Hamas could quickly protect Gaza’s civilians and dramatically improve their lives by taking a simple set of actions: Surrender unconditionally, free the hostages, turn in their weapons and themselves.
That would put an end to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and humanitarian aid would flood into the Strip.
Israel is at war with Hamas because Hamas launched an unprovoked attack, slaughtering 1,400 Israelis, injuring more than 4,000, raping an untold number, burning babies and taking more than 240 hostages.
Israel is committed to disarming and dismantling Hamas — and, one way or another, it will succeed.
While Israel is doing its best to prevent civilian casualties, because Hamas embeds its weapons and personnel next to and underneath apartment buildings, hospitals, schools and mosques, continued fighting will unfortunately result in civilians losing their homes and their lives.
Some suggest a ceasefire is the best way to protect civilians. One wonders whether they would have urged an immediate ceasefire on George Washington, Abraham Lincoln or Franklin Roosevelt.
In this case it’s both dangerous and naive.
An immediate ceasefire ensures Hamas remains in power. A ceasefire now allows Hamas to keep its weapons and its terror tunnels.
For Israel to stand-down before Hamas has been defeated and disarmed is to enable another terrorist attack on its citizens.
There was a ceasefire in place until Oct. 7, when Hamas broke it with its murderous rampage. Days ago, a Hamas leader promised to attack over and over, again and again. Between ceasefires, in the decades since Israel removed every settler and every soldier from Gaza, Hamas launched tens of thousands of rockets at Israel — each one a war crime.
As former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton put it, “People who are calling for a cease-fire now do not understand Hamas…that is not possible…they would spend whatever time there was a cease-fire in effect rebuilding their armaments…creating stronger positions…”
No nation would agree to that after what Hamas did on Oct. 7.
Asking Israel to stand-down before dismantling Hamas would award Hamas a major victory and significantly diminish Israeli deterrence, encouraging further wars.
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) summed it up this way, “A ceasefire is a gift to Hamas.”
