I have absolutely no idea what the right course of action would have been. Perhaps holding back on the invasion, and then firing Netanyahu. Then having an actual negotiator in to discuss Gaza / Palestine with the leaders (not Hamas). Maybe giving 1 week to reach an agreement and release hostages, or Israel invades and gloves are off.
Negotiating with them would give them reason to take hostages again.
Terrorism definition: the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.
So if you reward violence with success to political wins, this would give violence a reason to happen more as a tool. This obviously isn’t an answer if you are Israel wanting to prevent your citizen and other nations being killed / violently victimized to force capitulation of your government.
So from their perspective, or any other government of the world, this is a non starter.
One of the issues is that there are no leaders apart from Hamas in Gaza. It is possible that the majority of the population would want different ones (there is not much evidence of that, but it’s difficult to get that information), but Hamas made sure that there are none.
I have absolutely no idea what the right course of action would have been. Perhaps holding back on the invasion, and then firing Netanyahu. Then having an actual negotiator in to discuss Gaza / Palestine with the leaders (not Hamas). Maybe giving 1 week to reach an agreement and release hostages, or Israel invades and gloves are off.
Negotiating with them would give them reason to take hostages again.
Terrorism definition: the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.
So if you reward violence with success to political wins, this would give violence a reason to happen more as a tool. This obviously isn’t an answer if you are Israel wanting to prevent your citizen and other nations being killed / violently victimized to force capitulation of your government.
So from their perspective, or any other government of the world, this is a non starter.
The leadership of Gaza is Hamas. Unequivocally.
Hamas was elected to power then pulled the ladder up behind them suspending all future elections.
All officials in the Gaza government are Hamas.
Elections were suspended in the West Bank because there is a real chance Hamas would win an election there today.
This isn’t a case of a tyrannical overlord ruling over the Palestinian people without their consent.
Most supported and still support the organization.
One of the issues is that there are no leaders apart from Hamas in Gaza. It is possible that the majority of the population would want different ones (there is not much evidence of that, but it’s difficult to get that information), but Hamas made sure that there are none.