Israeli withdrawal will leave Hamas empty-handed
Contrary to the two previous conflicts with Israel — when Hamas depicted the outcome as a great achievement — this time, the number of casualties and the destruction in the Gaza Strip will not allow it to claim victory.
The unilateral withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, as decided upon by the Cabinet on Aug. 2, was the default choice. Any decision regarding Gaza would have to be the least of all possible evils.
Hamas suffered a harsh blow, but its military forces did not collapse, and its regime was not toppled. This is not because the mission had an impossible goal, but because once again Israel preferred to make do with excruciating deterrence instead.
