I basically agree with NR’s take on the disengagement, but I think one thing needs more emphasis: the more everyone talks about the tragedy of withdrawing from Gaza, the more convincing Hezbollah’s claims will be to having “driven out” the Israelis, thus boosting Palestinian morale. On the

contrary: as difficult as the removal of people from their homes is, it’s abundantly clear that Israel is scraping Gaza off its shoes and will be infintitely better off not having to manage that nest of vipers. In other words, this isn’t a defeat for Israel, or a strategic withdrawal or an “advance in another direction” or whatever — there’s no need for euphemism, because this is a win for Israel’s security, a big win.

Achieving this victory will have a cost, since people were mistakenly permitted to settle in Gaza, but it is a victory nonetheless.