Obliterating Hamas in Gaza is Israel’s only option now
Oct 16, 2023
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The podcast discusses Hamas's takeover of Gaza and its transformation into a terror base. They explore the impact of recent Hamas attacks, the exploitation of Gaza's population for anti-Israel PR, and the religious dimension of the conflict. They also touch on conspiracy theories, shifting attitudes towards Israel, and the lack of American involvement in peace efforts.
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Quick takeaways
Israel should eradicate Hamas in Gaza and replace it with Palestinians it can work with.
The people of Gaza are weary of being used as pawns by Hamas and seek an end to their suffering.
Deep dives
Shocking and horrific terror attacks by Hamas
The recent terror attacks launched by Hamas were described as shocking and horrific, revealing the darkest side of humanity. The scale, scope, and barbarism of the attacks were unexpected by many, including experts like Daniel Pipes, who had studied Hamas extensively. The success of the attacks surprised both Hamas and its backers in Iran. The posting of real-time photos and videos by Hamas showcasing their atrocities contributed to the shock factor. This tactic of self-promotion and displaying their power is not new for extremist groups like Hamas and has been used in the past by Hezbollah and ISIS. While such acts may temporarily strengthen the Islamist cause, the overall impact is likely to be detrimental, causing disaffection and repulsion among many Muslims.
Hamas' exploitation of the Gaza population
Hamas has exploited and manipulated the population of Gaza for its own media and public relations purposes. The people of Gaza have been subjected to death, destruction, poverty, and oppression as Hamas provokes Israeli military action in order to gain sympathy and support. The Israeli government's previous belief that providing jobs and economic stability would decrease Hamas aggression has been proven wrong. The vast sums of funding received by Hamas, including foreign aid, have been used for military purposes rather than improving the well-being of the population. The people of Gaza have become weary of being used as pawns in Hamas' games and are seeking an end to their suffering.
Possibility of a positive outcome if Israel removes Hamas
Daniel Pipes believes there is a chance for a positive outcome if Israel takes decisive action to remove Hamas from power in Gaza. He argues that after 16 years of Hamas rule, many Gazans are eager to break free from the cycle of violence and exploitation. If Israel were to conquer and reconquer Gaza, they could find willing partners among Gazans who are tired of the misery brought upon them by Hamas. This does not mean these individuals would become pro-Israel, but rather their experiences under oppressive Islamist rule have led them to reject the ideology and seek a better life. Pipes sees potential for Israel to find local allies who are willing to work towards reconciliation and improve the lives of Gazans.
The role of external actors and the potential for wider conflict
The involvement and potential influence of external actors in the Gaza conflict is a significant concern. While Iran seeks to weaken Israel, it is not certain if they will directly engage in the conflict or use proxies like Hezbollah. The actions of other Arab states, such as urging the Palestinians to reject Hamas leadership, have not been effective. The role of the Palestinian Authority is also debated, but it is seen as a weak and not much different from Hamas in terms of radicalism. The potential for a wider conflict spreading beyond Gaza exists, with the possibility of Hezbollah in Lebanon attacking Israel. However, the ferocity of the Israeli response could act as a deterrent. Overall, there is uncertainty regarding the involvement of external actors and the escalation of the conflict.
Gaza not long ago had one of the fastest-growing economies in the world — until Hamas took over, turned it into a terror base and began using Gazans as cannon fodder for anti-Israel public relations, just as its doing now. As Daniel Pipes, president of the Middle East Forum, discusses with Brian this week, Hamas’s Islamist theocracy has few fans among the Palestinians of Gaza, or indeed elsewhere in the Muslim world. The Israeli government must abandon its failed strategy of trying to contain a genocidal regime, Pipes explains. Now is the time for Israel to eradicate Hamas in Gaza so it can replace it with Palestinians it can work with. (Recorded October 12, 2023)
