There actually is a real, present threat of extinction of the Israeli state, nation and all families contained within. The threat takes the shape of a worldwide community deciding for Israel that it must submit to a two-state solution where the other state has a military, has demonstrated willingness to murder, torture and rape all Israeli Jews and has the close physical proximity required to execute such an act with resistance being almost physically impossible (take a look at a map of Israel and imagine how many civilians will die from say 20 Iranian mortars stationed in the mountains of Shomron). Even if Israel survives such an attack, it could easily kill 10% of the Jewish population, and looking at international sentiment right now, it definitely seems like Israel would not be able to retaliate in such a case.

Even just allowing Hamas to survive is an incredibly massive threat, as they have already demonstrated the ability to commit one October 7th and if they are allowed to they will have no problem executing another one after some years of rebuilding their strength (though next time I assume they will tone down the atrocities to immediately get the international community on their side, so you'll probably see less rape and genital mutilation and just the regular, internationally permitted, murder of Jews).

I think that they think there is a real, persistent threat of Hamas continuing to make this kind of attack. Hamas has consistently said so, so Israel has reasonable grounds for thinking so. Hamas has even said that they won't settle for a two-state solution - they demand the destruction of Israel.

So if you're an Israeli, that leaves you very few choices: stay and accept being massacred every so often, shut down the country and leave, or destroy Hamas. Unsurprisingly, they choose the third option.

I don't think the attack could be repeated as successfully even if Israel withdrew. And Israel clearly had justification doing something - but without an analysis of their options, it's hard to know what's justified - which is the heart of this case.

I agree that Israel's options are limited - in the absence of outside assistance. In fact, I don't see how Israel can solve the situation in the absence of a neutral outside security force. Here's why:

For a peaceful settlement, both populations need to be given hope.

- Israelis need hope of long term safety and security

- Palestinians need hope of self-determination and civil rights.

No deployment of Israeli forces satisfies both conditions. If Israel occupies Gaza, they deny the Palestinian hope. If they withdraw, they give up their own (which they won't do). Even if Hamas is destroyed, the PA is too weak to guarantee security for either Palestinians or Israelis, and Israel won't trust them enough to allow them to grow strong. Ergo, a neutral force is needed. But, that would require US co-operation, if not actual US forces, and I don't think Biden will risk it in an election year.

This sounds like the perfect task for a UN peacekeeping force. (Of course, after various "resolutions" over the years, the Israelis may view the UN as biased...)

They won't. It's a fantasy.