Why is Israel underestimating Hamas yet again?

Israel’s mantra should be, “Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.”  If we have learned anything at all from October 7th, is it not that Hamas cannot be underestimated nor reformed?

Like the proverbial scorpion, it is in their nature to sting and sting they will! Knowing that, it makes absolutely no sense for Israel to agree to allow “approximately 200 Hamas terrorists to return to areas under Hamas control in Rafah, Gaza if they agree to disarm.”

Located, at the moment, in the buffer zone, unable to freely move to another area, pressure is being applied on them to disarm or be stuck where they are indefinitely. 

But even if they do agree to disarm, who will guarantee that somehow, somewhere and sometime soon, they will not be able to get their hands on smuggled weapons, since according to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, we have only destroyed approximately 40% of all the Gaza tunnels?

If that is an accurate estimate, 60% of tunnels remain in existence.  They could be housing weapons brought there prior to October 7th. How easy would it be for them to put their hands on them and continue to do what they do best – kill Israelis?

Hasn’t anyone figured out that demilitarization of Gaza can only be assured when every tunnel has been destroyed and every card-carrying Hamas member has exited the Strip? They will not turn over a new leaf, but we can definitely be fooled a second time, and shame on us if that happens!

The problem is that one of the ceasefire conditions was to grant immunity to Hamas members if they agreed to disarm. This has now become a major bone of contention between Israel’s military and the political leadership, causing confusion for the IDF when confronting known Hamas terrorists.  

Should they fully observe the diplomatic 20-point plan and allow unarmed Hamas members to return to the cities from where they originally came? 

Because if that is the objective, Hamas has already declared that they will see it as a victory of the highest order, already referring to it as a “psychological and political triumph.”

But with what is being characterized as a “volatile situation” in Rafah, where Hamas terrorists are still busy in their tunnels, albeit in violation of the ceasefire agreement, one can only speculate that this area remains a safe place and a stronghold for them.  So what is the draw that is pulling them into these underground passageways? Is it weapons?

And what about the three IDF soldiers who have been killed by anti-tank missile fire or snipers in Rafah since the ceasefire? Why are we so willing to accommodate murderers for the sake of honoring an agreement which they, themselves have thumbed their nose at?

The deal of disarmament, in exchange for withdrawal of our troops is a win-win situation for Hamas who can appear to be handing over their weapons, knowing that replacing them is as easy as pie, especially if they have a sizable cache under the ground, ready for the taking.

But where does that leave us? Once withdrawal is accomplished, getting back in is no small feat. And no matter how justified we would be to re-enter, how many nations would be willing to support us? You can already hear the loud accusations that Israel has violated the ceasefire agreement after Hamas disarmed.

You really have to wonder what is in the minds of politicians and mediators who prefer the “kick the can down the road” approach rather than recognize the murderous nature of avowed terrorists who will do whatever it takes to regroup, rearm and re-attack.

Is it ever possible to see a threat and understand that it will not stop until it is thoroughly extinguished? Why does anyone think that killers need to live to see another day?

Someone is clearly prolonging the survival of savage terrorists. By doing so, they are guilty of being the greatest impediment to a true and lasting peace, to which only one side is committed.

Which leads us to believe that peace is not at all the ultimate objective. If it was, those longing for it would do what it takes to achieve it, and that can only come by eradicating the monsters who believe that an entire race of people must be finished off.

If that was understood, perhaps there would be an end to this game of temporary false peace measures? So why is it not happening?

It could be that the backbone and courage needed to decisively confront evil is in short supply. Or it could be that there is a lack of moral clarity, a crucial element needed in order to distinguish the perpetrators from the victims.

It could also be that something more sinister is happening. Most of us know that war is a type of hell, with catastrophic consequences. But it’s possible that others see it as a means to their nefarious ends? 

Otherwise, how can it be explained that very flawed and unsound peace agreements are forged which make accommodations for the strengthening and continuation of terrorism?

We seem to fall into the same trap over and over again as we are all too willing to think that this time it will be different. Suddenly, we have found the magic formula which will allow us to coexist and find a way to live peaceably.

But here’s the bottom line. Israel can no longer afford to hope that this time it will be different. The enemy has been underestimated one too many times, and always to our detriment. 

Another October 7th must not ever occur again, because if it does, it will mean that we were fooled for a second time, and if that happens, then we have no one to blame but ourselves, and the shame will, indeed, be upon us.

Our so-called peace facilitators may not see it that way, but that is only because all they have to lose is a prize for the recognition of having averted another war while we have everything to lose!