Again, how many dead children are too many? Just give me a number as a guide. - CO

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The only rational answer is as few as possible from here on out.

What produces more deaths, a massive attack wiping out Hamas for once and for all vs the status quo prior to 10/7. For decades, Hamas has been lobbing missiles into Israel and occasionally getting whacked for it. So what is worse, a one-time massive attack with all the carnage that goes with it vs five or ten at a time, on a daily treadmill of death for another fifty years?

Something had to change, and the change Israel has embarked on is ugly no doubt, but ugliness does not reduce the necessity of altering the status quo.

I wish that Israel just went into Rafah as soon as they had the assets in place. If they did, the overall conflict would be mostly over by now and the entire world could be helping with humanitarian aid and reconstruction. Meanwhile, the Abraham Accords could have been resumed moving the Middle East to a more sane relationship among each other and with Israel. The elimination of Hamas is best for all parties including the Gazans. When? NOW!