Wars are immensely complicated human endeavors, and the arrogance of assuming that one's enemy's plans are understandable and manageable is tremendously dangerous.

The ancient Greeks understood that rather well...

Hubris --> Atis --> Nemesis --> Tisis

That sad progression applies perfectly to Israel's military and political hierarchy with respect to Hamas and, to a lesser extent, Hezbollah. For a generation, Israel was willing to accept a certain level of terror attacks against its people, assuming that Hamas accepted that status quo because of the existential risks of all-out war. They also assumed that the the luxurious lives lived by the leaders (and their families) of Hamas in Qatar meant that they did not want to jeopardize that comfort for some unlikely success against Israel's modern military.

Israel also assumed that the oceans of oil money pouring into western capitals and universities would have only limited influence on the support for Israel in America and Europe. In addition, Israel felt that their incredible technological advantages would protect them against internet-based attacks.

And then Israel made tactical decisions that the border with Gaza could be defended with a small, lightly armed force plus automation and high-tech sensor systems. Their intelligence apparatus assumed that they would learn about and be able to defuse any large-scale attack.

Israel's leadership was wrong on all counts, and the catastrophe of October 7, 2023 could have been much worse had the Arab and Muslim propensity for backstabbing, disloyalty, and craven self-interest not held true. Hezbollah did not join the attack until the next day, and they launched rockets but did not attack with troops. Iran did not launch missiles, the Houthis did not launch missiles or drones, and the only real and successful support for Hamas came from the entrenched terror-supporting organizations in the West, on college campuses and in the streets of blue cities.

The profound failure on all Israeli fronts was mitigated by tremendous bravery among the few military personnel who were able to respond, the police, and the relatively few armed civilians who saw the reality on the ground that was still being denied by Israel's elites.

But the damage to Israel's ethos of self defense was profound. But it also came with the realization that Israel's left was simply wrong about the concept of trading land for peace, and more importantly, they were absolutely wrong that there is any accommodation to be made with the 7th century savages whose holy texts command them to kill Jews; who see Jews as subhuman; who consider Israel to be an unconquered part of their Caliphate.

And that sea change, if it survives, will be the basis for a new strategic imperative in Israel. Waiting and watching and attacking only when absolutely necessary may work for awhile, but eventually, one of Israel's many enemies will succeed. And accepting some sort of low-level of terrorist activity in the interests of some tortured geopolitical consideration was just shown to be arrant nonsense.

The first step must be to hunt down every single one of those who perpetrated the October 7th Pogrom. Even if it takes 50 years and Israel kills a grandfather on his deathbed...that must be done.

The second step must be a significant reevaluation of the decision making that leads to defensive strikes against its enemies. Israel waited too long against Iran. Israel waited too long against the Houthis. Israel waited too long against the Hamas leadership in Qatar. Israel may have waited too long to go into Gaza in force! How many hostages could have been saved had they not titrated and equivocated for two years?

Islam must be put on notice that any attacks on Israel and Jews throughout the world will be met force. And any attacks being planned will be met with force as early as possible. And no level of terrorist activity will be tolerated.

Yes...the world opprobrium will be savage, but how different would it be compared to today? Israel will be vilified no matter what it does, and if they are vilified before a monstrous attack such as October 7th (or worse) occurs, isn't that better than being vilified for its response?