Save the Gazans, Save Israel
The civilians in Gaza have been, literally and figuratively, in the way of Israel’s war effort. The outcry for their safety and access to aid led to threats by the U.S. to withhold weapons to Israel, to Israel being accused of genocide, and to the issue of arrest warrants issued for Israel’s prime minister and former defence minister by the International Criminal Court.
And, of course, Hamas is hiding behind them.
This is a very strange situation. The depth and breadth to which Hamas has embedded itself within the civilian population in Gaza was known long before Israel put it on display with evidence of weapons in hospitals, schools and children’s bedrooms in private homes. It is undisputed that Hamas uses its children to protect its terrorists and weapons. Yet, Israel’s friends and allies have consistently insisted that the civilians not be displaced, and that Israel is responsible for their safety, as well as for their access to food and water. What this means is that America, France, England, Canada, Germany, and all of the enlightened westerners want Israel to make sure that Hamas is well-protected by the civilians in Gaza.
It cannot be that their concern is for the civilians. If it were, it would be Egypt who is under pressure to make room for them. The $300 million that went to build a dock in order to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid would have been more effective had it been used to create a space for the civilians in Egypt. The fastest, most efficient and effective way to save the civilians is to get them out of the way. Out of our way. Unfettered access to the terrorists would likely end the war faster.
This is so clearly the simple solution. Why is it that the nations who “condemn in the strongest terms the atrocities committed on October 7”, make it more difficult for Israel to destroy the evil that committed them?
Even more unclear is why no one called this out. None of the people, Jewish or otherwise, who advocate for Israel’s position against Hamas made this a talking point. They defend Israel’s actions by pointing out the warnings Israel issues to the civilians to vacate an area about to be attacked; they point to how much humanitarian aid has been allowed to enter Gaza; they stress the low ratio of terrorist-to civilian death rate; but nobody suggests the removal of the civilians. I reached out to several people with video and in-print platforms. No one responded.
That the president of the United States would publicly call out other nations in the region to take the civilians out of harm’s – and Israel’s – way, is monumental. If it is implemented, it could be helpful in getting the rest of the hostages out, and defeating Hamas decisively.
One never knows how these things play out, but for the record, this is what “ironclad commitment to Israel’s security” looks like.