Punishment and revenge may motivate retaliation, but they do not provide a war goal by which to evaluate victory. In launching his troops into the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu listed legitimate, but potentially contradictory, goals: "the annihilation of Hamas' military capabilities" and "the return of the abductees to Israel." His priority is clear since he did not pay attention, despite pressure from the families, to Hamas' offer to exchange its 230 hostages for some 5000,<> Palestinians held captive in Israel. The Prime Minister is mobilizing the country for an "existential, long and difficult war." His political strategy remains a mystery once the guns have spoken.
The "second phase" of Israel's response to the massacre perpetrated by Hamas begins in a context that has changed a lot in three weeks. The 1,400 Israelis killed on 7 October have already been answered by more than 7,000 Palestinian deaths. The new
This article is for subscribers only. You have 54% left to discover.
Want to read more?
Unlock all items immediately.
TEST FOR €0.99
Already a subscriber? Log