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Dear editor:
I fully agree with Bruce Ticker’s assertion that the IDF was absolutely justified in conducting the raid that freed four Israeli hostages from Hamas’ hands. (“Column: No Guilt or Apologies Over Arab Deaths in Hostage Rescue” Boulder Jewish News June 13, 2024) But I must disagree, as strongly as possible, with his assertion that Israel has gone further than necessary to protect the State and its people. In fact, Israel’s efforts to avoid killing civilians has been exemplary. And it is Hamas’ having embedded its war machine among the populace that has made it impossible for Israel’s best efforts at avoiding collateral damage to be 100% effective. Nor does it help that so much of our media accepts Hamas’ casualty figures, which don’t distinguish between civilians and combatants, and constantly claim that most of the dead are women and children (while omitting the fact that Hamas has used women as outlooks, decoys, and suicide bombers and that Hamas runs summer camps where teenagers are given weapons and trained to use them). https://aish.com/civilian-deaths-in-gaza-relatively-low
In closing, I’d like to say that I agree with Bruce Ticker, once again, when he says that Hamas should take better care of the people living in Gaza. Unfortunately, Hamas disagrees, saying that their fighters can shelter in Hamas’ tunnels, but the people will not be allowed in. Hamas says UNRWA is responsible for protecting the people.
Toby F. Block
Atlanta, GA
