In a piece in the New York Times, its columnist David Brooks considers the possible alternatives to an invasion of Rafah in Gaza.
Elder of Ziyon takes us through Brooks’ article as the columnist goes through all the calculations that the IDF must already have made: “Finally, a mainstream newspaper looks at alternatives to invading Rafah – and cannot find any,” Elder of Ziyon, March 25, 2024:
David Brooks in the New York Times looks at the real military situation in Gaza, asking, “What Would You Have Israel Do to Defend Itself?“
He calls out what every military expert knows: Israel is doing the best job possible.
Brooks writes basic truths that are rarely seen in the media: “Hamas’s goal is to maximize the number of Palestinians who die and in that way build international pressure until Israel is forced to end the war before Hamas is wiped out. Hamas’s survival depends on support in the court of international opinion and on making this war as bloody as possible for civilians, until Israel relents.”
Hamas always and everywhere tries to maximize not just the deaths of Israeli civilians, but also of Palestinian civilians. Hamas’ leadership has no interest in keeping ordinary civilians in Gaza alive; they are most useful to Hamas when they are dead, for their deaths become the focus of Hamas’ propaganda, as the terror group paints Israelis as mad-dog killers, eager to murder the innocent — which, of course, is what Hamas itself does.
He doesn’t say this, but this is part of Hamas’ strategy of lying – claiming that Israel is sexually abusing patients in Shifa Hospital, for example. Since so few reporters call them out on their lies, they can make up more lurid ones.
This particular charge about the IDF soldiers supposedly “sexually abusing” female patients at Al-Shifa was promptly dropped by Al Jazeera, which had first run the story, but then announced that Hamas’ own investigation had shown that the story was a “fabrication.” Anyone who has followed Israel’s wars, of course, didn’t need Al Jazeera’s retraction; he would have known that the story was absurd, grotesque, unspeakable.
So what alternatives does Israel have to an invasion of Rafah? Brooks lists several, and none of them can work. Limiting engagement is more likely to leave power vacuums; assassinations of Hamas leaders are difficult and when done on foreign territory like Turkey they have serious political risks, a counterinsurgency strategy only works then there is an alternative government and infrastructure Israel can work with, and the fourth is absurd:
By not entering Rafah, the IDF would have left the job of eradicating Hamas unfinished; it would still be standing — an outcome that would allow the terror group to claim it had “won” merely by surviving after six months of ferocious battles with the IDF. Other Arabs would be mightily impressed. Hamas’ popularity among the Palestinians would soar even higher than it is now, when 82% of Palestinians support the terror group. Neither Hamas, nor Israel, would be in full control all of Gaza. The IDF would hold sway in the north around Gaza City; Hamas would still control Rafah in the south. That way anarchy lies.
Would assassinating Hamas’ leaders be a better way to “destroy Hamas” than invading Rafah? Not likely. First, this would be very difficult. After more than five months in Gaza, the IDF still can’t locate Yahya Sinwar. Most of the other Hamas leaders, including Khaled Meshaal and Ismail Haniyeh, are ensconced in luxury dwellings in Doha, with large security details provided by their supporter, the Emir. These are not soft targets. It is not certain that the Mossad could eliminate them, given the protection they now receive in Qatar. An attempt on that handful of Hamas leaders who live in Turkey might be minimally easier, but if the Mossad were successful, Erdogan is sure to go on the warpath against Israel, and that is a headache the Israeli government would rather avoid. And anyway, wouldn’t others immediately step forward to take the place of any Hamas leaders, whether in Qatar or Turkey, whom the Israelis manage to kill?
Hamas has to be crushed. The IDF must attack the last redoubt of the terror group in Rafah.
Dave says
Alternatives are accepting Gaza as a terror state, adding terror states in Judea and Samaria, and destroying the one Jewish country in the world.
Emilie Green says
The IDF has its plans of course. But I would like to see them begin this neutralization of Rafah if only to see the left get even more riled.
From the other side of Town. says
Thank you for a very clear and succinct analysis. It is timely, and extremely needed.
cornelius says
Of course Hugh is right. But unfortunately, it’s starting to look like Israel’s gov’t is looking for a way out in order to avoid a complete break with Biden. And all this….so Biden can win Michigan in November.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
No, the reason Israel cancelled the visit of their staff to DC following the US refusal to veto the resolution unilaterally calling for a ceasefire (w/o a release of hostages) was to signal Hamas that DC has no leverage on Israel when it comes to armtwisting them over the ceasefire. Unlike the Dems, Israel does not try to interfere in US elections, although there are American anti-Semites who might think otherwise
࿗Infidel࿘ says
I am fine w/ Hamas existing in Doha and Ankara. Israel should wipe them out in all of Gaza – from Beit Hanoun to Rafah, and even in Judea and Samaria. If Fatah and Islamic Jihad join them, they should be eliminated as well. Annex all these territories, and allow only the muslims who accept Israel’s Jewish character to stay
Vera Levy says
Why does it need the main stream media or any newspaper to wake you guys up?! the problem specially, in America that most of the people sit in their living rooms, in front of a television set and complain, or on a chat like this
Israel has not seen the large Christian community in America and elsewhere
Going on the street and support the state of Israel
There are millions of Christians who are praying for Israel, but this is not enough anymore. Your faces have to be shown on the streets as well.
It always begins with the Jews, but it never ends with the Jews
Everyone with education has learned that this was the case in 1938 in Europe
It started like this with extreme antisemitism, and nobody today can count on any institution who is doing the right job to fight this
Wake up guys they will come after you as well. This is 100% sure you are infidels. ( Kufar) you must be killed or convert. This is what the Koran says.
Mr. Robert Spencer is doing a wonderful job, they try to shut him up
Not even the majority of those Hamas protesters, have any idea what is written in the Quran
The western morality they have, does not work in the Middle East. This is a complete different issue and it is time that people wake up and learn and not going for any propaganda in the main stream media or certain newspapers, especially in the US.