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For those who are confused or suffering from amnesia, take a close look at the scenes from Gaza. Once again, the Gazan crowd has reminded us of its nature, uncontrollable impulses and priorities.
Sadly, the number of uninvolved civilians in Gaza is negligible, if any, and the images from the Strip are just more proof of that. Whenever given the chance to attack a Jew — or better yet, murder one — they take it.
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

Hamas terrorists during hostage transfer on Thursday
(Photo: AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
I've seen Gazans up close during long months of reserve duty. While I was near the terrorists among them, I learned from their words about the broader mentality, worldview and social norms. This question preoccupied me: What drives them socially? What are their motivations?
After all, if they had chosen a different path, they could have had much better lives. The answers are grim, but one of the lessons of October 7 is that even harsh truths must be spoken. They can no longer be swept under the rug — otherwise, they'll ambush us from under there, riding on trucks packed with gunmen.
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Why is it that when a terrified Arbel Yehoud walks among armed mobs, the shouts erupt: "Allahu Akbar"? They're not rejoicing over a cease-fire that should ease their dire material conditions. They're not even celebrating the release of senior terrorists under the deal.
That religious chant points to the heart of the matter: They shout "Allahu Akbar" because Arbel is just a footnote in a centuries-old system of unbridled hatred toward the Jewish people.
This understanding must shape our entire approach to the Gazan enemy — our strategy and tactics in war. The truth is their hatred is ingrained. If we don't internalize this, we waste our time, endanger our children's lives and doom ourselves to endless frustration. If we don't realize this, we have no place in the Middle East.
The harsh reality is that this is a religious war — not a conflict over land or resources. It's a battle of good versus evil and anyone deluding themselves otherwise will not survive here. This is pure, generational hatred, from the days of Muhammad to the modern disciples of Mohammed Deif.
The Gazans aren’t interested in rebuilding their territory but in fulfilling what they see as a divine command: to kill, harm, destroy and bring suffering and death to us, the "infidels."
For those of us who understand the enemy — or have woken up to reality since the war — the mission is clear: we must pressure both our political and military leadership to pursue our enemies relentlessly. As many as possible should be expelled under international auspices and those who remain must face constant pressure until they change.
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There's only one solution: keep winning. Nations can change — it happened in history to those who persecuted our ancestors, it happened to the Japanese and it happened to the Germans. The answer is to keep striking our enemy while taking full control of Gaza, including all governing systems.
We will have to take over the enclave's education system and ensure that a reeducation process begins — what was once called "denazification" must become "de-jihadization."
Maybe, generations from now, the remaining Gazans will be fit to govern themselves — but only after they've undergone a profound, total transformation. Until then, we must hold the reins. Otherwise, we won’t survive here.