Hamas cannot save itself from military destruction on the battlefield. That might not be obvious to everyone, so it’s worth saying it loud. If given the order, the IDF will take Rafah and eventually find and kill Sinwar in the tunnels. There are two paths to survival for Hamas: Psychological warfare (hostage diplomacy) and information warfare (using its disinformation network, which includes the UN, to influence western media and the White House). These are its 11th hour weapons and they are wielding both of them. Given the trauma of October 7 and the large number of fallen IDF soldiers whose families want to see the state finish the mission of destroying Hamas, the psychological warfare - while still potent - is achieving mixed results. A temporary ceasefire with a hostage deal may yet materialize, but it will be due to several factors. The information war is working with greater effect - particularly since the White House began its obsession with virtue signaling to Dearborn, Michigan. And that has opened the floodgate for ideological zealotry inside several news organizations. I suspect the recent Harvard/Harris poll showing overwhelming US support for Israel is also sending these zealots into hyperdrive. If any checks on irresponsible coverage were put in place after Israel was falsely accused of bombing a hospital last fall, they have been removed or are being ignored. Editors and producers might need a refresher. The Hamas Gaza Health Ministry claims are not verifiable. The UN agencies operating in Gaza do not recognize Hamas as a terrorist group. The top UN coordinator of aid recently said Hamas is merely a political group. Several UN agencies have been found complicit in Hamas war crimes. Claims made by such groups in Gaza should be viewed, shall we say, skeptically. Many local Gaza “reporters” and stringers have been exposed for their Hamas ties. Again - strong skepticism is needed if that’s your sourcing. John Kirby fought these sources and so many false narratives for months but he has been overrun by ideological dissenters within the administration and the campaign team, which is apparently still more afraid of Dearborn, Michigan than swing voters in every other battleground suburb. On October 9, I wrote the following in a NY Post column: “Washington’s support for dead Jews is nice, but it’s not going to destroy the terror axis that carried out this massacre. The question now is whether the White House or Congress will support the living Jews who fight to keep on living.” That remains the fundamental question.
See Tweet