# Will Israel destroy Hamas **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** israel-hamas-war\ **Created:** [October 8, 2023, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277 "2023-10-08T15:22:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/101 "2023-10-09T14:07:50Z")
**Seriously, enough. This is off-topic. Drop it now please.** ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/102 "2023-10-09T14:07:56Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Push people away from these ideologies, resolve the underlying issues, prevent countries like Iran from meddling - and peace will come. I agree that it’s possible. People are the same the world over, nobody is born a violent extremist. Fundamentally, people want the chance to make a living, to live a decent life, and the defining innate characteristic of the human species is cooperation, not conflict. A prerequisite is that Hamas must be eradicated to break the feedback loop. Nothing will change when people are indoctrinated with poisonous hatred by violent fanatics. Remember Toby Ziegler’s famous rant - [They’ll like us when we win](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4vU1ygmq-s). Too glib of course, winning is just the beginning. But he’s right that appeasement doesn’t work if it leaves extremists in place to indoctrinate the next generation. Then, of course, there are the dangerous extremists within Israel. But within Israel there is at least the possibility of marginalizing them within the democratic process. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/103 "2023-10-09T14:13:14Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Are you seriously asking if the people holding hostages, murdering unarmed festivalgoers, and worse, are the bad guys? Not enough skulls on their caps or something? Almost certainly you are deliberately referencing this, but on the remote chance that you’re not… > **[That Mitchell And Webb Look - "Are We The Bad Guys"?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK-kWRAVmRU?=list)** > > If your ever working in the military, watch this sketch and then ask yourself the damn question. Brilliant sketch, very funny, more of this stuff on my chann... ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/104 "2023-10-09T14:49:19Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Almost certainly you are deliberately referencing this Yes, I was. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/105 "2023-10-09T14:53:33Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > A prerequisite is that Hamas must be eradicated to break the feedback loop. Nothing will change when people are indoctrinated with poisonous hatred by violent fanatics. I disagree. I mean, Hamas certainly needs to be eradicated but if the underlying problems you mentioned (mainly a good life) are not solved then some other group will pop-up in place of Hamas and we are back at it again. Young men (women too but less so) with no prospects are very easy to recruit into violent groups. It happens in the US too. Until that is solved (not sure how) groups like Hamas will flourish. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/106 "2023-10-09T14:56:10Z")
> **[UAE calls Hamas attacks on Israel a 'serious and grave escalation'](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/uae-calls-hamas-attacks-israel-serious-grave-escalation-2023-10-08/?utm)** > > The United Arab Emirates on Sunday described attacks carried out by Palestinian Islamist faction Hamas against Israeli towns as a "serious and grave escalation." I posted this in the breaking news thread, but I think normalizing relations with Arab powers will be key to breaking the cycle. Someone who the Palestinians don’t automatically distrust would be an extremely helpful go-between in the peace process. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/107 "2023-10-09T14:58:04Z")
That’s why the long term solution is to ensure everyone has prospects for a decent life and future. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/108 "2023-10-09T15:00:17Z")
And part of the challenge is several generations growing up being taught that what stands between them and prospects for a decent life and future is the very existence of “those others”. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/109 "2023-10-09T15:03:28Z")
Vicious anti-Semitism existed long before the creation of Israel. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/110 "2023-10-09T15:06:39Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I disagree. I mean, Hamas certainly needs to be eradicated but if the underlying problems you mentioned (mainly a good life) are not solved then some other group will pop-up in place of Hamas and we are back at it again. I’m not sure what you imagine you’re disagreeing with when I said eradicating Hamas was a “prerequisite” and that “winning is just the beginning”. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/111 "2023-10-09T15:11:23Z")
I imagine that “winning is just the beginning” is very vague. And as I said, getting rid of Hamas is kind of useless unless the underlying problems you mentioned are solved. If Hamas is gone it will be some other group causing trouble in short order. They probably already exist. I agree with you Hamas needs to go. I just do not think it is a solution to the crisis in the Middle East. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/112 "2023-10-09T15:13:35Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I imagine that “winning is just the beginning” is very vague. > > And as I said, getting rid of Hamas is kind of useless unless the underlying problems **you mentioned** are solved. [my bold] It’s vague, yet **I mentioned** exactly the problems that subsequently need to be solved? Good grief, I’m done with this. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/113 "2023-10-09T15:23:59Z")
Of course it’s not an overall solution, but Hamas still needs to be dismantled. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/114 "2023-10-09T17:55:23Z")
It’s very hard to see how to get the Palestinian people into a world of prosperity and civility that tamps down the murderous rage. The Palestinians have been getting billions of dollars in annual aid from various parts of the world, and it seems to wind up being used to buy weapons when it isn’t stolen by corrupt leaders. There is little industry and little infrastructure for it, and their farms are low productivity. And after this conflict, we can assume that what little industry they had will be gone. In the meantime, a lot of people in the region are willing to shell out lots of momey to the people who are willing to keep fighting Israel. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/115 "2023-10-09T18:17:13Z")
Well, the world now has the period while Israel exterminates Hamas to figure out what to do afterwards to give everyone else in the region a future worth living for. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/116 "2023-10-09T18:19:33Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > As you point out, there is a collateral damage cost borne by the Palestinians when Israel has to operate in Gaza. That’s something you’d hope Hamas would consider before they butcher 700+ Israeli civilians I think they did consider it, and in fact wanted a huge Israeli response and their own civilian deaths so they could paint themselves as victims. Already, many are forget that Hamas attacked a music festival. A fucking Music Festival. What brave warriors! ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/117 "2023-10-09T18:23:42Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > That’s why the long term solution is to ensure everyone has prospects for a decent life and future. Trouble is, there is a significant group that Does Not Want this. They want Israel to be destroyed and the Jewish people eradicated. You can’t have a long term solution when people like this are involved. They don’t want peace where everyone benefits. They want extermination ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/118 "2023-10-09T18:59:02Z")
But this is always the case, always has been and always will be, for extended ethnic/religious conflicts like this. There’s a way out, just like there was for Ireland and many others. Not that it’s easy, and not that I have the path… but it is possible. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/119 "2023-10-09T19:14:37Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Anybody remember the Tet Offensive from Vietnam circa 1968? I’m getting some of the same vibes here. The offensive ended up pretty much destroying the Viet Cong as a major combatant (most of the fighting from then on was then done by N. Vietnamese troops) and while the USA/S. Vietnam ‘won’ the battle, the political ramifications in the USA made it one of the things that turned public opinion against the war. Not really the topic of this thread but I feel many people misread the outcome of the Tet Offensive. They feel that the government of North Vietnam and the Viet Cong rebel movement were essentially the same thing. I don’t feel this is true. North Vietnam intended to establish itself as the government of South Vietnam. When it did so, a rebel movement already established in South Vietnam and organized to fight against the government would have been a strong potential rival to the Hanoi government. What Hanoi did in 1968 was convince the Viet Cong to launch open attacks against their joint enemies, the South Vietnamese government and the American military. This caused some damage to those two entities but it effectively eliminated the Viet Cong. But the North Vietnamese government didn’t see the elimination of the Viet Cong as a defeat. For North Vietnam it was a bonus on top of the damage to South Vietnam and America. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277/120 "2023-10-09T19:25:45Z")
I’m curious what people here think will happen next? Israel likely has intelligence on some Hamas agents and places they congregate and they will get a lot of them. But, most Hamas people will fade back into the population. This is terrorist-101. Nothing new. Then what? What comes next? How does Israel resolve this? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-israel-destroy-hamas/991277.md?page=7)