Hamas Attacks, Israel Responds Part III. Is It Finally Over?

The challenge or the issue with this plan is that pending what happens in the next few months, say Israel normalizing relations with either Indonesia, or Lebanon, or Saudis, which would be a huge boost for Netanyahu in the polls, come Fall of 2026.

 

There were few names given by Alkhatib in that episode I linked, but I can't recall the names.

 

Kinda crazy watching the hostages coming home in real time on CNN. Almost home.

 

You and me and thousands of others. Watching on i24 on YouTube

 

This is a happy moment. Full stop.

I think we're going to take a break on this topic for a day, a 24-hour moment of silence, if you will, to savor the return of the first of these hostages.

 

Thread unlocked. Carry on.

 

So far, 4 dead bodies have been returned. Nobody knows how long it will take to return the rest.

 

Doesn't matter if he has a medical degree -- he's a leader in a terrorist organization.

Israel is trying to get a few dozen bodies returned in exchange for Hamas leaders. The bodies will finally be properly buried. The leaders will presumably be plotting another October 7th -- bigger and badder this time. Not quite an equal exchange, is it?

Happy Simchat Torah!

 

Let's try to create a discussion about next steps.

Let's assume Hamas will not agree to Stage 2 part of the deal and will not disarm and release power. What should Israel and/or international community do?

I can assume that Israel will not open Rafa crossing and would probably again try to hold off on delivering some amount of aid.

Without going into who is bad or good, let's just try to play out how this next stage can go. What would you like to see happen if the above scenario takes place?

 

I would prefer for IDF not to engage in Gaza all together, but I know that's a low likelihood. It would probably take quite some time for Israel to feel comfortable with another military presence in the strip. In addition, I'm also skeptical about any other country or UN willingly putting boots on the ground to monitor aid distribution or ceasefire. They would have to feel comfortable with engaging Hamas and I just don't see that happening. From some earlier videos, it already appears that Hamas is fighting with other clans and I've seen some executions happening. Again, assuming Hamas doesn't relinquish their power or authority, there's probably a few ways this can go.

1. IDF is back to fighting Hamas. Lose/lose for all sides.
2. IDF sticks to their buffer zone as agreed in the current ceasefire plan, monitors events, and proposes next course of action to international bodies, receives approval, and takes those actions (whatever they may be).
3. IDF continues unilaterally to proceed to next Stages of the ceasefire proposal and further removes their presence in the strip. Let the international community and especially the Arab countries really apply pressure on Hamas.

Irrespective of the above 3 scenarios, I do hope Israel allows for free flow of aid. It might be excruciatingly difficult to do this if all of the bodies haven't returned, but it's also imperative to show both the world and the Palestinians who just want to live normal lives (and side by side with Israel) that the war is against Hamas and their ideology. They need to be shown a better life. That's going to be extremely complex and lengthy in terms of time, but I don't see another way.