Bret Stephens address at Ahavath Achim Synagogue on Thursday, January 22 claimed that the Gaza campaign was a strategic success. Only 6 Israelis were killed by Hamas (4 others were killed by friendly fire) while 500 or more Hamas militants were killed and significant damage was done to their infrastructure. Hamas expected Hezbollah to join them and they did not; Hamas expected another intifada on the West Bank to rise up and it did not. Nor did Hamas get support from either Egypt or Saudi Arabia. Tactically Hamas suffered a humiliating defeat.

Yet Israel pulled out without the release of Galid Shalit, kidnapped on Israeli soil and held by Hamas for years. The tunnels are being repaired.

Israel timed the attack because they forsaw larger and more lethal missiles being smuggled into Gaza. It is worth noting that Hezbollah’s reluctance to enter the fray may be the result of the damage inflicted on them 2 years ago. Perhaps that incursion was more deterring than we may have thought at the time.

Bret believes that the Palestinians hold Hamas responsible for provoking the attacks even if they are too intimidated by their violence to do anything about it.

Israel also succeeded in getting the world to notice what is going on in Gaza; they have largely ignored the constant barrage of rockets from Gaza. If the UN does not restrain Gaza, Israel has shown its willingness to take stronger action.

Ultimately the Palestinians must decide if they want to build a state or insanely persist in trying to destroy one.

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