The ongoing battle against Hamas: Israel's strategic calamity

Experts say it is unlikely that Hamas can be completely eliminated by military means. Hamas is not just a militant organization but also a social movement with mass support in the Gaza Strip. While Israel has the resources to degrade Hamas and hunt down its leaders, weakening Hamas may be the best that can be expected. Very few national militaries have managed to decisively defeat guerrilla organizations in the past, and attempts to destroy such groups have often led to the emergence of more extremist factions. Destroying Hamas by military means may fuel the cycle of violence and resentment, and the push to do so will likely destroy what is left of Gaza.