Why the Next Phase of the Israel-Hamas War Will Be Even More Brutal
Both IDF and Hamas’ interests will best be served with renewed savagery
The hostage releases are of course a glorious miracle for the hostages and their families, but strategically they are yet another win for Hamas.
Not only did Hamas get a multiday ceasefire to regroup, and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released, but the brutal theocratic mafia’s PR further improved throughout the world.
The released hostages look relatively well-treated and healthy — of course. Hamas isn’t that bad, after all, right? They are reasonable. They are humane — yeah, right.
The IDF has been humiliated by their sheer acquiescence to Hamas’ demands. If not for the Israeli parents’ protests and marches, the deals never would have happened.
Restarting the war that has already killed thousands of Palestinian civilians will be particularly harsh, but the IDF will do it anyway, and with renewed vengeful gusto.
Reports suggest the US is trying to convince Israel to take a more targeted approach to killing Hamas. But that will result in more IDF soldier casualties.
Since the start of this war, Israel has weighed the lives of Palestinian civilians against the lives of IDF soldiers, the results of which are painfully evident.
The problem with Israel’s death calculations is the impact the livstreaming of dead and dying Palestinian children have on world opinion, especially in the US.
Meanwhile the ceasefire has changed nothing on the ground: Israel is hellbent on destroying Hamas, and Hamas is eager for the IDF to kill as many Palestinian civilians as possible.
My sad prediction for the post-ceasefire phase of the war is the IDF will double- and triple-down on the ferocity of their attacks for all the reasons cited here.
“Look!” Netanyahu will allege. “The brutality of our approach has succeeded in getting all those hostages released.” Of course that will be music to Hamas’ ears.
Hamas fighters are already assimilating into the civilian population of the South, preparing for what they planned from the start as endgame — Phase III: Endless guerilla war within occupied Gaza.
The IDF will take the war to them, even though they have designated these areas as “safe” for civilians fleeing the North, and even though this is what Hamas wanted all along.
This war is just getting started.
