I am very sad about the weak comments regarding the Gaza war. Some people say that Israel won just because it destroyed, killed, and displaced people. There are even people among us who celebrate Israel’s victory more than the most loyal Zionists. But the truth is, not even one Israeli feels the victory that these people imagine.
Man, I live in America, and the war that made Americans feel the most significant defeat was the Vietnam War. In that war, America killed 3 million Vietnamese—2 million civilians and 1 million soldiers. America wiped cities off the map, completely destroyed them, and spent $168 billion on the war in 1975. That would be worth about $1 trillion today.
Let me shock you—back then, America was only reporting small losses, just a few hundred soldiers, just like Israel is doing now. But when a new government came, they revealed the real numbers: 58,000 American soldiers were killed. See the huge difference? The defeat is written in every history book in every language. Try searching "Vietnam War defeat"—you will not find even one Vietnamese saying, "We lost," like some people among us are saying now.
Do you know the main and only reason the U.S. lost? Withdrawal. Even in chess, if you quit, you lose—even if you took your opponent’s queen and many pieces. Why? Because if you keep playing, you will lose more. That’s precisely what has happened in Gaza in the past three weeks. Israeli soldiers don’t want to continue because they have no clear goal.
On the other hand, the people of Gaza are joining the resistance in significant numbers. In short, things are falling apart for Israel. And, of course, before anything else, it is by the will of God and His wisdom to lift the suffering from the pure, patient, honorable people of Gaza.
At the negotiation table, there is always a winner and a loser. The one who withdraws is the loser—no matter what they say. And even Israel itself feels the defeat and has not declared any kind of victory. Why? Because no goals were achieved—the hostages didn’t return, Hamas wasn’t destroyed, and they didn’t surrender. So tell me, why do you feel that Israel won? Some say, "The same number of people had to die." But even in World War II, when Hitler lost, he had killed many more people than his enemies. He killed 50 million Europeans and Russians. Yet, he was still the one who lost. Why? Because he withdrew from the fight and committed suicide.
And as for those who say, "Why were they there in the first place?" there is no hope for them. If someone invaded their home, kicked them out, forced them to live in a shack, and cut off their water, electricity, and freedom to go in and out, they would say, "It’s okay. At least they give us some dry bread under the door!"