Even the Israeli army spokesman doesn't think it's possible to eliminate Hamas. So where does that lead Israel?

I’m certain many in Gaza don’t support Hamas, but you seem to think that Hamas waging war against Israel is perfectly justified.
I don’t think sacrificing 40000 of your own civilians and destroying most of Gaza is in any way justified. The IDF is not perfect, combat never is perfect, Hamas preaches that every Israeli should be killed, the attack in October proved that.

If you wish to defend Hamas fine, I don’t, they cannot be allowed to continue to be active in Gaza.

Hamas just have to be got rid of as a working enemy with capabilities and then Gaza rebuilt with a different kind of governing body entirely.This is what Israel is aiming for and I think are getting close to doing now.

Really! Please feel free to quote anything that I have posted which supports your view that I support Hamas. It is my view that Hamas is an evil terrorist group and they committed horrible acts on the 7th Oct. However I don't believe they can be eliminated by the IDF and I don't believe that they are supported by every Gazan.

So what should Israel do Vintagewine?

I think David is right. Hamas have caused the destruction of most of Gaza, caused the deaths of nearly 40,000 Gazans, slaughtered 1200 Israelis in the most bestial way, and took and still holds many Israeli hostages.
So what should Israel do? (clue, giving in to bullies never works.)

Accept Hamas can't be eliminated, Netanyahu is still saying "total destruction" of Hamas is the aim and begin negotiations for a two state solution. Most importantly, allow enough aid into Gaza along with international media to ensure accurate reporting. Priotitise the release of hostages and agree a permanent ceasefire. There are no winners here, just losers. Have an election. Definitely avoid a war with Hezbollah. There was an interesting interview with a former head of Shin Bet this morning, this is pretty much his view.

So it’s all up to Israel

As they are currently occupying Gaza and Netanyahu is intent on continuing the war, I guess it has to start somewhere. Israel needs peace just as much as Gaza, if you read their media it's destroying their society which was polarized before 7/10.

Going off at a tangent here but, while googling something else I read that, when Israel vaccinated the whole of it’s population for Covid ( I think they were one of the first countries to do so) they assumed no responsibility for the Palestinians in Gaza.

Hamas can be eliminated as an active terrorist group in Gaza, it’s up to the moderate Palestinians to do that, there will need to be a period of military occupation, the alternative is continual conflict and Palestinians loose every time.

After WW2 both Germany and Japan had military occupation until the civilian government was strong enough. That is the only solution because all neighbouring countries are military governments controlling extremists, Israel will be no different.

Not true. Jordan. Egypt. Have to be involved, it needs an international effort.
Particularly because such of Gaza is laid waste, food, water, electricity will need resources.

There no way Jordan or Egypt are going to get involved on the ground in Gaza, both are fighting their own extremists many of whom are Palestinian origin. That’s part of the problem nobody wants Palestinians, policing Gaza is a poisoned chalice, nobody wants it, Israel is trying to pass the buck but will have to do it themselves.

I wasn't suggesting they were going to be involved on the ground at all, I was reacting to your incorrect statement

"all neighbouring countries are military governments controlling extremists".

when international discussions take place they have to be involved as they both have large numbers of refugees and have for many years and cannot take more.

I think Davisd’s right about Gaza. It’s a poisoned chalice and Israel are probably going to have to police it themselves for a while.

“As ye sow so shall ye reap”

I suppose creating 750000 refugees in 1947 was always a ticking time bomb and so it has proved.

IDF now leaving Rafah and heading towards the Lebanon border.

Poor Israel.

Wyllow3

I wasn't suggesting they were going to be involved on the ground at all, I was reacting to your incorrect statement

"all neighbouring countries are military governments controlling extremists".

when international discussions take place they have to be involved as they both have large numbers of refugees and have for many years and cannot take more.

Then who do you suggest is going to provide security for Gaza.
Or are you happy for Hamas to regrow in power, rearm and the whole cycle happens again

Of course I'm not happy for this.

However - do we have any idea if the military leaders in Israel are prepared to mount a policing operation on the ground on the scale that would be necessary - the sheer numbers of IDF to be permanently involved?

What is the end plan?

Support for Hamas waning?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0vewvp14zdo

4/5ths of Gaza's are displaced people now.

About time too.

I was glad to read it: still no long term plans I can find coming out of Israel. Netanyahu and Biden are to meet on Thursday to discuss Hamas peace proposals.

In Israel they are in the middle of a difficult time because of the new conscription laws which means the ultra-Orthodox or Haredi Jewish community should have to join the IDF.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6p24expzd5o

Reading Jerusalem post concerns with Hezbollah and conflict on territory on the West Bank are the headlines

And it’s perfectly correct that the ultra Orthodox should have the same rules applied to them, in my humble opinion.
I think any deal is going to depend on the release of all the hostages, and I don’t think Hamas will agree to that. But we’ll see.

maddyone

And it’s perfectly correct that the ultra Orthodox should have the same rules applied to them, in my humble opinion.
I think any deal is going to depend on the release of all the hostages, and I don’t think Hamas will agree to that. But we’ll see.

TBH I think Hamas will want a permanent ceasefire and Israel won't agree to that, so it will be stalemate. I hope not but I'm not very hopeful. According to some news media, top Israeli generals want a ceasefire even if it leaves Hamas in power but Netanyahu won't agree to it.

I heard a report that Israel was planning to settle a further 12 sq Kilometers of West Bank land, that is not a good sign for change in attitudes.

David49

I heard a report that Israel was planning to settle a further 12 sq Kilometers of West Bank land, that is not a good sign for change in attitudes.

6,000 more settler homes in land which belongs to the Palestinians. Settlers have also been stoning the IDF and attacking Palestinians. It's such a mess and no basis for peace negotiations for Gaza.