Israel’s Self-Defense Amidst Unprecedented Attacks: An Opinion
As flames of conflict between Israel and Hamas roar on, there emerges a side of the story that the world needs to hear, comprehend, and reflect upon. Gilad Erdan, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, in his recent conversation with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, brought to light the grim reality Israel faces and the sheer magnitude of the challenge that lies ahead.
Imagine waking up every day to the thunder of rockets, knowing that an armed infiltrator could be around the corner, and living with the fear that your loved ones could be taken hostage. That’s the reality Erdan paints of Israel’s current situation. In what he described as an “unprecedented” attack, Hamas hasn’t just launched a barrage of rockets; they have audaciously crossed into Israeli territories, taking civilians, soldiers, and even children as hostages. The audacity of using these hostages as human shields, as pawns in this deadly game, further reveals the ruthless tactics employed by Hamas.
Some might argue about proportionality and methods, but when an entire nation is under threat, it’s an instinct to respond, to protect, and to ensure survival. The decision to obliterate Hamas’ terrorist capabilities isn’t born out of hatred but out of a necessity for survival. Israel’s stated aim is not to create havoc but to target specific threats like rocket launchers, command centers, and weapons depots. And, amidst this, they’ve been threading the needle carefully to avoid civilian casualties, even ensuring humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.
It is crucial that the international community sees beyond the smoke and mirrors. While every civilian casualty is a tragedy, and each one weighs heavily on our collective conscience, the discourse needs to be broader. Israel isn’t fighting a country; it’s fighting an ideology, a “terrorist organization” hell-bent on its annihilation.
The aspiration for peace is universal. Erdan’s remarks, however, highlight that peace doesn’t come from appeasement or compromise with forces that seek destruction. Israel hopes for a ceasefire, but not one that serves as a brief intermission, allowing Hamas to regroup and return with even greater fury.
For any lasting peace in the region, the solution must be structural. A demilitarized Gaza under the Palestinian Authority could be a stepping stone towards this goal. As the world watches, opines, and debates, let’s not forget the fundamental right of any nation: the right to defend its people, its land, and its existence.
