Amid constant criticisms against Israel for its war against Hamas and calls for a ceasefire, the Jewish state remains resolution in its efforts to eradicate Hamas. Members of Israel’s government have spoken forcefully about the need to remove the threat coming from the terrorist group and identifies it as the primary impediment to peace in the region.
A particularly hot-button issue in this matter is the plight of civilians on both sides of the conflict. Yet, the anti-Israel crowd has routinely pilloried Israel for noncombatant casualties in Gaza, blaming Jerusalem for the fatalities despite the many actions Hamas has taken to ensure a higher number of civilian deaths.
During an address to the nation, War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz discussed the fight against Hamas and noted that the terrorist group is responsible for the tragedies occurring in the region.
[Gantz] tells leaders in the region: “There is no fight more moral than our battle for the right to live securely in our land. You need to act so that a different reality will be possible afterward, and so that Gaza will not again be held by those whose hands are covered in the blood of the innocent.
“It is Hamas that brought ruin upon the residents of Gaza. It should be pressured and attacked, so that the hostages are returned and so that the day will come when the war will be over.”
Referring to today’s Arab summit in Riyadh, he says Israel will not countenance preaching about morals from Syria’s Assad, “the slaughterer of his own people,” or “the hangman from Iran” – a reference to Iran’s President Raisi. “Those who shook hands with the leader of Iran remember what Iran has done,” he says.
He also reminded regional leaders that they can assist with humanitarian aid to Gaza but they need to remember “that the reality requires a changed regime in Gaza.”
Gantz’s remarks come as pro-Hamas activists across the western world call on Israel to cease fire, which effectively means suspending its effort to eliminate the terrorists that killed over 1,400 people on October 7. This crowd has been trying to pressure President Joe Biden into persuading Israel to halt their war against Hamas.
Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, President of George Soros’ Open Society Foundation recently added his voice to those siding with Hamas and calling on Israel to stop its military incursion into the Gaza Strip. During an appearance on BBC Newsnight, he suggested that the Jerusalem should engage in diplomatic relations with Hamas to work toward a peaceful solution to the conflict.
However, as I pointed out in my article on the story, Malloch-Brown’s proposition completely ignores the reality that Hamas isn’t like other entities. Its objective isn’t to make peace with Israel, it is to obliterate the Jewish state and annihilate the Jewish people in the region. Its charter reads like an Islamic version of Hitler’s "Mein Kampf."
Gantz and others who understand the situation on the ground point out that Hamas is public and honest about their intention to wipe Israel off the face of the map. Taking this into account, it makes no sense to pretend there can be peace with the terrorist organization, which rules the Gaza Strip like an authoritarian regime and has committed human rights abuses against Palestinian civilians even over the four weeks since they started the current conflict.
Many of those calling for a ceasefire are doing so out of ignorance. Others are doing so out of malicious intent, understanding that allowing Hamas to stand would only continue the threat against Israeli civilians. The bottom line is that Hamas’ destruction would be a positive step not only for Israel, but also for the Palestinians.