Since World War II concluded with Japan’s unconditional surrender on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri, military conflicts have generally not ended, but been suspended. One side – usually the U.S. and/or its Western allies – simply decided to stop fighting.

Often bad things ensued, for example, the 2-plus million killed by Communists in South East Asia after we unilaterally terminated the Vietnam War. Joe Biden’s abandoning of Afghanistan is likely to result in horrific repercussions for our friends there – and for us.

In the case of Israel, ever since its outright defeat of Arab armies in 1967, externally imposed cease-fires have repeatedly bought time for its Palestinian and other enemies to regroup, and attack again more forcefully. That must not happen this time. If it does not actually crush Hamas, the consequences for the Jewish State – and U.S. regional interests – will be devastating.

This is Frank Gaffney.