Israel can get the US to back Rafah invasion by saving civilians with innovation

Israel is in a bind. Most defense and political leaders know that leaving Rafah and its terrorist network uncaptured would be viewed by Israel’s enemies as a victory for Hamas and would increase the likelihood that adversaries would challenge Israel in the future, whether from Tehran, Southern Lebanon, Damascus, Ramallah, or Gaza City. 

Israel’s casualties of the war would have died for little if Hamas were to bounce back and were seen as the victor. Israeli society is traumatized, and it will not begin to recover unless Hamas is defeated and Israel’s hostages return home. 

A pause to return the hostages is likely to turn into a permanent ceasefire, with the Biden administration pressuring Israel to stop fighting and, if necessary, to end its ammunition supply lines to make it happen. The US administration is already genuflecting at the feet of Arab-American voters and progressives to win swing states.