oatmeal#Israel / Gaza is only the beginning, Ben Gvir and Smotrich's goal is to "cleanse" the West Bank of Palestinians and clear the Al-Aqsa mosque of its Muslim worshippers [Ehud Olmert]
[...] The supreme goal of Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich is not primarily the conquest of the Gaza Strip. Nor is the settlement of the ruins of #Gaza the cherished aim of this group of messianic fanatics who have seized power in the State of Israel. Gaza is the introductory chapter, the platform they want to build as a foundation from which to wage the real campaign on which they have set their sights: the battle for the West Bank and the Temple Mount.
[...] Ultimately (or perhaps initially) #Netanyahu is willing to forgo the captives and undermine the peace treaties with #Egypt and #Jordan which are a fundamental pillar of Israel's security infrastructure. He is willing to undermine relations with the #US to the point of an open crisis with the most committed president in history to Israel's security, Joe #Biden. Netanyahu understands that the continued reckless unravelling will isolate Israel in the international community as never before.
[...] As hard as it is, there is no escaping saying it: Netanyahu, this will end in much bloodshed. You have been warned.
#Haaretz [Hebrew] https://www.haaretz.co.il/opinions/2024-02-21/ty-article-opinion/.premium/0000018d-cb2e-d6e9-a38d-fb3f6b640000 or https://archive.md/Ol7rJ
* Olmert was Israel's prime minister from 2006 to 2009
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