Ok. Thanks. That sounds like a plausible analysis that fits reality.

The Arab countries will settle for nothing less than the eradication of Israel. The Palestinian crisis creates a continual low-level war with Israel. They've made temporary peace treaties with Israel, but they would invade and conquer Israel the moment they think they can win.

Who does it benefit: The Arab countries, who force Israel to spend military effort on the Palestinians instead of other productive uses. It also creates bad press for Israel in Western media.

I understood these facts separately but that ties it together. Palestine and Hamas are the sword's leading edge of Islamic pressure on Israel.

Israel is in a no-win situation. ...

Certainly. All obvious.

If Israel tries to wipe out Hamas, that is impossible without substantial civilian casualties in Gaza, which makes Israel look bad according to defective Western morality. If Israel offers a ceasefire before wiping out Hamas, that just gives Hamas time to rearm for their next attack. Even if Israel wipes out Hamas, most of the Palestinian population still hates Israel and Jews, so the problem will remain unsolved.

Sucks to be Israel!

But it sounds like Palestinians think it's pretty great and heroic and assures their martyrdom to stay located in Gaza.

Maybe Israel could forcibly airlift all Gazans to the South Shetland Islands.