Problem: invade the Gaza Strip and destroy the Hamas army while doing as little physical harm[1] to the civilian population as possible. 

            Solution. 

1. Try to separate the Hamas troops from the bulk of the civilian population.  Continue to urge the civilian population to abandon the Gaza City area in northern Gaza.  Do nothing more to impede the movement of civilians southward.  Step up the use of “roof knocks” on buildings to encourage people to move.  Once as many people as possible have moved, the attack phase can begin. 
2. Begin sustained air attacks on targets between the northern boundary of Gaza and the northern districts of Gaza City.  Mass a large force opposite these targets.  The initial goal is to fix the attention of Hamas commanders on the northern and northeastern flanks of Gaza. 
3. Launch a powerful combined-arms (air, armored, infantry) attack northeastward from a staging area west of the Israeli community of Be’eri.  The axis of advance will run from the Wadi Gaza on the left to the Karni Netzarim road on the right.  Speed is essential.  The goal is to capture control of a broad corridor from the land border of Gaza to the Mediterranean Sea.  Both faces of the corridor will need to be rapidly fortified with open ground created in front of both lines. 
4. This stroke is intended to isolate the main body of Hamas fighters in northern Gaza and the largest number of civilians in the southern sector.  The two areas can then be treated in different fashions. 
5. In the south, the United Nations can be invited to launch a rapid and large-scale relief effort within the context of Israel’s security needs.  The basic conditions of Israel’s proclaimed siege can be ameliorated.  At the same time, remaining Hamas fighters in the southern sector can be neutralized. 
6. In the north, Israel will have two choices.  The first is to maintain the siege until the Hamas troops are compelled to lay down their arms by hunger and thirst.  Much fighting around the outside of this “cauldron” will take place.  The second is to strike rapidly with overwhelming force.  Air strikes and artillery will do most of the work by leveling buildings believed to contain Hamas troops.  Careful follow-up movements by ground forces will secure control of the ground. 

[1] The psychological harm and the destruction of physical and economic infrastructure will be immense.