https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/395575

That's just one of many reports.

I have total sympathy with the family of anyone killed in this conflict. That does not mean policy should be based on what they say. I agree a deal would be wonderful, but after those six hostages were found shot in the head after being on a list to be traded, kiss off any serious possibility of a deal that involves a ceasefire or release of prisoners from Israeli jails.

I see one deal: Hamas releases all hostages and all Hamas except the indicted ones leave Gaza in exchange for promises not to be harmed so long as they stay away. Then a proper civil authority of Gazans can be formed.

That may not be a solution that pleases everyone, but it sure seems like a plan that would be greeted enthusiastically by hostage families, and civilians on both sides of the border. The losers would be Hamas, who will cease to have any role or purpose, and will be evicted from the luxury villas the top dogs get in Doha, and also Netanyahu, whose hold would disappear and he'd go back on trial.

We're not fighting war against one of Sun Tzu's organized, professional armies.

If Israel were dealing with real generals and real diplomats and real governments, this would have been settled by now. Notice how Israel has treaties and full diplomatic relations with nations like Egypt, Jordan, and lower-level but important ones with the Gulf States, Morocco, even Sudan. All of those nations long ago abandoned the lunacy of wishing Israel did not exist, and have come to treat Israel pretty much like they treat each other, which means, trust but verify.

No, we're not dealing with a brilliant strategist who fought for one of the early Chinese states around 2500 years ago. We're not dealing with a typical Middle Eastern state, which in the end, almost always exercise pragmatism over senseless dogma.

We are dealing with terrorist scum, just indicted for the murder of 40 innocent Americans on one day alone, October 7, 2023.