War is hell, a statement obvious to anyone who has paid any attention to the last few thousand years of documented human history. But the same is also true of the often-ignored aftermath of that hellish war. When the smoke clears, the rubble settles and the survivors (or their conquerors) try to rebuild, the hell often continues. And this is the stage we’re approaching in Gaza, with Israel’s genuine and not-so-genuine critics tearing out their hair over reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will soon propose a full reoccupation of Gaza. But before we all start clutching our pearls, let’s ask the only question that actually matters: What’s the alternative?

For those who willingly ignore reality, Israel unilaterally left Gaza in 2005 in what was briefly celebrated by the international community as a step toward peace. Instead of peace, however, Gaza got the democratically-elected Hamas, who have ruled over the region ever since, using their newfound authority not to build schools, infrastructure or an economy, but to build terror tunnels, rocket launch sites and torture chambers, turning the entire Gaza Strip into a staging ground for their genocidal war against Jews, culminating in the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023.

And so here we are again, as Israel considers the only logical next step — taking control of an enemy territory that’s been used time and time again as a base for terrorism — and the world loses its collective mind.

Let’s be blunt: If Israel doesn’t control Gaza, someone else will. And if that “someone” is Hamas — or any Hamas-like puppet force allowed to fester under some United Nations peacekeeping fig leaf — then Oct. 7 will happen again. And again. And again. There is nothing that wishful thinking, fantasy diplomacy or yet another failed “international solution” can do to prevent this certain eventuality. The only solution? Wiping out Hamas and keeping them wiped out: something that cannot be achieved unless Israeli boots remain on the ground or the Palestinian people of Gaza embrace peace instead of war and elect someone whose primary goal is not the destruction of world Jewry.

Yes, occupation is tragic and will undeniably lead to civilian suffering — especially since Hamas has ensured that civilians suffer. But not occupying Gaza would also be tragic, dooming Gazans to life under the same Hamas that has embedded itself in hospitals, schools and apartment buildings while looting aid meant for its own people. Those who believe that reoccupation is immoral should explain why allowing Hamas to occupy Gaza — using Palestinian children as nothing but dispensable human shields — comes within 1,000 miles of the supposed morality they seek.

Critics scream about a “humanitarian crisis” as if Hamas didn’t engineer it, but what exactly is the plan if Israel walks away? More rockets? More hostage-taking? More dead children? What about the humanity of Hamas’s future victims? Unlike the promises of all-too-online commentators and feckless politicians, there is no perfect answer here. Instead, we must choose from a collection of bad answers, hoping to land on the least-bad option. In this case, it’s the one that prevents Hamas from ever having power again. If that means Israeli control — with no Palestinian alternative that prevents future violence — then so be it.

And if you’re someone who wants Hamas to survive — who masks that preference behind words like “ceasefire,” “restraint” or “proportionality” — then it’s time to take a good long look in the mirror. Because whether you realize it or not, you’re advocating for the next Oct. 7.

Some of us never want that day to happen again. Some of us are still pretending it didn’t.

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