In recent weeks, I’ve repeatedly been asked a central question: Why is Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip taking so long? Nearly two years. Harald, my friend from southern Germany, asked me the same question last night. Harald, here’s the promised article. How can it be that Israel’s operation against Iran was successful in just twelve days, the war against Hezbollah ended after ten weeks, yet in Gaza, there seems to be no end in sight? No clear victory, no tangible resolution. Perhaps this week will mark a turning point if Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump announce a hostage deal and ceasefire that could lead to a potential end to the war. But comparisons are misleading.

The operation against Iran was a covert, precise strike with clearly defined targets, limited terrain, and no hostages – hence it was swiftly concluded. In the Gaza Strip, however, Israel is fighting a terror organization embedded in residential areas, while the IDF must adhere to humanitarian standards, faces massive international pressure, and is struggling to save...

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