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Source: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-783802
Israel Cannot Afford to Stop the War in Gaza
(Jerusalem Post) Yedidia Stern - Ending the war in Gaza before the overthrow of Hamas rule would likely expose Israel to existential security threats. Former prime minister David Ben-Gurion understood that because Israel is dwarfed by its enemies - in demographic terms (100s of millions vs. less than 10 million), in terms of strategic depth (100s of km. vs. a narrow-waisted land base), and in terms of financial resources - they would be tempted to try, time after time, to destroy us. This is why deterrence is such a crucial element of Israel's security concept. Deterrence forestalls the next round of war for as long as possible. Over time, it may lead our enemies to despair at the prospect of our destruction, thus opening up the possibility of signing peace agreements. Israel's clear victory in the Yom Kippur War, which ended with the IDF positioned 100 km. from Cairo, eventually brought us to a peace treaty with the largest and most formidable of our neighbors. Israel must strive for nothing less than overwhelming victory in its wars. This is the only way to stave off the next war and preserve the peace agreements and informal alliances with various powers in the region and beyond. In its opening salvo, Hamas handed a humiliating defeat to Israel that will not be forgotten. This was also the case in the Yom Kippur War - which began with a failure of the warning system but ended with an overwhelming victory that strengthened Israeli deterrence and effectuated a strategic reconfiguration in the region. Even if the Hamas surrender is delayed, its total collapse as the entity in control of Gaza is essential to preserving Israeli deterrence. If we do not act decisively to complete the task, we will send a signal to the entire region that Israel is vulnerable, and the appetite to wipe us from the map will increase. Those who wish to strengthen Israel's security for future generations must grit their teeth and continue the war until a clear and decisive victory is achieved. The writer is president of the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) and a professor (emeritus) of law at Bar-Ilan University.