Indeed, you did not specify. But since you talk about a staggering number of children killed, I would assume you had some numbers, not making them up.

That is easy to say from far away.
Still, I find your attitude quite dismissive, I should say.

If the Yezidis had an army, would you tell them they shouldn't launch a campaign to retrieve their daughters from ISIS ? Because Abu Bakr would expect that ?

I don't even understand what you are suggesting. From your answer, it seems you at least agree Hamas is Israel's enemy, which is something, I guess. But just some regular tit-for-tat doesn't cut it for something worse than the Yom Kippur war. So what, cower behind walls proven to fail ? Emigrate to Alaska as the Ayatalloh suggested ?

I get that. But sometimes your choices are between a bad one and a horrific one.

You can't defeat a terrorist organization by surrendering to it either. Israel has done pretty well against Hamas in the West Bank, even though it is more populated.

It's very much against my previous beliefs, and hasn't really taken hold, but I don't see any way around it:
It was the attempt to reach a peace deal that led here. Maybe in the 70s, before Islamism became as wide spread, some deal could be reached, but I wasn't alive back then so I don't know.
Before Oslo there was an intifada of rocks and knives. After Oslo it was suicide bombings and rockets. I mostly supported Oslo, my bad.
Sharon decided to pull out of Gaza. He sold it to the Israeli public as gaining international legitimacy in case of a conflict. I bought that kool-aid. I figured after so much bad blood, if we left them alone, they would leave us alone. Again, my bad. It hasn't gained Israel any international legitimacy, but deteriorated our security.

Well, you are wrong. A political player that assassinated Rafik Hariri with impunity. That caused the Beirut port explosion and paid no price. They do in Lebanon as they wish. That is not to say they have no Lebanese considerations, but whos to say how intrinsic they are in such a fractured country ?
Before 7.10 many might have said the same of Hamas. It was the belief of the Israeli top that Hamas had softened by the demands of controlling a population.
In the previous 2 rounds of tit-for-tat only the much weaker Islamic Jihad took part.
They demanded more work permits in Israel. They staged some demonstrations for prisoners in Israeli prisons. Demanding more visitation rights and such. But in hindsight this was just a front to lull our intelligence officers into a false narrative.
Now you claim with such assurance Hezbollah is a political player. You don't know that.

I agree it is better to have an endgame. But if the choice is between the Yezidi or American path, it is better go the American even without an endgame.
Also, let's remember the ceasefire after the 2006 war held until now, even though that war also had no end game.
For me, a good result would be to have no hostages in Gaza without a massive prisoner exchange. It would be best if most were retrieved alive, but most importantly they must all be retrieved. All Hamas leadership on the ground must be eliminated. Gaza power station must be switched to clean energy.