Talk of defeating Hamas, destroying it even, continues. Anyone calling for a ceasefire, for whatever reasons, in Gaza is liable to be labelled anti-Semitic. It seems to be forgotten that ceasefires work both ways or that, while Hamas are using the time to re-group and plan their next assault, only a fool could think that the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) would not do the same.
But Hamas cannot be defeated, even if it is destroyed. Whatever the origin of the events on 7 October, and the theories run from a false flag incident through complacency to incompetence and technical failure, the aftermath has been a gift the Hamas. They are getting everything they want out of this. As Napoleon said: ‘Why stop your enemy when he is making a mistake?’
Who would have predicted the widespread support for an organisation that participated in the slaughter (it seems they were not the only organisation involved) of well over 1000 people and taking hundreds hostage? They have not denied their part and have been proactive in circulating videos of their handywork. It could be said that they have played a blinder. They knew, as has always been promised, that the Israeli reaction would be swift and brutal (unlike their action on the actual day of the events) and prolonged.
The prevailing attitude amongst those who are expressing support for Israel in the UK seems to be that horror at the events of 7 October cannot coexist alongside pity for the people of Gaza. Pity, that is, that asks for the bombing to stop and for some other course of action to be pursued. Nobody expects the Israelis to do nothing but if you are chasing rats out of sewers you don’t destroy the houses above ground, you send terriers down the sewers after them.
The IDF are somewhat hampered by the existence of the hostages, some of whom are reportedly in the tunnels below Gaza and some of whom, it transpires, are being held by groups not under the control of Hamas. Undeniably, in retrieving their hostages, they have a problematic situation. But, despite the release of a few hostages in return for prisoners, it is hard to see what incentive Hamas, or any other group has to release more if Gaza is going to be razed to the ground.
Hamas cares not about the lives of the hostages or the people of Gaza any more than it cares about the lives of the people of Israel. This is an Islamic death cult which kills at close quarters without mercy and whose members have no fear of dying themselves. The IDF and those who support continued heavy bombing of civilian areas in Gaza are merely obliging them. What alternative do Israel have, they ask?
Well Israel has alternatives. For a start it could stop aerial bombing which looks like a knee-jerk reaction to the attacks of 7 October. Others have suggested radical ideas, and they should be listened to. Peter Hitchens, a proclaimed supporter of Israel and someone who knows the area well and has friends on both sides suggests that the appropriate Israeli action following 7 October would have been to do absolutely nothing and for Israel to point out to the world that this is what it is up against and why it must defend its borders (better!).
One of the Anglican vicars on the Irreverend podcast, which is no supporter of Hamas, suggested that an appropriate and Christian response might have been to pour financial aid into Gaza. Other than the barbarians who immediately celebrated the slaughter of 7 October it is hard to imagine the widespread protests in favour of Palestine that we are seeing now if either of the above actions had been taken.
Israel is manifestly flawed both in its origins and its actions over the decades since it was formed but international meddling by people in search of lasting legacies, Nobel Peace Prizes and cartloads of consultancy money claiming to be Middle East peace envoys has not helped. Despite its flaws it remains the only democracy in the region. It has an allegedly corrupt and mendacious Prime Minister, but he was voted in. He can be voted out. But democracy seems not to guard against outright slaughter of innocent civilians, many of whom may be being forced to act as human shields.
The real question for Israel is not ‘How many terrorists can we destroy?’ but ‘How many terrorists are we creating?’
Opinions from the Unity News Network (UNN) editorial team & various contributors. | UNN always clearly distinguishes between news and opinion pieces and as an open minded outlet we publish views from a variety of people and organisation that do not necessarily reflect the views of UNN or its writers. Articles published under UNN Opinions are always opinion pieces and if published on behalf of a contributor will contain that authors name at the start of the piece.
