Israel Is Losing This War
The NationJan 18
Report: Israeli Intelligence Warns Hamas Will Survive Gaza War
Image copyright: Ahmad Hasaballah / Stringer via Getty Images
The Facts
Israeli media reported on Thursday that Israel's military intelligence warned the country's leaders that even if the military successfully dismantles Hamas in Gaza, it will survive as "a guerrilla group.” The intelligence report also claimed that Palestinians in Gaza still have “authentic support” for Hamas.
The document was first discussed by figures within Israel's security apparatus last week before being reportedly shown to the country's political establishment on Monday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said that Israel can defeat Hamas militarily.
The Spin
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel is losing its war in Gaza. After over three months and almost 30K dead Palestinians, Israel has failed to kill Hamas' top leaders or to create conditions advantageous to returning the hostages and ending this long-drawn-out conflict. Even if Israel did manage to achieve the majority of its war goals, it still would be left without a clear plan of action for the day after the war. Destroying a group like Hamas is a fool's errand, and Netanyahu has dug Israel into a hole that it will have a tough time climbing out of. Israel should accept a comprehensive cease-fire.
Pro-Israel narrative
Though, of course, this war has not been easy, Israel has made steady progress in Gaza. As Israel's enemies should recognize, Israel's raw military power is not even up for debate, and the country will fight and negotiate as it sees fit to achieve its goals. Israel can continue this war for as long as needed, and Hamas must soften its demands and release the hostages if it wants to prevent a Rafah offensive.