The Middle East, and the Gaza Strip in particular, has been the site of strife and violence for far too long. Israel, a nation that has labored to live in peace since its establishment in 1948, now finds itself again compelled to defend its borders against terrorists from the Hamas group that has engaged in abhorrent attacks on Israeli citizens and infrastructure in the past several days.
Recent events have laid bare the brutality of Hamas and their disregard for human life as they launch rockets at Israeli population centers, disregarding international law and the norms of decency in the process. Israel has since responded with its own defensive measures, further steps taken to preserve the security and safety of its citizens.
These efforts have included not only the deployment of the physical Iron Dome air defense system, but also aggressive action against Hamas targets in Gaza. Israel has launched airstrikes and ground forces into the Hamas-controlled area to target sources of the rocket fire.
The move has noticeable escalated the current conflict in the region, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) seeks to make a statement against Hamas’ increasingly destabilizing activities. The heightened intensity of the skirmish is also due in part to Hamas’ eagerness to provoke a response, frequently using civilians as human shields and to launch rockets from residential areas in the Strip.
Tragically, many innocent civilians—both Israel-based and in the Gaza Strip—have been affected by the conflict, and the death toll continues to mount as the violence persists with no signs of slowing down. It is our hope that both sides come to a resolution that is able to bring the long-term stability and peace the region desperately needs.