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The Only Way to Stop Hamas Is to Stop Iran from Rebuilding It

(Los Angeles Times) Michael Singh and Matthew Levitt - As talk in Western capitals has already turned to the "day after" in Gaza, Iran will be focused on rebuilding Hamas and preparing for the next war. If Israel and its allies aim to prevent a repeat of the Oct. 7 attack, they must counter Tehran. The U.S. and Israel have faced this scenario before. In July 2006, Hizbullah, Iran's favorite proxy, attacked Israel in an operation that resembled Oct. 7 in miniature (including the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers). Jerusalem's response left Hizbullah's capabilities severely degraded, but the group nonetheless touted its survival as a "divine victory." It is now stronger than it was before 2006 and is back to attacking Israel. If it were possible to utterly destroy the Hamas we know today, Iran would find other extremists to take up its flag, and then fund and equip them. Iran will also be vigilant against Palestinians brave enough to stand up for peace; Tehran will seek to kill them. Being free of Hamas means not only defeating the group itself, but also frustrating Iranian efforts to revive or replicate it. Michael Singh is director of the program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Matthew Levitt is director of the institute's program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
2024-02-02 00:00:00
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