Suggested Answers to Tough Questions
Why are Hamas and Palestinian civilians being targeted by Israel?
- Israel was attacked by Hamas, a violent, brutal, and fundamentalist terrorist organization, whose charter calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and establishment of an Islamic theocracy in its place. Hamas came to power in Gaza in 2007 after an election and then a brutal civil war against other Palestinian factions vying for control of one of the most densely populated tracts of land on the planet. Hamas purposely targets civilians in Israel and also operates from within its own civilian population centers, putting Gazans in risk as they are used as human shields. The attack on October 7 included explicit documented plans for Hamas militants to target civilians and take hostages. Hamas militants perpetrated atrocities during its attack including beheadings, burning people alive, killing dozens of babies, taking Holocaust survivors and others as captives and violating their humanity.
- Israel has repeatedly warned Gaza’s civilian population to evacuate certain areas to avoid being caught in the violence. Cynically, disturbingly, and once again demonstrating their complete disregard for human life and civilian populations, Hamas has ordered residents not to leave and to stay in place, despite the warnings that Israel has given, potentially condemning some of their own people to die. And now, evidence has emerged of Hamas blocking the safe corridors created by Israel, forcing their own civilian population to remain in the fighting zone and become human shields and pawns in the propaganda war being waged by Hamas.
Why is Israel cutting off electricity and other supplies to Gaza?
- Hamas is the governmental authority in Gaza, and is responsible for the well-being of its citizens. In the past, Hamas has diverted large quantities of provisions and aid intended for the civilians to instead fund its military and terror campaigns. Its aim in doing so is to both bolster their resources for terror and to keep their population dependent on them for any basic needs, to blame Israel for not providing for them, and then to recruit them to Hamas.
- For example, emergency supplies of much-needed diesel fuel (used to power generators for hospitals, among other purposes) has been redirected to Hamas’ rocket program and other military uses. Likewise, concrete provided for rebuilding Gaza after previous conflicts that resulted in Israeli airstrikes on buildings, was instead used by Hamas to create a vast network of tunnels in which they operate. It should also be noted that in regular times, Israel only supplies 10% of Gaza’s water and 50% of its electricity (a further 25% comes from solar power, and the rest from Egypt and other sources).
Why did Israel order Gazans to evacuate the Northern Gaza Strip?
- Hamas has militarized cities and neighborhoods in Gaza, using schools, hospitals and mosques as storehouses for ammunition aimed at destroying Israel.
- Hamas places the citizens of Gaza directly in harm’s way, committing war crimes against both Israelis and Palestinians.
- Israel, a sovereign nation, has a moral right and obligation to defend itself and protect its citizens from this terrorist entity.
- Israel has stated that its siege of Gaza will continue until Hamas releases the over 199 hostages it is holding captive. Hamas alone is making the decision to retain the hostages, thus prolonging the siege.
- Israel takes extraordinary measures to avoid civilian casualties. The IDF warns Gazans in advance of attacks so that innocent civilians can flee.
- Without a diplomatic solution, Israel must attempt to rescue the hundreds of innocent people Hamas is holding hostage. The only means of attempting their rescue is through a ground operation that will also target Hamas leadership and will aim to destroy the capacity of Hamas to repeat the atrocities of October 7.
- Israel knows that such an operation, while necessary, will put civilians who have not evacuated at risk and it is therefore urging the population in northern Gaza to evacuate to the south.
- Despite the IDF’s calls, Hamas has ordered Palestinians to remain in their homes.
- Any loss of civilian life is a tragedy whose responsibility lies with Hamas.
Who was responsible for the Gaza hospital attack?
- International media reported that an Israeli airstrike had hit the Al-Ahli Hospital, killing some 500 people. Within a few hours, and after careful IDF examination of the issue, a clearer picture emerged; see here.