Did Israel Win in Gaza? “Yes — Emphatically, and Tragically, No.” Ambassador Michael Oren.

10 snips

Oct 21, 2025

Guest

Yoav Oren

Guest

Michael Oren

Ambassador Michael Oren, a historian and former Israeli envoy to the U.S., and his son Yoav, a veteran IDF special forces soldier, assess the complex realities of the Gaza conflict. They explore the concept of military success versus ongoing threats from Hamas, the psychological impacts of combat, and the moral complexities faced by soldiers. Yoav shares firsthand experiences during intense urban warfare, while Michael discusses the challenges of hostage diplomacy and the strategic implications of humanitarian aid manipulation by Hamas. Anti-Semitism in the West and media biases are also critically examined.

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INSIGHT

Unprecedented Military Achievement

Michael Oren: Militarily, Israel achieved a unique victory against an unprecedentedly complex urban and tunnel-based enemy in Gaza.
The scale—30,000 fighters, 2.2 million civilians, and ~500 km of tunnels—makes this battlefield singular in military history.

INSIGHT

Military Win ≠ Strategic Defeat

Michael Oren: Victory on the battlefield does not equal strategic defeat of Hamas if it keeps weapons and cover.
A diplomatic shield can freeze a military success into a long-term threat if disarmament stalls.

ADVICE

Prioritize Disarmament Implementation

Michael Oren: The next phase hinges on disarming Hamas before international aid and peacekeepers entrench them.
Work closely with partners to ensure the 20-point disarmament plan is implemented and arms channels are cut off.

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With his son Yoav Oren (former IDF special‑forces soldier) Ambassador Michael Oren (historian; former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.) sits down for anunvarnished assessment of the war what “victory” actually means. Highlights: Psychology of war & the IDF: A deep dive into moral erosion under prolonged combat; how rage, fear, and fatigue are managed; why some units choose capture‑over‑kill in close quarters; and the IDF practice of embedding psychologists with frontline units during Gaza operations to stabilize judgment in real time. Oren’s two‑line verdict: “Emphatically yes” on military success; “tragically no” because the fight mutates if Hamas retains weapons and cover. The “Hezbollah model” in Gaza: why a foreign peacekeeping shield + undisbursed weapons equals a forever threat. Hostages, Doha, and leverage: what actually forced movement — and what happens next if disarmament stalls. Gaza casualty math, explained from Oren’s perspective (the 1:1 claim and why the numbers are contested). How Hamas turns humanitarian aid into a war economy; the logistics and the alleged skimming. On restraint under fire: Yoav’s close‑quarters firefight, triage under fire, and the decision to capture, not kill. Anti‑Semitism’s uncensored return in the West — and why, according to Oren, arguments and “hasbara” often misfire. USS Liberty: Oren’s step‑by‑step rebuttal to the “deliberate attack” narrative. The strategic endgame: surgical strikes, cutting aid diversion, and whether disarmament is possible without a full re‑invasion. 00:00 Intro 01:50 Did Israel “win”? 04:30 Gaza’s tunnels and the unique urban fight 06:10 Multi‑front picture (Hezbollah, Iran, Houthis) 07:45 From battlefield gains to regional diplomacy 08:50 Hostages and the “diplomatic shield” 12:50 Why Hamas released hostages (and why it mattered) 15:10 Will Israelis accept another ground push? 15:40 Surgical strikes vs. re‑invasion 16:30 Aid diversion and UN logistics 23:00 Doha strike debate 32:10 IDF conduct under fire; Yoav’s firefight 41:00 Rules of engagement, restraint, and misinformation 55:20 Psych support embedded with IDF units 59:00 USS Liberty — the case against conspiracy 1:09:10 Closing thoughts: victory, vigilance, and what comes next