This "war" has me thoroughly confused. Not taking sides, nor taking a "both sides" stance. Struggling to look at this logically.

What does anyone expect either side to do here? For the sake of argument, let's ignore the history (as much as possible) and the coulda/shoulda talk. It's 01/12/24. Moving forward, what now?

• Hamas is deeply embedded in the civilian infrastructure and population. Militarily being the underdogs, that's sensible for them.
• Hamas does not play "fair". And again, as underdogs, it would be insane to expect them to do so. Not like they're going to strap on a uniform. Would you?
• Israel is righteously enraged. Of course they are.
• Israel's troopers and leadership have a, "Kill 'em all, let god sort 'em out." attitude. And they've made that plain. Fair or not, I get the emotion.
• Israel feels if they don't smash Hamas flat, the terrorism will continue over and over again for another several decades. That seems true to me. Has been my whole life.

Can't see any way either side "wins" this thing. And what does winning even look like? I can't see an end of this until one side or the other is kicked out of the Levant. Does that mean genocide? Seems like it. And Israel isn't exactly denying it with their actions.

I've never seen a conflict where I felt so hopeless for a permanent resolution. All the times I've seen peace brought to the table, wrecked, over and over and over again.

FWIW, I wish my country (US) would stop pumping arms and money to Israel. I cannot justify our aid in any way. This is Israel's fight, for good or for evil.