Despite deploying substantial force against the Palestinian Hamas movement, Israel appears to be losing momentum in the Gaza Strip due to heavy casualties and growing international criticism of its operations. This assessment comes from a respected British newspaper columnist, Paul Rogers.
According to the columnist, Israel is fighting a war it may not win, while Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government show little willingness to acknowledge this reality. He cites multiple indicators suggesting increasing difficulties for the Israeli side, including questions over the IDF’s ability to prove Hamas HQs at Shifa Hospital and the struggle to locate Israeli captives.
The columnist also notes a striking episode in which Hamas forces launched a remarkably well-timed ambush in the IDF-controlled areas of Gaza on December 12, inflicting casualties on an IDF unit and highlighting vulnerabilities in operation plans.
A few days later, additional developments added to the narrative of Israeli setbacks, as three Israeli hostages managed to escape from Hamas captivity. Rogers, however, contends that those escapees were subsequently killed by Israeli soldiers, underscoring tensions and disputed outcomes on the ground.
In this climate, criticism of Israel has intensified from international actors, including former British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who warned of long-term consequences potentially spanning decades.
Earlier reports indicated that a broad share of Palestinian civilians were located in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, underscoring the humanitarian dimension of the conflict and the complexity of civilian harm and displacement in these areas.
There have also been high-profile visits and statements from political figures in allied countries, reflecting a wider debate about strategy, civilians’ protection, and regional stability as the conflict evolves.