Hamas’s strategy for its war with Israel has long been obvious. Hide in tunnels, compel Israel to kill civilians to get to fighters, maximize civilian deaths and suffering, fight a war of delay and attrition, and hope international pressure forces Israel to leave Hamas standing. Israel’s response should have been: Get the civilians out of the way, and go after the fighters full force. Or as full as concern for the hostages would allow.

Israel has tried to limit civilian deaths, including warning civilians within Gaza about where active fighting will occur, and advising them to move to safer areas. That has surely reduced civilian casualties. But every day brings more civilian deaths. People are tired of moving. Some are now being told to move for the third, fourth, or fifth time. Meanwhile, no country will take meaningful numbers of Gazan refugees. More is needed.

Herewith a modest proposal for what Israel should have done in late 2023, and should still do today, to move civilians out of harm’s way. This plan is relevant now, but even more important for future rebuilding: Build a high-quality refugee camp in the Negev desert near the Gaza border. Provide plenty of tents, food, water, sanitation, electricity, medical facilities, prayer spaces, schools, cell towers, etc. Employ Arabic-speakers, including Bedouins, as guards. No weapons, of course. The Negev has plenty of........

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