An unnecessary defeat, too, that Trump, of all people, forced upon them.
“For the fist time, Israel just lost a war,” by David K. Rees, Times of Israel, January 15, 2025:
For 16 years, Israel has been forced to fight war after war in order to defend itself. It won the wars in 1948, 1967, and 1973. It fought Hezbollah to a draw in 2006.
That has just changed. The peace deal it just cut with Hamas was clearly a win for Hamas and a loss for Israel. No wonder people in Gaza are cheering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SRcKSUa558This is what Hamas won in this war:
1. It turned world opinion against Israel.
2. It has negotiated the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, many of whom have been sentenced to life terms.
2. While some of its leaders were killed, they will be replaced with new ones.
3. While many of its fighters were killed, according press reports, Hamas has been rebuilding its fighting wing, which now has 12,000 soldiers in Gaza.
4. Hamas has proved that Israel is willing to give up huge amounts to get a small amount in return.
5. Hamas gets to claim proudly that the October 7, 2023 massacre brought about terrific results. In fact, Israel is weaker now than it was on October 6, 2023.
6. It really pays to take hostages.
7. While much of Gaza has been destroyed, the world is about to provide huge sums in order to rebuild it. One can expect that a significant amount of these sums will indirectly wind up in Hamas’ coffers.
8. Hamas will still control Gaza. UNRWA will remain as it has been.
9. The war has created a serious rift between Israel and the United States.
10. Initially, Hamas will only have to release three hostages. It will have to release 4 more hostages shortly after that. During phase one of the deal, only a total of 33 hostages will be released. Israel may trade more Palestinian prisoners being held by Hamas for more hostages after that. Thus, at the end of phase one of the deal, Hamas will be able to continue to hold roughly 30 hostages, some of whom may already be dead.
10. Israel has failed in its objectives as stated at the beginning of the war, which included the total elimination of Hamas in Gaza.
11. It pays to commit war crimes, including not only the war crimes that Hamas committed during the October 7th massacre, but by firing thousands of missiles into Israel, every one of them a war crime.
12. The cost to Israel of this war has been enormous. Not only has Hamas been able to kill over 400 Israeli soldiers in Gaza since the October 7th massacre, but Israel’s national debt has increased substantially and its economy has been hurt as well. It has been estimated that Israel’s economic activity has been reduced over 20% by the war.
13. While Israel will get some respite from Hamas forces in Gaza, it still has the remaining parts of Iran’s axis of resistance, including the Houthis and Hamas on the West Bank, and Iran, to deal with.
14. Israel will begin to to withdraw its troops from Gaza and, for now, the killing will cease….
MEL says
I really can’t understand why Trump wants to takd so much credit for the deal/crime.
It’s Biden’s plan that was presented about 6 months ago. It stunk then and it stinks
now. So I don’t understand Trumps attitude on this.
Israel won this war, but now we have helped the Palestinians win the Peace.
A lousy deal that will allow Gaza and Hamas to rebuild and try to do the same
thig again. There is no hope for peace with them because they do not want it.
They have repeated the commentary that this will be repeated until they are the
victors. The only good thing about this deal is the release of all of the hostages
if it lasts that long. The pity is that lmany died and Hamas has not been destoyed,
and their forces will be strengthened with the release of the terrorists from the
Israeli jails.
Fortunately Israel keeps a pretty good control of where these people are and
hopefully they will be targeted first if this deal/criime falls apart.
Peacelover says
‘can’t understand why Trump wants to take so much credit for the deal/crime.’….Maybe he does it simply because in His mind(and some others) it makes him look good,like part ‘savior’. I like him as President but Not his attitude on this. I Do appreciate/understand how the families of the hostages must feel but still,maybe the ‘big picture’ needs to be taken into consideration first and foremost. Who am I though? Not the one that knows all or the smartest,
carpediadem says
He wants credit because his Qatar-cash receiving guy pressured Netanyahu and his Lebanese relatives will take a bigger role in his Mjd East connection.
gravenimage says
Actuall,y this appalling deal does not even allow for the release of all the hostages.
somehistory says
Yes, this “deal” was more akin to a union contract than a ‘hostage negotiation.’
In a **true** negotiation for the release of hostages, which by hostages are meant *victims* of two crimes at the very least. One, kidnapping, and two, holding against their will, those holding the hostages are recognized as criminals and treated accordingly.
In a *true* negotiation, the criminal gets caught and punished….but nothing more. He doesn’t get freedom, money, transportation, immunity, and a chance to commit the same crimes again.
This entire thing is enough to make honest people sick to the stomach.
When biden pulled the military out of afghanistan, leaving behind Americans, billions in equipment and weapons, 13 military members were murdered….and biden called it a ‘success.’
and those who lost loved ones to that war, may well think/feel they lost them for absolutely nothing.
Some who lost loved ones to this war with islam, mozlums, pure evil, may now feel the same way.
Russ Wivell says
Yes but the word Hamas will live on in infamy for a 1000 years or more/.
carpediadem says
Only to normal people, a rapidly decreasing proportion of the population.
gravenimage says
+1
Ralph says
Israel will not withraw from the Gaza Strip.
Will Hamas be able or allowed (i.e. by the US ) to rule it ) ?
What will happen once the Israeli hostages will be released ?
Can the life of the Palestinians after the war be considered a victory by the Gazans themselves?
Peacelover says
Really disappointed in Trump on this.
tom parry says
On Oct 8th all of palistine closed , no aid only woman and children can leave. Lefties cry, a month, later or so hamas will die or surrender. GAME OVER
Thinker1 says
Well, boys, let’s let Israel decide if it is a good deal.
Rick Gordon says
A horrible result. The loss of world support – especially in the west is the direct result of media bias. Israeli dysfunction in the Knesset and cabinet come from its parliamentary system that gives control to extremist coalition parties.
I do not like the US being the partner of last resort for Israel, but that is the situation that we’ve been put in from the prior US administration’s behavior.
Alex Lund says
If I were Israel I would give those terrorists a nice present by injection before I would release them.
Something that make them drop dead – in some time.
Karen Dowden says
Excellent summary and a very sad day. Bad bad decision by Trump. I am so disappointed.
Just to wait and see how long now to get all hostages back and worse, how long befpre Israel is again attacked.
What a sad day!!
Hermes says
The dumb jews fell for the arab trick– provoke massive and bloody retaliation so that the whole world may see it on social Media. All the Jews had to do was retrict water and electricity use and play the victim
gravenimage says
Jews are not “dumb”–Israel was just backed into a corner and little choice but to accept this bad deal.
And Israelis were not “playing the victim”–they *really were* victimized on 10/7.
Peacelover says
+ gravenimage
gravenimage says
14 reasons why the ceasefire deal is a defeat for Israel
…………………………………………….
Sad;y true. I think that President Trump considers it a brilliant deal–but unfrtunately he does not understand the Hudna and sacralization of lying to Infidels in Islam.