Posted on 01/10/2009 2:42:22 PM PST by george76
Israel's leaders have purposely obscured their war aims in Gaza. But there are only two possible endgames: (A) a Lebanon-like cessation of hostilities to be supervised by international observers, or (B) the disintegration of Hamas rule in Gaza.
Under tremendous international pressure -- including from an increasingly wobbly U.S. State Department -- the government of Ehud Olmert has begun hinting that it is receptive to a French-Egyptian cease-fire plan...
That would be a terrible mistake.
It would fail on its own terms. It would have the same elements as the phony peace in Lebanon: ... a cessation of hostilities until the terrorist side is rearmed and ready to initiate the next round of hostilities.
The U.N.-mandated disarmament of Hezbollah in Lebanon is a well-known farce. Not only have foreign forces not stopped Hezbollah's massive rearmament, their very presence makes it impossible for Israel to take any preventive military action...
The "international community" is now pushing very hard for a Gaza replay of that charade...
Weapons will continue to be smuggled. Deeper and more secure fortifications will be built for the next round. Mosques, schools and hospitals will again be used for weapons storage and terrorist safe havens.
The fall of Hamas rule in Gaza is within reach, but only if Israel does not cave in to pressure to stop now.
Olmert had such an opportunity in Lebanon. He blew it. He now has a rare second chance.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Hamas’s leadership is not only seriously degraded but openly humiliated ?
That would cement Kadima's loss in Feb.
(B) the disintegration of Hamas rule in Gaza.
Since "all of the above" isn't an option, B is the ONLY option.
Absolutly. He is a Liberal. Another Liberal non-solution. Olmert is a joke.
The Arabists at Foggy Bottom must be more than a bit disburbed watching Israel kick Islamoterrorist posterior.
Hamas’s leadership is not only seriously degraded but openly humiliated ?Don't underestimate Hamas. Their tunnel infrastructure will survive the conflict and their leadership is easily replacable(and will be even more tied to Iran). The main problem is their rank and file which is beginning to crack under the Israeli pressure. I see three different outcomes:
1. Hamas capitulates and accepts PA control over the Gaza border. This is what the international community and Israel wants. It shows that the Israelis are capable of dealing a crushing blow to any Palestinian attacks, deterring Hamas from be anything other than a local, unpopular and decaying local power in Gaza.
2. Hamas collapses entirely. Israel doesn't really want this. The destruction of Hamas and the probably collapse of the PA soon afterwards will make Israel responsible for administering the territories again. Which is the *last* thing Israel wants.
3. Hamas "wins" the war of attrition through a combination of rocket attacks, attacks on soldiers in urban areas and international pressure on the Israelis due to civilian casualties. No idea what happens here, the humiliation for Israel here will lead to a windfall for Likud and further erosion of Israel's ability to deter attacks.
I think that many of us realized that this sort of thing was inevitable if Obama won in November.
I'd bet that the leadership in Tehran has made themselves scarce until their boy takes the reigns in a couple of weeks.
Humiliation only makes these rabid dogs more rageful. They don't need humiliating, they need killing.
Oooooh!
B!
B!
B!
Pick B!
Thanks geo. Thought this had been posted, but the search didn’t turn it up.
Krauthammer is good.
This is the first posting ?
Krauthammer nailed it, Israel has to keep pushing forward until they prevail and Hamas is destroyed.
I think there was an earlier one, seems like I’d seen it, FR search didn’t turn it up, and I was too lazy to check my own “My Postings”. :’)
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