Victor Davis Hanson
American Greatness
Hamas was born and exists to kill Jews, seek the destruction of Israel, and, to some extent, overthrow or subvert pro-Western Arab governments. Period.
For those ends, it diverted billions of dollars from the people of Gaza to build a vast subterranean labyrinth of military headquarters and arsenals. It expropriated hospitals, mosques, and schools for use as tunnel entries and exits, using expendable civilian shields to protect its rich terrorist hierarchy. Hamas always counted on plenty of collateral damage to sway the Western left to become active enablers of its murderous causes—in a way, it is also stone silent on other “occupied land” and “refugees,” from the recent ethnic cleansing in Azerbaijan and Nigeria to the long-standing illegal occupations of Northern Cyprus and swaths of the Congo.
Hamas was willing to execute its Palestinian Authority rivals, cancel all elections after its first and only victory, hold kangaroo death courts to murder dissidents, and steal hundreds of billions of dollars in Western and international relief. It has already violated the ceasefire, attacking and killing Israelis, and now claims it has “lost” the remains of Israeli hostages, whom it likely murdered (and thus does not want more physical evidence of their barbarity).
Hamas will never give up power, despite the fact that its ruling elite is all but wiped out, thousands of its foot soldiers are dead, and it is now loathed by most nations of the Middle East. The subtext of every negotiation over the future of Gaza is that almost every Arab regime privately wants the U.S. or Israel to eliminate Hamas. It is likely more popular at American college campuses, or in Dearborn, Michigan, and New York City—than in the Middle East.
Nonetheless, the remnants of Hamas are already in public view, in SS fashion, publicly executing any alleged critics or rivals. And it hopes to be reinvigorated by the recent release of 1,700 convicted terrorists, most with Hamas ties and many flush with cash for their past killing of Jews.
Hamas’s current strategy?
It hopes first to crush any internal Gaza opposition by liquidating critics, particularly oppositional clans and tribes, before mounting terrorist operations against Israel.
It then expects that Iran and Hezbollah will similarly feign cooperation with moderate Arab regimes and the U.S. to “deescalate” and eventually seek “peace”—until the old ring of fire and its Iranian patronage are rebuilt, and once a Democrat administration in Washington returns. It counts on assistance from an insidious UN, expatriate Arabs and Muslims in the West, Western leftist groups, and suicidal Western governments.
For now, Hamas will limit most of its killing to Gazans who complain about the mass death it brought to Gaza by its murderous rampage against Israelis on October 7, or small groups of Israeli peacekeepers.
So, given that peace is impossible with Hamas in the negotiations, who or what is going to eradicate Hamas as it seeks to return to its accustomed killing and terrorism?
If it is allowed power in Gaza, either solely or as part of a coalition, then the entire “peace process” is doomed. To grant it semi-legitimacy would be analogous to allowing the surviving Nazi apparat to participate in a postwar German democracy, or Tojo and his militarists to help rebuild Japan.
There are three entities who bear the responsibility to end Hamas under the new peace accords: the moderate Arab regimes of the Gulf, Egypt, Jordan, and perhaps Turkey, along with the U.S. and Israel. All of them wish Hamas to vanish as much as they fear doing so themselves. So while it is far-fetched that the three forces would act in concert to finish off Hamas, it is incumbent upon them not to prevent any of the others from crushing Hamas at its first sign of regrouping to doom the peace.
In practical terms, that reality likely means that Israel must finish off Hamas, with full U.S. support—and tacit Arab acquiescence. But key to the present ceasefire and possible peace is a comprehensive plan to anticipate Hamas’s return to terrorism.
One, Hamas’s entire underground complex must be destroyed as a prerequisite for any rebuilding of Gaza. The tunnels should be blown up, collapsed, and filled with the rubble of the war Hamas precipitated.
Two, before Hamas returns to its accustomed killing, it is also important that both Turkey and Qatar expel what’s left of its leadership. Qatar fears another Israeli strike on the Hamas terrorists residing in its territory. So it now seeks U.S. protection, given that all its enemies, neutrals, and friends are tired of its triple-dealing.
The Trump administration is apparently offering Qatar a life raft with the status of a protectorate. But the Trump administration should first insist that the Qataris disown Hamas and bar the group from its borders. The same with Turkey, over which the Trump administration has some considerable leverage.
Three, no Arab, Western, or UN aid money should be sent anywhere near Gaza without assurances that Hamas is barred from appropriating it.
Four, anyone with Hamas ties, formal or informal, should be prohibited from entering the U.S. and the EU and their Western allies.
Five, because Hamas has already been branded a terrorist organization for the past 28 years, U.S. campuses should finally be warned that student participation in pro-terrorist demonstrations championing Hamas would be equivalent to rapid expulsion. Businesses, NGOs, and fronts that empower Hamas should be warned that they will be debanked, fined, and prosecuted. In the West, Hamas should be further rebranded as a pariah no different from ISIS.
Six, no sanctions should be lifted from Iran until the end of its nuclear program is verified, and it ceases all funding of Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. The quickest way for the bankrupt theocracy to implode is to keep it under sanctions and embargoes while it shorts its own people in stealthy attempts to fund its terrorist tentacles—a suicidal trajectory that alone might lead the Iranian street or military to turn on the theocracy.
The chief obstacle to Phase II of the ceasefire and hostage exchange is the elimination of Hamas. Otherwise, we are at a rare moment of opportunity in the Middle East, where the once unimaginable has become a reality.
Iran, for now, is broke, defenseless, humiliated, and discredited.
Russia has lost its Syrian client and any foothold in the Middle East, and is still trapped in its forever Ukraine War.
China has bet on the wrong Middle East horse.
Hezbollah is still shell-shocked and dismembered.
The equally untrustworthy Palestinian Authority nevertheless sees an opportunity finally to turn on its rival Hamas.
So there is a rare opportunity for the U.S., the Arabs, and Israel finally to forge a peace without the fear of foreign-funded, nihilist terrorism—but only for the moment and solely if the last obstacle, the terrorists of October 7 who prompted the last two years of war and death, are finally disarmed, discredited, humiliated, and eliminated.
Good morning, Prof. Hansen. Good Shabbos. And I hope you’re feeling better.
To all those above who have lethal advice to the Israelis about handling Palestinian prisoners: most are released back to the West Bank. Many are already rearrested. The only death penalty Israel imposes is for Nazi murderers like Eichmann.. And he went to his grave shouting that he rejoiced in the murder of 6 million Jews, so what’s the use: Israel will quietly eliminate those Palestinians who are still dangerous. Many Palestinian killers and rapists have been identified and killed, names and pictures made public. Hammas’ present claim that they have 20,000 men in Gaza does not mention that most are untrained youth, but that doesn’t make them less lethal, just less organized.
Thank you for your support.
One cannot ‘make peace’ with a rabid dog. You just put them down to protect earth’s other species. Hamas members are rabid humans, and the solution to the ‘Hamas problem’ is obvious. But killing thousands of Muslims, who represent ‘collateral damage’ in the Gaza Strip, is not the answer to the ‘Hamas problem’ either.
Why do HAMAS militants where green camo in a barren wasteland?
It’s incongruous that the billionaire leadership has been allowed to hole up in Qatar and it’s no coincidence that peace talks occurred after Israel hit them. It’s a pity they avoided destruction. But I don’t like the vacuum that is now apparent in Gaza. Where’s the urgency in enforcing the ceasefire? The rats have skulked back underground for now but they will still need to be crushed.
Hello Professor Hanson, I have been reading and viewing your teaching and analysis of Middle Eastern battles for years. Almost no one is discussing all the thousands of dollars Qatar has been giving to our universities which fund far left ideologies. We have seen the outcome of the brain washing that has taken place in all the Pro Hamas protests. How can we make this stop? It is pathetic and cannot continue because it encourages hatred of our country. I hope Hamas is destroyed and will disappear from our world. Thank you for helping. Robbin Close/California
It is confusing to mywwhy Israel, very pragmatic, very smart country, would house 1700 prisoners, only to give them back to Hamas in exchange for their hostages. If the more dangerous of these 1700 had been executed shortly after capture, one could be assured they would never kill another Jew.
Solution, that is. Chubby fingers
I see a simple solition. Send in peacekeeping soldiers, if you can find any from the 2statesolution retards in britain, australia, canada and france. No takers? What a shame.
I forgot to mention in my previous comment that the 2000+ Palestinian murderers that Israel traded for just 20 hostages should be rounded up and summarily shot any time Israeli soldiers (or civilians) are ambushed and killed. Here’s a formula: Kill an Israeli? Israel kills 500 ‘released’ Palestinian prisoners. Announce it and make it so.
Go ‘full Roman’ on them. It’s the only language the Palestinians understand.
Israel should find whatever remains of Hamas leadership and have a series of 21st-Century “Nuremburg Trials” with public execution (hanging? firing squad?) of convicted Hamas war criminals (and they’re ALL criminals). The trials should be used to expose Hamas atrocities, with plenty of public relations work, propaganda (in the best sense of the word), and exposure of the evil that Hamas represents.
There were no ‘good Nazis” and there is no ‘good Hamas’.
I wish brainwashed college students and others would realize that pro Palestinian means anti Hamas and those wishing the destruction of Israel – Hamas and their Islamist ideology is the oppressor and Islam is an apartheid system with one set of rules for Muslims and a different set for all others.
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The various other Arab states are proving their untrustworthiness by (maybe) being willing to have Israel and the US wipe out Hamas. Why the hell don’t these countries do it? Or at a minimum contribute to the effort? And Abbas yet again proves his untrustworthiness by maintaining his “pay to slay” program. The 2000 scum that Israel had to release to get back its 20 sickly hostages are young fighters, many/most/all, who will be paid handsomely by the POS Abbas. So Hamas will build back up.
It’s too bad that the Nobel Peace Prize voters didn’t give their reward to Miss Venezuela a few weeks before the ”deal” in the Middle East, so Trump could have unleashed the IDF against the Hamas remnants.
Victor: Sorry, in my previous post I neglected to make a request pertaining to Germany’s U-Boat attacks on the US East coast/Gulf and Caribbean waters. As the son of two veterans of WWII I enjoy every one of your podcasts relating to the war. The book I just completed titled ‘Operation Drumbeat’ was a fantastic read on the history of U-Boat missions in the above waters. One item in the book of particular note; the author states that the Battle of the Atlantic was equivalent to the attack on Pearl Harbor in scope and ignorance of our military leadership at the time. I would welcome your views in an upcoming podcast and thanks to you, Sami and Jack for all your insights and common sense logic.
I think the fundamental problem is Hamas is simply being faithful to the Quran and the best and most widely accepted of the Hadith, the Sunnah. !Same goes for many other Muslim groups, past and present, like ISIS and the Taliban.) I don’t even think it’s helpful to distinguish between radical Muslims and moderate Muslims. It’s really more about how observant the Muslim is. The more observant, the more radical; the less observant, the less radical. Something along those lines.
These tribal people will never stop fighting, the jihadist death cult versus the Chosen people. In the end, love does conquer all, but not in this case.
just like their forebears, the hananazis must be driven hard to unconditional surrender or be all sent to their 72 virgins.
the latter will have a more lasting effect on peace
Ah, PEACE in the Middle East? I believe we all have a better chance of seeing an alien spacecraft land in DC and whisk away Chuck Schumer, Adam Schiff, AOC and Hakeem Jeffries!! I prefer the latter to the former frankly speaking at this point in time.
One state solution, and that will be Israel, not radical Islamist from the river to the sea.
islam is not a religion. It’s an ideology of hate ! mohammad was a pervert not a prophet !!
Certainly the iron is hot but my guess is that Hamas will slow roll the “peace process” indefinitely in an attempt to hold onto power
Perhaps there would be a chance for success if the culture of the Middle East (including Hamas and the people of Gaza) could tap into advertisement techniques in order to “create a market.” Then, they might be persuaded to desire a future that is worth living. It begins with good stories, cultivation of magnanimity, short videos of kindness and happiness among people. All this and more as a back-drop for a different kind of education, a curriculum of education in right reason and human virtue. The late French author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, gave us a blueprint for how to achieve this goal: “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea”
Excellent plan – anything less will see use slowly return to the “status quo” of Hamas terror
This is a rational plan, but I fear it is also a futile one since no one appears willing, except the Israelis, to do what is necessary. Time to put our action on the line and eliminate this menace to society at large.
Agree with Mr. Newton’s comment. The long journey to peace requires Islam’s removing politics from the Quran, beginning with forswearing Muhammed’s Hadiths; and Hamas complete elimination.
Never going to happen. Hamas is a death cult and supported by many Gazans.
Part of me would suggest that the eschatology of Hamas, ISIS etc. is based on some middle age idea of heaven. I do not think many people in Gaza accept that life on earth can be wonderful and worth living and the rewards of heaven can be partially enjoyed today. If you think life is miserable and joy will be enjoyed after death when you kill a jew, what can you work with to achive peace? In the mind of a Hamas fighter or support it is your death, and if they die in the process then the rewards are greater.