Israel faces strategic dilemma in Gaza

Since the outbreak of major hostilities between Israel and Palestine in October 2023, Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip have resulted in more than 54,000 deaths. On Wednesday, the United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that called for an "immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire" in Gaza, while the remaining 14 countries on the council voted in favor. This decision is likely to exacerbate the already severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In fact, Israel is caught in a strategic dilemma with its uncertain goals and increasing risks. Israel's dilemma has at least three dimensions: military, moral and political.

First, the dilemma is mainly reflected in the state of Israel's traditional military deterrence. After the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Israel has not suffered any major military defeat, which created the myth of the country's invincibility. Israel is widely regarded as the only nuclear power in the Middle East, and has the premier military force in the Middle East.