Israelis are not being conditioned to fear Hamas; we are being conditioned to ensure that Hamas, or any group like it, is never again allowed to thrive and embed itself in power.
"One might think that an organization bent on survival would at least consider how its actions play among its own supporters. And yet, Hamas continues to demonstrate a remarkable ability to alienate not only Israel and the broader international community but also its own people and regional allies."
Beg to differ. Hamas is playing to its audience, the Gazan, Judean, and Samarian Arabs. The goal is to show more than that they have not been defeated or even diminished by Israel. It is to show that as the victors they deserve to be the leaders of all the local Arabs, i.e. self denominated Palestinians.
Puck - I have a terrible feeling that you are correct. They are milking the media coverage, celebrating and parading in the streets as if they have won the war. I believe that they knew that they would never win the war. It was never their intention to win. They still have 2,142 million Gazans to use as cannon fodder. The more they lose, the more they win - their supporters are lapping it up and every bit of news footage and reporting paints Israel as an evil murderous regime. When a war is unwinnable, like this shit-show, we should "CRY HAVOC and let slip the dogs of war". By this I mean unleash hell. Am Yisrael Chai!
The only solution to this problem is to eliminate Hamas, no matter the collatoral damage. Once the hostages are out, Israel needs to reduce Gaza to rubble and forcibly remove it’s residents to Egypt or Jordan. Jordan did that to the Jews in 1948. Israel can do it in 2025. Once Gaza and the West Bank are emptied of Palestinians and they are returned to their own country (Jordan), Israel should annex the West Bank and Gaza and dare any country to take it away from them. The time to play nice to the UN and the rest of the anti-semitic world is long gone.
exactly. The people who are fine with the brutal massacre and call it "resistance," the people who tore down hostage photos of children, that shout "intifada now"---they think it is all just fine and will continue to support them.
In the end, why care what the rest of the world thinks? It probably will never change for some. But others are now willing to “get along” with Israel because stability is good for them. That’s something we can bank on.
"We are also learning that the best way to neutralize the impact of hostage-taking is to reduce the number of prisoners in Israeli custody. " Question: Better to reduce incentive or increase the number of bargaining chips?
“This latest incident highlights a glaring contrast: While Israel upholds the basic dignity of Palestinian prisoners it releases — offering medical treatment, legal rights, and humane conditions — Hamas revels in making hostages suffer until the very last second”
We have always believed that the expressions of compassion and mercy that we bestow upon those who do us harm will win us favor in both the eyes of G0d as well as in the eyes of our fellow man. While we may merit a nod from G0d for our decency enduring humanity, the rest of humanity will never extend us the dignity and respect for human life that we do; even for those who are sworn to eliminate us. Am Israel Chai.
Excellent writing! We have to have Sanhedrin back in reality operating again because Sanhedrin can give death penalty!! With all too much human rights to do anything, that way survive also all Amalek !! The world must destroy Amalek and kill all those who behave like wild animals. All the terrorists MUST destroy, if we want all normal humans survive!!HASHEM has promised to destroy all the evil and also Satan himself away forever to eternity and THAT Moment IS SOON 🙌🙏🇮🇱❤️🇮🇱The Third Temple and the Kingdom of Yisrael (Davidic Dynasty) are eternal and Sanhedrin is also in the Third Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem Very Soon Baruch HASHEM 🙌🙏🇮🇱❤️🇮🇱🙌🙏🇮🇱❤️🇮🇱
I see from the other comments that mine will not be original. I agree with the consensus that Israel must adopt the death penalty for convicted terrorists. Why this common sense and life-saving approach for future innocents was not adopted decades ago is beyond my comprehension.
It was a mistake that Israel did not prepare a plan for Gaza's future government in the past year.
IDF control of large parts Gaza would have allowed for an Israeli sponsored armed group to take over, as the South Lebanon Army once did. With IDF support but without IDF constraints on conduct, this group could have been as effective in putting down Hamas as Latin American armies were in putting down Marxist insurgents, or as the Algerian army was putting down the Islamist movement of 1991.
Hamas members must be eliminated via the death penalty if captured and tried for capital offenses and not incarcerated
They must be shot on site. Judicial punishment costs money.
Apologies - SHOT on SIGHT!
That’s a big lesson coming out of this.
"One might think that an organization bent on survival would at least consider how its actions play among its own supporters. And yet, Hamas continues to demonstrate a remarkable ability to alienate not only Israel and the broader international community but also its own people and regional allies."
Beg to differ. Hamas is playing to its audience, the Gazan, Judean, and Samarian Arabs. The goal is to show more than that they have not been defeated or even diminished by Israel. It is to show that as the victors they deserve to be the leaders of all the local Arabs, i.e. self denominated Palestinians.
Puck - I have a terrible feeling that you are correct. They are milking the media coverage, celebrating and parading in the streets as if they have won the war. I believe that they knew that they would never win the war. It was never their intention to win. They still have 2,142 million Gazans to use as cannon fodder. The more they lose, the more they win - their supporters are lapping it up and every bit of news footage and reporting paints Israel as an evil murderous regime. When a war is unwinnable, like this shit-show, we should "CRY HAVOC and let slip the dogs of war". By this I mean unleash hell. Am Yisrael Chai!
As usual, an insightful article on the conflict.
The only solution to this problem is to eliminate Hamas, no matter the collatoral damage. Once the hostages are out, Israel needs to reduce Gaza to rubble and forcibly remove it’s residents to Egypt or Jordan. Jordan did that to the Jews in 1948. Israel can do it in 2025. Once Gaza and the West Bank are emptied of Palestinians and they are returned to their own country (Jordan), Israel should annex the West Bank and Gaza and dare any country to take it away from them. The time to play nice to the UN and the rest of the anti-semitic world is long gone.
Yes!!!!
Capital punishment must be mandatory for all convicted of terrorism. Period.
Takes too long and costs a lot. Just don’t take prisoners. Or only enough to have executions immediately if hostages are taken.
Once again, an outstanding spot-on piece, Joshua. Thank you
I think this overly optimistic. The world is not outraged by Hamas and its brutality. The world couldn't care less.
exactly. The people who are fine with the brutal massacre and call it "resistance," the people who tore down hostage photos of children, that shout "intifada now"---they think it is all just fine and will continue to support them.
In the end, why care what the rest of the world thinks? It probably will never change for some. But others are now willing to “get along” with Israel because stability is good for them. That’s something we can bank on.
"We are also learning that the best way to neutralize the impact of hostage-taking is to reduce the number of prisoners in Israeli custody. " Question: Better to reduce incentive or increase the number of bargaining chips?
Both.
“This latest incident highlights a glaring contrast: While Israel upholds the basic dignity of Palestinian prisoners it releases — offering medical treatment, legal rights, and humane conditions — Hamas revels in making hostages suffer until the very last second”
We have always believed that the expressions of compassion and mercy that we bestow upon those who do us harm will win us favor in both the eyes of G0d as well as in the eyes of our fellow man. While we may merit a nod from G0d for our decency enduring humanity, the rest of humanity will never extend us the dignity and respect for human life that we do; even for those who are sworn to eliminate us. Am Israel Chai.
Excellent writing! We have to have Sanhedrin back in reality operating again because Sanhedrin can give death penalty!! With all too much human rights to do anything, that way survive also all Amalek !! The world must destroy Amalek and kill all those who behave like wild animals. All the terrorists MUST destroy, if we want all normal humans survive!!HASHEM has promised to destroy all the evil and also Satan himself away forever to eternity and THAT Moment IS SOON 🙌🙏🇮🇱❤️🇮🇱The Third Temple and the Kingdom of Yisrael (Davidic Dynasty) are eternal and Sanhedrin is also in the Third Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem Very Soon Baruch HASHEM 🙌🙏🇮🇱❤️🇮🇱🙌🙏🇮🇱❤️🇮🇱
Love this - to the point as always!
Clear and true as sunshine and daylight! Thank you Josh!
I see from the other comments that mine will not be original. I agree with the consensus that Israel must adopt the death penalty for convicted terrorists. Why this common sense and life-saving approach for future innocents was not adopted decades ago is beyond my comprehension.
papa j
It was a mistake that Israel did not prepare a plan for Gaza's future government in the past year.
IDF control of large parts Gaza would have allowed for an Israeli sponsored armed group to take over, as the South Lebanon Army once did. With IDF support but without IDF constraints on conduct, this group could have been as effective in putting down Hamas as Latin American armies were in putting down Marxist insurgents, or as the Algerian army was putting down the Islamist movement of 1991.
"hamas is not a resistance movement, it is a death cult." Well expressed. Thank you!
Expel them and retake Gaza.
I think Donald Trump heard your suggestion, because two weeks later... Bingo!