Conduct a SEIGE of Gaza to break Hamas... Do not be drawn into an urban campaign staged in the rubble of Gaza's cities. Cut off all logistical support entering Gaza and destined for Hamas from land, air, or sea... Engage selective targets in Gaza using artillery, and air strikes. Target Hamas Military formations to destroy Hamas's Command and Control, arsenals, logistics, weapons systems, and troop concentrations. Avoid targeting civilians where possible.
Conduct a massive series of Infantry raids against key targets in Gaza ... structure these raids to be in and out of Gaza within 24 hours. Pursue such raids and the siege of Gaza, until Hamas is destroyed as a fighting force. Then, and only then, enter with force to establish an OCCUPATION government. Maintain an occupation government over Gaza until such time as Israel determines Gaza is able to join the world as a nation of peace.
I say again... do not become bogged down in a guerilla war fought on the enemy's turf... on terrain unfavorable for use by Israel's conventional military forces. Do not commit to urban warfare... Be patient. Let, the Seige and its blockade deny Hamas its ability to engage in the fight under any conditions.
Continue to offer Gaza's citizens free passage out of Gaza... to predetermined refuge centers ... preferably in the Sini or Africa/Egypt. Until Israel is able to provide a government of occupation capable of keeping order in Gaza.
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I think I heard a report Netanyahu was planning to do this. Don't know if accurate though.
This war can be won with minimal casualties on both sides if Israel lays siege to Gaza and is willing to WAIT the time necessary to starve Hamas of its weapons and munitions... its ability to resist.
All options are certainly on the table by Israel and in the mind of Netanyahu.
Also the main objective is firmly embedded in all that is being measured as options. Hamas is a murderous evil organization that will stop at nothing but total destruction of their ability to carry out their own objective, which is to erase Israel from existence on the planet.
Concern about what others think about your actions has little meaning when your own survival is in question. You do what is necessary to preserve your life and that of your people. Hamas must be utterly destroyed, and those that would side with them, train them, supply them, as well.
The question is this: Will what you choose to do in response to what has already happened lead to a world war with nuclear weapons? And if you do not do it will it ultimately lead to the destruction of your own people? Either outcome would cost the life of the Nation of Israel, and virtually all others as well.
Go in with all your might Israel, and totally waste the Gaza strip. Do not leave a damned thing standing. And to hell with the United Nations, Iran, Hezbolah, or any other bleeding heart faction that really wants to see you dead. Either God is with you, or He is not. Chopping off the heads of your babies with a shovel is the act of non-humans, so treat them as such. This cannot be tolerated. Absolutely Not.
Maybe you are right, Col. Nelson. But even if you are Hamas must be utterly destroyed as a result. Take No Prisoners, Israel. Waste the whole damned lot of them. Their actions have forfeited their right to life. And these monsters will do it again if given the chance.
A Seige of Gaza will provide the most efficient and effective means to root out Hamas in Gaza... while limiting the rhetoric and chances of WW-3. A full-scale ground assault will be expensive in terms of military capital, and lives (both civilian and combatant) A full-scale invasion of Gaza runs a very high risk of escalating into WW-3 and would certainly create a narrative unfavorable to Israel and its allies.
A Seige of Gaza with selective infantry raids to destroy specific HIGH VALUE Hamas targets within Gaza will prove most effective in removing Hamas from the belly of Gaza and its leadership. Use artillery, air strikes, and selective infantry raids together with a complete blockade of all aid entering Gaza... starve Hamas into surrendering. Let the people of Gaza know Hamas needs to go and they may turn on them or at least stop aiding them.
Allow and assist the evacuation of Gaza's civilians to designated refugee zones... preferably in a host nation willing to guarantee their safety and isolation from any further terrorist or combatant activities as refugees.
If creating " a narrative unfavorable to Israel and its allies" is the major concern, then consider this. Hemming Hamas in and starving them into submission would certainly create the same narrative. Also. it would be impossible to acheive totally.