In an article in the MEE, David Hirst says that Israel made a big mistake with their actions in Gaza which could lead to the collapse of Israel.

Israel's Moral and Military Disaster

Hirst starts off by saying that Israel's actions in Gaza were not only a moral and military disaster, but they also caused more anger in the Arab world. He mentions how US President Ronald Reagan once called out Israel for their bombing in Beirut and took action to stop it.

Israeli Destruction in Gaza

Hirst compares the extent of Israeli destruction in Gaza to the bombings during World War II. He says that a lot of buildings were destroyed, almost as much as in German cities like Hamburg, Cologne, and Dresden. This level of destruction happened in just two months!

The Weakness in Israeli Thinking

Hirst points out a weakness in Israeli thinking. While the Israeli army believes that killing more people means victory, Hamas sees victory in gaining support from people. He compares this to the French in Algeria, who thought killing more Algerians would help them win the war, but it didn't.

Hamas' Rise in Popularity

Hamas has gained popularity in the Arab and Islamic world as a defender of the Palestinian cause and a fighter against Israel. This is bad news for those who believe that the Palestinian Authority can replace Hamas in Gaza.

A Change in the Middle East

The Israeli attack on Gaza has changed the entire Middle East region, but not in a way that Israel or future governments might benefit from. Hirst believes that this could lead to a continuous state of conflict, preventing Israel from becoming a normal Western-style state.

The Potential Effects of the War

Hirst concludes by saying that the Israeli war government's goal is to bring down Hamas, but after all the destruction, it might actually have the opposite effect and bring down Israel instead.

Source: Middle East Eye