope that the outcome serves the Jewish state well.
Israel is winning militarily but needs to get serious about the propaganda war. Too many idiots around the world are swallowing Muslim and left wing disinformation whole hog. If I were Netanyahu I’d be targeting sources of money that are flowing to these hateful Astro turf protest groups, one way or another
Like all good armchair generals the author is analyzing and fighting the last war not the present one so his insights sound very profound because after all who can argue with history? I remember not so long ago that the same sort of hopelessness was expressed about fighting the war with Hezbollah and look what happened there! Only a fool makes predictions about the outcome of wars. There are times in all wars when the situation looks hopeless and then may turn out not to be. The former soldier who has written this piece is very clever but he has told us nothing about Hamas that we don’t already know. The IDF made some mistakes at the beginning of this war but now is under new and much better leadership. I am sure that the IDF knows better than the author what they are getting into with the present ground offensive in Gaza City and also how best to deal with it and after they have defeated Hamas they will know how to deal with the “day after” or more likely years after whatever the case may be. The morale of the IDF soldiers is very high. Pray for the remaining hostages—Israel has done and will continue to do everything it can to save them.
Since Hamas and it's international supporters WANT a psyop campaign to weaken or destroy Israel then the IDF and the government really have no choice but to clear the Strip. Yes, this is a response to October 7th and rocket attacks where the best of the worst options must be selected but does Israel desire Hamas to survive in Gaza? Despite all this carnage, I'm impressed that Israel is working hard to become more self-reliant despite these constant efforts by Moslems to destroy Éretz Yisra'él. Jews, hang tough!
If terrorists don’t stop terrorizing, this is the only option! Thank you Israel for protecting the world… hoping someday the world appreciates your power and sacrifice rather than criticizes!
It’s not just the Muslims who are trying to destroy Israel. Shame on the Euros for being pawns of the Muslims just for votes. Europe is fast becoming an Islamist state.
However, clearing the Gazans out would be considered “ethnic cleansing”. But, since all of Gaza is or will be destroyed, (i.e. infrastructure, housing, and, of course, destroying the tunnels), where are the Gazans going to live?
The Arab world will need to take them in for at least a temporary basis until they can return back to Gaza. Yeah, good luck getting any other Arab country to take them. They understand who these people are.
Let em’ go to Europe, the Euros are just getting used to Sharia law.
Gaza needs to be Arab free for there to be peace in Israel. One way tickets to the far reaches of the Muslim world is the fate that the radicalized population needs and deserves. Throw them all out, wave goodbye, bulldoze the rubble into the Mediterranean, and build the newest part of Eretz Israel.
I found this article not only sobering, but actually demoralizing. Let’s hope it doesn’t get into the hands of our idf soldiers. I question the wisdom of publishing this in a Jewish journal at this time. It was utterly depressing.
Just curious Herbert, could you elaborate on what you would’ve changed here?
No one likes a slap in the face, but sometimes it is necessary to wake a person up, or jolt them back into action from fear-driven paralysis. Sometimes, a look at cold, hard reality, helps one understand just how desperate one’s situation is, and it is what comes next that makes all the difference in the world.
If one is an atheistic materialist, then demoralization is probably going to follow such a picture. However, if one is shaken, but then prompted to turn to the true and living God, then courage and conviction of commitment may bring about ‘supernatural’ achievements, and victories.
Sobering analysis but in war and in life there are unpredictable elements which alter the analysis. Much depends on America standing strong with Israel as they follow through on Trump's plan months ago to remove residents from Gaza. Sadly for Israel, Trump is surrounded by associates and supporters who don't support Israel as strongly as Trump, or even at all. Will Melania's sympathy for the hostages be an important factor behind the scenes? Will the Abraham Accords hold or even, pray to G-d, expand due to Trump's influence? Will Palestinian actors adverse to hamas see an opportunity to fight internally against a weakened hamas and do the killing and freeing of hostages on behalf of Israel? Will internal protests and political disputes within Israel cause Israel to end the active stage of this war and consider it a victory that they weakened and effectively neutralized hamas, hezbollah, and Iran? Man plans, predicts, yet all is in G-d's hands.
The current commander of Hamas, Ezz al-Din al-Haddad, was a mid-level commander until the IDF removed all his superiors. He has reportedly ordered his men to stay and fight in Gaza City; the Peter Principle in action?
Several local clans have taken arms and killed members of Hamas in the last few months in an effort to assert control over parts of the Gaza Strip. This is a point of no return for them, which they would not have dared if they thought Hamas will survive. Israel may have found its local force to police a fragmented Gaza.
The pace of evacuation is quickening, indicating the realization that the IDF really is moving in. It's the beginning of panic.
After the attack on Hamas leaders in Doha, Israel received a toothless verbal condemnation at the Arab Summit and a very supportive visit from US Secretary of State Rubio. This should highlight how little backing Hamas has left now that Hezbollah and Iran are reeling from their recent pounding by the IDF.
Inexperienced commander, population panicking, local forces cooperating with the IDF, lack of external support may lead to faster success.
Hezbollah was the main armed force that Hamas could expect help from. Iran was the principal weapons supplier and had also trained groups of Hamas fighters in Iran.
Gaza must be levelled, every member of Hamas destroyed, the Palestinians who remain must be used to get at every Hamas member, no reconstruction except labor by the Gazans as Israel takes over the strip, and the Gazans encouraged to leave by all means (ask Kuweit for advice if you don't know how); they can go wherever, it makes no difference, and for those who remain, super strict control with death penalties for infringement of public order and reprisals against families of transgressors. And NO international assistance to Gaza in any form will be permitted. Gazans will learn to work for a living.
A masterful analysis of Israel’s offensive in Gaza City and what it will likely entail! It’s unfortunate that the Gaza City offensive is not going to lead to the destruction of Hamas or the end of the war. No hostages are more likely to be rescued. I still pray nonetheless, for its success and that Hamas will take significant damage. I think Israel could’ve been victorious in the war long ago had the international community not handcuffed them and kept up with their ridiculous demands for peace negotiations none of which of course, went anywhere. I think the IDF also should’ve fought a counter-insurgency war not a conventional war. If Israel wants to achieve a decisive victory, they must switch up their strategy.
You talked about their not being any good options for Israel in Gaza, I think there is only one solution to ensure Gaza will never again be a problem for the Jewish state, Israel must annex Gaza. They must open it up for settlement again and allow any of those who were removed in 2005 to return. A Governor-General should be appointed to run the strip who’d report directly to the Prime Minister. The strip must be rebuilt as well as demilitarized, deradicalized and de-Hamasified. All Gazans should receive Israeli citizenship and representation in the Knesset. Any of Hamas’ remaining leaders and members should be sent into exile. Israel should train a Gazan Army and Police Force who would help the IDF keep order.
Who cares what the world community will allow. Israel wasn't established in order for the Jewish people to still be at the mercy of a hostile world. Israel must relocate the population of Gaza and resettle them into other arab nations. Other populations have been forcibly transferred as we know with the Germans in the Sudetenland and the muslims and Hindus when Pakistan was established. The fact that the world opposes this solution in the case of Gaza is because they want them to remain in Gaza to be a festering problem for Israel. They don't care about Gazans; they are useful only to be weaponized against Israel for its eventual destruction. So, the world does not actually want to improve their lot and resettle them for better lives elsewhere.
I do hope your vision is incorrect. I pray it is incorrect. I hope the desire of the moderate Arabs to also rid the Mid East of all terrorism and get moving on the New Middle East plans will provide a very different outcome than you describe.
This operation to move forward is clearly the only alternative. Israel’s survival is at stake. Losing members of the IDF to this cancerous presence is a bitter reality. The bleak prospect of even more international condemnation is, frankly, enfuriating.
It is grievous that any excuse no matter how minor is seized upon. Israel needs to know that countless supporters around the globe are praying for their victory. Let them know that government leaders do not reflect many citizens perspective, even love for Israel.
🎯
Thanks.
Thank you for this truthful account. 🙏
He's always negative.
Thank you for this incisive analysis and commentary. I can assure you I'll be following the strategy and tactics on the part of both the IDF and Hamas and hope that the outcome serves the Jewish state well.
Hard headed analysis. I hope the iDF has some old fashioned luck in saving the hostages.
Israel is winning militarily but needs to get serious about the propaganda war. Too many idiots around the world are swallowing Muslim and left wing disinformation whole hog. If I were Netanyahu I’d be targeting sources of money that are flowing to these hateful Astro turf protest groups, one way or another
Qatar is a prime culprit.
🎯
Like all good armchair generals the author is analyzing and fighting the last war not the present one so his insights sound very profound because after all who can argue with history? I remember not so long ago that the same sort of hopelessness was expressed about fighting the war with Hezbollah and look what happened there! Only a fool makes predictions about the outcome of wars. There are times in all wars when the situation looks hopeless and then may turn out not to be. The former soldier who has written this piece is very clever but he has told us nothing about Hamas that we don’t already know. The IDF made some mistakes at the beginning of this war but now is under new and much better leadership. I am sure that the IDF knows better than the author what they are getting into with the present ground offensive in Gaza City and also how best to deal with it and after they have defeated Hamas they will know how to deal with the “day after” or more likely years after whatever the case may be. The morale of the IDF soldiers is very high. Pray for the remaining hostages—Israel has done and will continue to do everything it can to save them.
Thank you for a bit of hope.
Since Hamas and it's international supporters WANT a psyop campaign to weaken or destroy Israel then the IDF and the government really have no choice but to clear the Strip. Yes, this is a response to October 7th and rocket attacks where the best of the worst options must be selected but does Israel desire Hamas to survive in Gaza? Despite all this carnage, I'm impressed that Israel is working hard to become more self-reliant despite these constant efforts by Moslems to destroy Éretz Yisra'él. Jews, hang tough!
If terrorists don’t stop terrorizing, this is the only option! Thank you Israel for protecting the world… hoping someday the world appreciates your power and sacrifice rather than criticizes!
It’s not just the Muslims who are trying to destroy Israel. Shame on the Euros for being pawns of the Muslims just for votes. Europe is fast becoming an Islamist state.
However, clearing the Gazans out would be considered “ethnic cleansing”. But, since all of Gaza is or will be destroyed, (i.e. infrastructure, housing, and, of course, destroying the tunnels), where are the Gazans going to live?
The Arab world will need to take them in for at least a temporary basis until they can return back to Gaza. Yeah, good luck getting any other Arab country to take them. They understand who these people are.
Let em’ go to Europe, the Euros are just getting used to Sharia law.
Agree with your post. Regardless of what any other country does the Moslems ARE the driving force behind it all.
Gaza needs to be Arab free for there to be peace in Israel. One way tickets to the far reaches of the Muslim world is the fate that the radicalized population needs and deserves. Throw them all out, wave goodbye, bulldoze the rubble into the Mediterranean, and build the newest part of Eretz Israel.
I found this article not only sobering, but actually demoralizing. Let’s hope it doesn’t get into the hands of our idf soldiers. I question the wisdom of publishing this in a Jewish journal at this time. It was utterly depressing.
Just curious Herbert, could you elaborate on what you would’ve changed here?
No one likes a slap in the face, but sometimes it is necessary to wake a person up, or jolt them back into action from fear-driven paralysis. Sometimes, a look at cold, hard reality, helps one understand just how desperate one’s situation is, and it is what comes next that makes all the difference in the world.
If one is an atheistic materialist, then demoralization is probably going to follow such a picture. However, if one is shaken, but then prompted to turn to the true and living God, then courage and conviction of commitment may bring about ‘supernatural’ achievements, and victories.
Am Israel Chai!
Sobering analysis but in war and in life there are unpredictable elements which alter the analysis. Much depends on America standing strong with Israel as they follow through on Trump's plan months ago to remove residents from Gaza. Sadly for Israel, Trump is surrounded by associates and supporters who don't support Israel as strongly as Trump, or even at all. Will Melania's sympathy for the hostages be an important factor behind the scenes? Will the Abraham Accords hold or even, pray to G-d, expand due to Trump's influence? Will Palestinian actors adverse to hamas see an opportunity to fight internally against a weakened hamas and do the killing and freeing of hostages on behalf of Israel? Will internal protests and political disputes within Israel cause Israel to end the active stage of this war and consider it a victory that they weakened and effectively neutralized hamas, hezbollah, and Iran? Man plans, predicts, yet all is in G-d's hands.
The current commander of Hamas, Ezz al-Din al-Haddad, was a mid-level commander until the IDF removed all his superiors. He has reportedly ordered his men to stay and fight in Gaza City; the Peter Principle in action?
Several local clans have taken arms and killed members of Hamas in the last few months in an effort to assert control over parts of the Gaza Strip. This is a point of no return for them, which they would not have dared if they thought Hamas will survive. Israel may have found its local force to police a fragmented Gaza.
The pace of evacuation is quickening, indicating the realization that the IDF really is moving in. It's the beginning of panic.
After the attack on Hamas leaders in Doha, Israel received a toothless verbal condemnation at the Arab Summit and a very supportive visit from US Secretary of State Rubio. This should highlight how little backing Hamas has left now that Hezbollah and Iran are reeling from their recent pounding by the IDF.
Inexperienced commander, population panicking, local forces cooperating with the IDF, lack of external support may lead to faster success.
Ezz al-Din al-Haddad was not a mid-level commander. He was an intimate of Sinwar’s. He has long commanded the Gaza City sector for Hamas.
Hezbollah/Iran were never the main backers of Hamas. It has always been Qatar/Turkey.
Hezbollah was the main armed force that Hamas could expect help from. Iran was the principal weapons supplier and had also trained groups of Hamas fighters in Iran.
PS more on decision of Ezz al-Din al-Haddad to keep his men fighting in Gaza City:
https://www.jns.org/last-hamas-commander-said-to-be-dug-in-in-gaza-city-ahead-of-idf-assault/
Gaza must be levelled, every member of Hamas destroyed, the Palestinians who remain must be used to get at every Hamas member, no reconstruction except labor by the Gazans as Israel takes over the strip, and the Gazans encouraged to leave by all means (ask Kuweit for advice if you don't know how); they can go wherever, it makes no difference, and for those who remain, super strict control with death penalties for infringement of public order and reprisals against families of transgressors. And NO international assistance to Gaza in any form will be permitted. Gazans will learn to work for a living.
A masterful analysis of Israel’s offensive in Gaza City and what it will likely entail! It’s unfortunate that the Gaza City offensive is not going to lead to the destruction of Hamas or the end of the war. No hostages are more likely to be rescued. I still pray nonetheless, for its success and that Hamas will take significant damage. I think Israel could’ve been victorious in the war long ago had the international community not handcuffed them and kept up with their ridiculous demands for peace negotiations none of which of course, went anywhere. I think the IDF also should’ve fought a counter-insurgency war not a conventional war. If Israel wants to achieve a decisive victory, they must switch up their strategy.
You talked about their not being any good options for Israel in Gaza, I think there is only one solution to ensure Gaza will never again be a problem for the Jewish state, Israel must annex Gaza. They must open it up for settlement again and allow any of those who were removed in 2005 to return. A Governor-General should be appointed to run the strip who’d report directly to the Prime Minister. The strip must be rebuilt as well as demilitarized, deradicalized and de-Hamasified. All Gazans should receive Israeli citizenship and representation in the Knesset. Any of Hamas’ remaining leaders and members should be sent into exile. Israel should train a Gazan Army and Police Force who would help the IDF keep order.
This would be Oslo 2.0 . When we trained the PA and gave them rifles, how did that turn out?
NO GAZANS should receive Israeli citizenship. They will be guest workers if they behave, dead if they do not; and all encouraged to leave.
Who cares what the world community will allow. Israel wasn't established in order for the Jewish people to still be at the mercy of a hostile world. Israel must relocate the population of Gaza and resettle them into other arab nations. Other populations have been forcibly transferred as we know with the Germans in the Sudetenland and the muslims and Hindus when Pakistan was established. The fact that the world opposes this solution in the case of Gaza is because they want them to remain in Gaza to be a festering problem for Israel. They don't care about Gazans; they are useful only to be weaponized against Israel for its eventual destruction. So, the world does not actually want to improve their lot and resettle them for better lives elsewhere.
Gaza deserve as much sympathy as Berlin got in April 1945.
I do hope your vision is incorrect. I pray it is incorrect. I hope the desire of the moderate Arabs to also rid the Mid East of all terrorism and get moving on the New Middle East plans will provide a very different outcome than you describe.