Once again, the chorus of doubters was proven wrong. For weeks, commentators, opposition politicians, and much of the media insisted that Israel had “caved in” to Hamas and foreign pressure over the terrorists trapped in a Rafah tunnel.
They mocked the prime minister, claimed Israel had backed down, and predicted another show of weakness. But as has happened repeatedly throughout this war, reality is catching up — and Netanyahu is once again doing exactly what he said he would.
Instead of rushing into an operation that would have been twisted by hostile media outlets, Israel chose patience and precision. Rather than storming the tunnel and handing Israel’s critics a PR victory, the IDF positioned itself, sealed escape routes, and waited.
Now, with the terrorists’ supplies dwindling and their options closing, Israel is eliminating them methodically. It is exactly the kind of strategic, deliberate action that Netanyahu has promised since the first days after Oct. 7 — and exactly the kind of action his critics consistently underestimate.