An editorial of the "Wall Street Journal" comes out in defense of Israel - and against the prevailing attitude in the media.
"You may have missed it amid the defeatism of the media, but Israel is winning the war in Gaza," the editors of the "Journal" write.
"Hamas losses are accumulating and increasing, and support for Israel's war effort is lasting longer than expected."
The authors of the article note that the war is far from over, but Khan Yunis is about to fall and the forces in the west of the city are defeated.
Israel is advancing in all directions, including underground.
According to the "Journal", the restrictions imposed by the Biden administration and Israeli caution slowed the pace, but it is mentioned that the battle for Mosul against ISIS, which was also dug in tunnels, lasted nine months.
The "Journal" mentions the article by John Spencer, head of urban warfare at the Military Academy at West Point, who wrote that while Mosul was one battle in one city against 3,000 to 5,000 militants with limited protection, Israel is fighting several simultaneous battles in seven cities against 30 thousand armed with military fortresses built under civilian areas."
"Israel needs time to achieve victory, and Hamas is counting on the Western powers to deny the IDF time." In this way, says the "Journal", Israel's operations in the Gaza Strip were cut short too soon. "The war in 2009 was brought to an end after three weeks , that of 2014 after six.
The 'CNN strategy' of using human shields to garner media sympathy has worked time and time again for Hamas."
However, this time the story is different.
"October 7 was too brutal. The war has been going on for 120 days, but the US and Europe refuse to call for a ceasefire.
According to Israel, it killed or arrested 20,000 of the 30,000 Hamas militants and disbanded 17 of its 24 battalions.
The losses prevented Hamas from maneuvering and paralyzed the launches, which were reduced by 95% compared to the first days of the war." Bringing the abductees home but also to force a prolonged truce, in the hope that it will turn into a cessation of hostilities - "and one is if leaving Hamas in the Strip would by definition be a defeat for Israel.
No matter how long the ceasefire lasts, Israel will probably need the war."
The Journal estimates that this may be the reason why Hamas refuses to accept the American proposal for a ceasefire and the release of the abductees, and instead demands guarantees for the cessation of hostilities that Israel cannot provide.
"Israel's mission in 2024 is to finish the job, but will the American support persist?", ask the editors.
"The Biden administration continues to provide a military and diplomatic umbrella, which will be difficult to withdraw, since a large majority of Americans support Israel and its war aims. European leaders are also aligning and no Arab country has withdrawn from the Abraham Accords. Only Iran, which has escalated its regional war against the US, is operating ( on them) click.
Even the UN tribunal in The Hague is reluctant to order a cease-fire. Victory in the war will not guarantee peace afterwards, but it is essential for Israel's security and for the Palestinians to have a chance for a normal life in Gaza."
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