The assertion made by Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) that fighting Hamas was “more challenging” than Al-Qaeda or ISIS thoroughly surprised CNN’s Dana Bash.

“I should note, Commander Hertling, that you were the former commanding general for Europe and the Seventh Army,” Bash said. “We know, sir, that senior U.S. Military officials, including three-star lieutenant general James Glynn are in Israel to advise the IDF ahead of a potential ground invasion into Gaza. You and that lieutenant general were both in Iraq at different times. But given the experience you each have, what kind of advice do you think he could be giving to the Israelis?”

“It’s interesting. We both had experience in Mosul, one of the largest cities in Iraq. Mine came in 2007 and ’08; His came during the ISIS invasion, “Operation Inherent Resolve,” Hertling said, continuing:

And in both of those situations, I would suggest we learned an awful lot of how to fight inside the cities, how to try our very best to avoid civilian casualties, because you’re talking about terrorist operations on a civilian battlefield. We fought in areas where the streets were narrow and the houses were large. What’s fascinating about all of that is, Hamas, more than likely, is much more challenging than anything I, with Al Qaeda, or anything Gen. Glynn saw with ISIS.

“Wow, that’s a big statement!” Bash exclaimed. “That’s a big statement, because it certainly wasn’t a walk in the park in Mosul.”

“No, it certainly wasn’t, as you know, you reported some of this,” replied Hertling. “It was extremely challenging from combat in the cities and in an urban environment perspective. His was harder than mine. What the Israelis are going to face going into Gaza is harder than both of ours combined, I would suggest.”

Watch the clip above via CNN.

The post ‘Wow, That’s A Big Statement!’ Dana Bash Surprised As Pentagon Official Argues Fighting Hamas Is ‘More Challenging’ Than Al-Qaeda or ISIS first appeared on Mediaite.

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