The Battle for Civilization: Israel’s Fight Against Hamas

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The world witnessed a shocking and horrific terror attack that occurred on October 7, as Hamas Nazis invaded southern Israel, committing one of the most brutal and wide-scale acts of violence in decades. In this barbaric rampage, they mercilessly massacred 1,400 Israelis and took more than 220 hostages. The images of death and destruction that unfolded were truly unfathomable.

Hamas, a notorious jihadi terror group, committed atrocities that were on par with those carried out by ISIS and al Qaeda. Their deliberate targeting of innocent civilians and children only showcases their savagery. It is important to recognize that these terrorists bear sole responsibility for the dire situation in Gaza.

Interestingly, a recent report by the Washington Post defended its use of numbers provided by the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health, citing that “many experts” consider it to be a reliable source. This development raises questions about the credibility of the information disseminated by Hamas.

To understand the gravity of the situation, it is crucial to delve into the history of Gaza. In 2005, Israel took a significant step towards peace by unilaterally withdrawing from the Gaza Strip, evacuating all Israeli civilians and soldiers from the territory. However, instead of embracing peace, Gaza turned into a hotbed of terrorism and violence.

Hamas, internationally recognized as a terror organization by Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and numerous other countries, violently seized power in Gaza in 2007. They resorted to brutal tactics such as throwing Palestinian Authority representatives off buildings, terrorizing the population with their reign of terror. For over 16 years, Hamas has ruled with an iron fist, seeking to impose sharia law on the people and relentlessly pursuing the destruction of Israel and the murder of Jews.

Despite attempts by the international community to encourage moderation through economic incentives, the reality remains that a genocidal jihadi terror group like Hamas cannot be altered through monetary support. Billions of dollars in donations, supplies, and building materials meant for civilian infrastructure have been misappropriated by Hamas. Instead of benefiting the people of Gaza, these resources have been diverted towards financing the lavish lifestyles of Hamas leaders and constructing terror tunnels and rocket manufacturing facilities.

Perhaps the most distressing aspect is the placement of these facilities within hospitals, schools, mosques, and residential areas. As a result, the innocent people of Gaza unwittingly become human shields for the terrorists.

While Israel endeavors to minimize civilian casualties in its military operations, Hamas intentionally seeks to increase such casualties on both sides. It is completely irrational to fire rockets indiscriminately at civilian populations from within civilian neighborhoods. The people of Gaza, by supporting Hamas, unfortunately live within a terror war machine.

To compound matters, Iran, the global leader in state-sponsored terrorism, provides significant financial support to Hamas. This support serves as a lifeline for the terror group’s activities.

Tragically, many in the media and the United Nations have been quick to blame Israel without verifying the facts. This plays directly into Hamas’ strategy of exploiting public opinion to pressure Israel into limiting its ability to defend itself.

We must recognize that this battle extends beyond Israel and Hamas. It is a clash between the forces of civilization and the forces of evil. If Israel’s hands are tied in fighting Hamas, it sets a dangerous precedent that emboldens terror organizations worldwide to attack civilized nations. Our collective future, the principles of the free world, and our way of life are at stake.

Gilad Erdan, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States and the United Nations, emphasizes that civilization must emerge victorious in this struggle. With so much at stake, it is imperative that we stand united against terror and ensure the triumph of peace and justice.

Gilad Erdan is Israel’s Ambassador to the United States and the United Nations. He previously served in the Israeli government in various ministerial positions for more than a decade, including in the security cabinet and in Israel’s Knesset.