Edit after being locked: well this went poorly. I thought we were better than this.

Ok let me start off with a disclaimer: I am not a Zionist and think that the genocide that has taken place in Gaza is abhorrent. What has happened in Gaza is truly a stain that can never be wiped away. I also want to state that I am not an Israeli, a Palestinian, Jewish, or a Muslim; I am just a person who can admit to probably needing a better grasp on geopolitics. All of that said let’s get in to it.

In the aftermath of the October 7th attacks what response should Israel have taken? Obviously not what ended up transpiring but without the benefit of hindsight what should they have done? People were forcibly kidnapped and taken hostage, others killed by a surprise attack from a militant organization dug into an entire city. What would the proper response have been in the short and long term(s)?