Eradicating Hamas is an unrealistic goal.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that the war in Gaza should persist until Hamas is eradicated is flawed and risky. An ideology cannot be eradicated by killing individuals. Hamas is not a tangible object, but rather an ideology that emerged and evolved during Israel’s 55-year occupation and blockade of Gaza. The ongoing war only serves to increase Hamas’ popularity among Palestinians and their supporters. Continuing the war puts the hostages in great danger, and both the Palestinian and Israeli people will continue to suffer and lose their lives, with the added risk of escalating violence in the entire region.