What is it with the leaders of organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah?
On October 7, 2024, Hamas unleashed a vicious attack on Israel murdering and raping hundreds and kidnapping hundreds more.
Some people think this was a legitimate attack because they don’t think Israel has a right to exist. So be it. They have a right to their opinion, no matter how misguided I think it is.
But that does not justify the crimes that were committed against civilians: the men, women and children who were just living their lives.
In support of Hamas, Hezbollah, another terrorist organization that also denies Israel’s right to exist, started firing rockets into northern Israel, forcing about 60,000 civilian men, women, and children to flee their homes for safety further south.
It should surprise no one, least of all the leaders of these two terrorist groups, that Israel responded, first with the invasion of Gaza and now with ground attacks into southern Lebanon against Hezbollah fighters who, under United Nation’s resolution, are not even supposed to be there. That attack was preceded by air strikes in Lebanon in such places as the Beirut area and the Bekka Valley.
Now you may think Israel has overreacted. That it is using too much force, killing too many civilians, men, women, and children.
You are entitled to that opinion.
But another question you should be asking yourself is: Why do leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah put military targets in the middle of densely populated civilian areas?
If they really cared about their own people, one would think they would put military targets in areas that would minimize civilian casualties instead of areas that would maximize them.
These terrorist leaders are not stupid. They must have known Israel would respond forcefully, targeting their leaders, fighters, and armories. Given where they are, that puts civilians in the firing zone with predictable results.
In the case of Hezbollah, I have to wonder how long they thought they could keep up the low intensity fighting after driving tens of thousands of civilians from their homes?
The answer is apparently just under a year.
Has Israel overreacted? Has Israel used disproportionate force? You decide.
Do the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah bear responsibility for the civilian deaths caused by locating their military infrastructure in the midst of innocent people?
Without question.
So, if you are going to blame Israel, also blame Hamas and Hezbollah for starting the fighting and putting military targets in the midst of civilians.
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