Hamas is but one iteration of a predictable and foretold resistance.

[radicalleft]

While the calls to "obliterate" Hamas, (which in reality is nothing more than a radical islamic group who opportunistically seized control of Gaza) are understandable and justified, it does nothing to solve the long term conflicts in this region. Until the basic human rights of the people of "Palestine" are met and a future full of promise is realized, they will cling to the belief that only through armed conflict can they achieve their political aims. The world needs to offer these people hope.

But given the current situation, I cannot see that there is very much hope to be offered. Hamas will be neutralized; but then what? I fear that the next iteration will spring up in the vaccum of effective leadership and the cycle will continue again and again until one of these groups is completey wiped from the earth and they will be but a chapter to be studied by furure historians.

[RockRaven]

1. The treatment begets the disease alongside the alleged cure...

If Americans didn't learn this in the two decades following 9/11, I suppose one cannot expect them to do so now either.

[radicalleft]

3. Not just America

but the rest of the western world too

[Silent Type]

2. Was reading that median income in Gaza is like $6,500 annually. That means, $13 Billion

is all it would take to make a huge difference in their lives, as would even $2 or $5 Billion.

Not suggesting we pay that to individuals, but that it wouldn’t take a big amount to make a difference. Obviously, there are millions/billions more who need help beyond the 2 Million in Gaza. More a long term approach, than helpful short term.

[radicalleft]

4. That would require a paradigm shift in thinking

That I don't forsee happening for a long long time.

[Silent Type]

8. Agree, "they'll" spend $13 Billion on trying to bomb folks into peace.

Can’t say that’s wrong in this situation, but just doesn’t feel right.

[LauraInLA]

12. Getting aid to citizen non-combatants

Unfortunately, it seems it has been very difficult to impossible to get the aid to Gazan civilians, as it is filtered through and appropriated by Hamas. I don’t know how to break that stranglehold or alter that dynamic for the future. I’m reminded that when Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip, they left greenhouses and other valuable assets — I’m not aware that average Gazan citizens gained any benefit from these resources.

[BootinUp]

13. One activist Gazan who escaped to Egypt says

that they need factories. But Hamas and their supporters wont build one.

[JI7]

5. Most Countries in this region are bad when it comes to human rights

Israel is the better than the others though .

[radicalleft]

7. Why is that though?

What gives rise to oppressive regimes? Is it poor education or lack of economic opportunity? Or is it simply evil people in positions of power moving pawns around a board?

Or could it be because of western political intervention that has failed to recognize the culture of a region that has historically been tribal or or in other cases ruled by a monarch of sorts? Is this culture/region capable of thriving in a western style democracy?

The US in particular is unique in that we have never really had to contend with a hostile neighbor. We are protected by two expanses of water that shield us from invaders. I think that has given us a distorted view of how other regions of the world deal with geo-political tensions.

I just don't really know...

[BlueMTexpat]

14. Good thoughts.

There are likely bits of all involved. Unfortunately, we still do not seem to learn any real lessons from the past.

Nor do we seem to want to.

[radicalleft]

9. 404 not found...

maybe my browser doesn't like the link

[marybourg]

10. But the only future the Palestinians collectively want is to drive Israel into the sea.

Why do you think every attempt at a peaceful settlement over the past 75 years, starting long before the advent of Hamas, has failed? It’s because they have no interest in anything less than “the right of return”. The Hamas terrorists said this even as recently as Oct 7. If they were willing to allow for a two state solution, living peacefully alongside Israel, this would have been settled a long time ago. Not facing this fact is just living in a dream world.

[radicalleft]

11. That is the whole point of my post

The "Palestinians" have "lost" since the end of WW1. They are fighting for what they believe is their right, just as the Israelis have. The roots of this conflict run deep and will only end I believe with one annihilating the other...

[Frasier Balzov]

15. What cruel irony for Jews to inflict such a "final" solution.

Yet they are responding to violence from an irrational threat which is clearly incapable of being mollified.

[radicalleft]

16. Yes...

It’s a sad situation