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Israel cannot defeat Hamas. Israel's Growing PR Problem and Its Inability to Defeat Hamas

Israel cannot defeat Hamas. Israel's Growing PR Problem and Its Inability to Defeat Hamas
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By derimot*no - Larry Johnson - September 1, 2025

Struggling with ever-growing problems in public opinion. I hesitate to use the term PR problem about Bibi Netanyahu’s recent pathetic charm offensive on social media, because it suggests something trivial and inconsequential. It is not. Netanyahu’s social media propaganda tour is a sign of fear and weakness.

When the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) murdered five journalists last week, that war crime triggered a powerful wave of international indignation and protest. Netanyahu is so used to lying, and so confident in his ability to make others believe his lies, that he decided to reach out to pro-Zionist podcasters, gaining a platform from which he hoped to stem the bleeding of public support for his genocidal project.

Over the past week, Benjamin Netanyahu has appeared on the following popular podcasts:

  1. Valuetainment with Patrick Bet-David (August 25, 2025) — Netanyahu discussed Israel's conflicts, accused critics of misinformation, shared views on the fight against Iran's proxies, and commented on international reactions to the genocide allegations.
  2. TRIGGERnometry Podcast (August 20, 2025) — He gave an in-depth interview covering various topics, including regional security, political strategy, and the ongoing situation in Gaza.

Additionally, Netanyahu appeared earlier in August on the British podcast The News Agents (August 4, 2025) , where he spoke about the Israeli government's plans and positions related to Gaza.

This is a clear signal that support for the Zionist genocide in the so-called civilized world is waning; otherwise Netanyahu would have been content to speak from his government desk in Tel Aviv. I don't think social media spin will save Israel's well-deserved reputation as a terrorist state that gleefully murders women and children.

Today there is an ironic article in Haaretz — ironic because of the breaking news as I write this at 10:00 PM Eastern Time — entitled: Inside Gaza City's Zeitoun, IDF Insists Its Seventh Incursion Will Finally Defeat Hamas. Here are some key points from the article:

  • Throughout the Gaza war, the IDF has said the Zeitoun battalion was defeated, but now admits they may have spoken too soon. The mission: to wipe out the neighborhood above and below ground. “I guess we’ll meet again,” said one commander, “maybe for the eighth time in Zeitoun.”
  • But what can the IDF achieve this time that it failed to do the six previous times, when the 36th, 99th, 252nd, 126th, and 98th divisions fought here? Almost every unit that has served in Gaza in the past two years has participated in “defeating” Hamas’ Zeitoun battalion.
  • Throughout the war, defense and government leaders have told reporters that the Zeitoun Battalion had been defeated and ceased to function as a military unit. Now they say they may have been too hasty in that claim. According to the army, the battalion remains combat-ready, with around 400 soldiers, and is displaying “excessive self-confidence” ahead of the upcoming battle with the IDF.

But guess what? According to the Middle East Spectator, today (Friday) the IOF took a beating from the Zeitoun Battalion:

  • The IDF withdraws from the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood after rescue forces were ambushed by Hamas fighters, resulting in one death and eleven injuries.
  • Latest news: No contact has been made with the four missing Israeli soldiers in Ayn Al-Zaytoun in the Gaza Strip — there is now speculation that all of them may have been captured by Hamas.
  • Hebrew media reports that the IDF search and rescue has "given up" on the four missing soldiers, and the Israeli government is preparing a major press release.

This disaster could strengthen the position of the head of the IOF, who is reportedly strongly opposed to conducting more ground-based operations in Gaza City.

The courage shown by Hamas fighters creates a legend among the Palestinian people, which will live on and inspire others to resist. Despite Western attempts to portray Hamas as terrorists, they do not kill civilians… they stand face to face with the best-equipped army in the region. These Palestinian fighters are fighting for freedom and to avenge the murders of their families and friends. It has nothing to do with the West’s diversionary tactics about Muslims who want to impose Sharia law.

This tactical victory for the Zeitoun Battalion does not negate the Zionist strategic advantages, but it stands as a stark reminder that after 23 months of brutal attacks by the Zionists, the Palestinians are still willing and able to fight.

https://sonar21.com/israels-worsening-pr-problem-and-its-failure-to-defeat-hamas

Larry Johnson

The text represents the author's opinion, not necessarily that of www.derimot.no.