Some lessons from Gaza

As the dust settles in Gaza, I offer some 'lessons' that seem to me, at least from this distance, to be valid from the perspective of Hamas:

First: Harvesting children is an absolutely sure-proof way to run a war. Either you train the kids to blow themselves up, use them for protection, or do your best to blow up the children of the opponent. All of these are wins for you. You get attention, sympathy and - most important of all - you get money. If you happen to reside outside Gaza, it's absolutely irresistible.

Second: The 'international community' loves to love someone who hates them. There's no other way to describe the outpouring of assistance for the 'Palestinians', when anyone with any sense knows that the amount that Hamas can syphon off will more than suffice to buy the latest missile technology. Hamas may have lost some leaders and foot soldiers, but this can all be repaired in short order; ask Hezbollah if you don't believe me. If they close the tunnels, well, they're opening the borders, aren't they?

Third: There is absolutely no need to worry about doing in your opponents, even crucifying them, which Hamas said it would do just before the fighting started. You can bump off lots of Palestinians in the general melee, with no indication that the 'international community' will even notice, let alone disapprove of what you're doing. So go at it!

Fourth: You may have to worry about the Israelis from time to time (especially if they know where you live), but they usually give up after a while, so it pays to hang in there.