In the aftermath of the devastating events on October 6, Israel found itself at a critical juncture, grappling with the aftermath of a tragedy that deeply shook the nation. The potential paths forward were numerous—fortifying barriers, conducting thorough inquiries, and revamping intelligence efforts in Gaza. However, the intricate tapestry of public opinion in Israel, torn between the desire to eliminate terrorists and the impulse to free hostages, has influenced the hesitant pauses in the country’s military response.

As the success of Israel’s military assault raises significant questions about its endgame in Gaza, proposals abound—from a Saudi-backed plan suggesting the relocation of Hamas leadership to Algiers to the deployment of Arab peacekeeping forces under a UN mandate. Yet, the practical implementation of these ideas appears elusive. The notion of a two-state solution, often touted, grapples with the complexities of the turbulent Middle East.

Navigating this complex landscape, Israel faces a spectrum of choices in its ongoing campaign, ranging from a potential full reoccupation of Gaza to a partial or complete withdrawal. The challenge extends beyond defeating Hamas as an organization; it involves reckoning with the enduring influence of Hamas as an idea. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s aspiration for “total victory” over Hamas presents a complex dilemma, demanding a nuanced approach to address both tangible and ideological dimensions of the conflict.The more successful Israel’s military assault is, the bigger a question that follows will become. Namely, having won its campaign in Gaza, what will Israel do with it?

However, amidst these deliberations, the looming danger is that the Gaza conflict might transcend into a broader regional conflagration. The implications stretch beyond immediate concerns of extremism and anti-Semitism, infiltrating economic and geopolitical landscapes. Settlement pushes on the West Bank and heightened hostilities between Israel and Iran’s proxies further complicate the situation.The potential impact here runs wider and deeper than the extremism, anti-Semitism, closures and disorder seen on the streets of our cities during recent months.

In the face of these intricate dynamics, suggestions of an ironclad version of containment emerge, underscoring the complexities of managing conflicts in the volatile Middle East. It is a delicate dance, navigating the intricacies of geopolitical chess while acknowledging the formidable challenges that lie ahead. None of this is easy, and the road to resolution remains uncertain in the ever-shifting sands of the region.