@Elmer_J.Fudd - moving here to avoid further hijack of the breaking news thread.
I agree. Hamas knows this and intentionally behaves in such a way that these sorts of measures are seen as necessary. Even this attack is calculated specifically to be as heinous as possible and ensure that Israel responds.
That’s been Hamas’ SOP since 2007 when they took power. Unlike Fatah who are in power in the West Bank, they have absolutely no interest in negotiating a way forward.
Israel has had a policy of containment, hoping Hamas will burn out or mellow or time. Clearly that hasn’t happened, and Hamas has proven they cannot be contained. And as you point out, containment imposes its own cost, embittering the lives of Palestinians and ensuring they stick with Hamas.
At this point deescalation with Hamas is impossible. They must be destroyed. But once that’s done, and Fatah or someone else is put in charge, we have to A, protect them from a resurgent Hamas with military force if necessary, and B, ensure they’re actually able to improve the lived of Gazans so they have something to lose by going back to Hamas.