Neutralizing Hamas’s military capacity is the stated goal of this war (Bibi’s jingoistic propaganda aside).
Achieving that goal is necessary and while I have a lot of Questions, I don’t have access to nearly enough information to armchair quarterback the IDF in this war. So as long as the IDF is aiming to keep civilian deaths to a minimum and unless they actually cross red lines according to international law, I support their effort to achieve the stated goal.
But
Neutralizing Hamas’s military capacity is not a plan to neutralize Hamas’s political standing.
It’s not a plan to neutralize the ideology behind Hamas.
It’s not a plan to address the social, economic, and political factors that draw people to that ideology.
It’s not a plan to address its financial sponsors.
It’s not a plan to prevent Hamas from rising in another five years to continue their genocidal war against Jewish people in Israel.
It’s the first step. It’s a necessary step. But we need a government that is taking the rest of the steps and the clock is ticking.