Israel Goes on the Offensive in Gaza After Shocking Hamas Invasion - WSJ

The article is paywalled. I accessed it through Apple News+.

The enemy does not understand the language of humanity and morals, so we will address him in the language he knows

And on the other side:

We are fighting barbarians and will respond accordinglyCNN

Neither side is recognizing the other’s humanity. Hamas has stated that they don’t consider settlers to be civilians but combatants, but a massacre of unarmed combatants at a rave is still a massacre. And Israel’s record of dealing with the Palestinians speaks for itself.

…The hostages taken by Hamas complicate the situation for the Israeli forces. Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida claimed that Israeli bombing had already killed four hostages held by his group; it wasn’t possible to verify his claim. Other captives include American, European and Asian nationals.

This is going to be a long, grueling, bloody fight if they enter Gaza, and if they do, what will happen to the hostages? The hostages are the real wrinkle here. If there is a broadcast execution, and please, let there not be one, but if there is, how will Israel respond? More importantly, how will Israelis respond to their government’s response?

“This is not an in and out…It will take months,” said Wurmer. “You’re going to see a fundamental shift, and precedents are irrelevant at this point…”

…Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman, said the military would try to minimize collateral damage but that there has been “a change in paradigm.”

The innocents of Gaza are about to get caught up in the same storm that swept down on the dancers at the music festival.

Israel Goes on the Offensive in Gaza After Shocking Hamas Invasion - WSJ