No. of Recommendations: 2
...does the fighting end with Hamas surrendering and releasing their captives, or does the fighting end with Israel withdrawing and Hamas remaining both in power and in control of the hostages? Or some combination of both?
Hamas will not surrender. Just as the VC didn't surrender. Just as the Taliban didn't surrender. Not going to happen.
Israel has seriously degraded Hamas, but they will continue as long as the idea lives.
I suppose Israel could pivot and wipe out Iran. Iran is the source for funding and training for Hamas, the Houthis, and Hezbollah. That would cause other problems, but it would starve all those groups of funding and training, making further operations very difficult. And if they do it right, some Iranians might actually thank them. The theocracy is NOT popular, but the people can't really do much about it. Of course, doing it "right" is pretty tricky. We certainly botched it in Iraq.
