A Ceasefire in Gaza will endanger Peace, Stability

In times of peace, assessing moral considerations is a simpler task compared to the complexities that arise during armed conflicts. Yet, the need for moral clarity becomes paramount when the fog of war obscures our judgment.

Regrettably, even after the stark threat posed by Hamas became evident following the October 7 massacre, the absence of moral clarity persists, particularly among those advocating for an immediate ceasefire.

Calls for a ceasefire have echoed from various quarters in recent weeks, with many overlooking the fact that an actual ceasefire was already in place until October 6. Unfortunately, Hamas exploited past few years to bolster its strength and plan the devastating attack on October 7.

Some of those urging a ceasefire are unabashed supporters of Hamas, driven by a fervor to deny Israel the fundamental right of self-defense, afforded to every sovereign nation. Aligned with this internationally-recognized terrorist organization, their motivations are rooted in hatred, seeking the destruction of the Jewish state.

While others may have more “noble and ethical intentions”, they misconstrue the consequences of prematurely ending the military campaign without dismantling Hamas. An early ceasefire would not only jeopardize Israeli lives, but also condemn Gazans to the rule of Hamas repressive regime, destabilize the Middle East, and inspire other Islamist terrorists around the world, posing a global security threat.

Moreover, allowing this genocidal terrorist organization to maintain its military and political capabilities and power, undermines the aspirations of those who have hopes for a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and ensures the inevitability of future conflicts. As long as Hamas, with its primary goal of replacing Israel with an Islamist caliphate, governs the Gaza Strip, coexistence remains an elusive goal, with dire consequences for both Israeli and Palestinian civilians.

It is a tragic reality that civilians suffer in every war. Israel grieves every loss of innocent life and, in stark contrast to Hamas, takes unprecedented measures to minimize harm to innocent Palestinians. These measures include issuing warnings to civilians to evacuate dangerous areas, guiding them to safe zones, and prioritizing the protection of uninvolved populations in Gaza, despite the damage caused to the element of surprise and the associated risk to Israeli soldiers.

Conversely, Hamas is intentionally targeting Israeli civilians, launching attacks from schools, mosques and densely populated areas in Gaza, obstructs the evacuation of uninvolved Palestinians, and shamelessly exploits civilians as human shields. Committing double war crimes, Hamas deliberately endangers Palestinian civilians while targeting Israeli civilians. The loss of innocent lives on both sides is solely the responsibility of Hamas, who deliberately place Gazans in the line of fire in the hopes of generating enough international pressure to force an untimely ceasefire.

In historical context, decisive actions were taken in response to unprecedented aggression. The U.S. did not call for a ceasefire after the attack on Pearl Harbor; instead, the war ended with Japan's complete capitulation. Democracies united against Nazi Germany during World War II, recognizing that victory required defeating the Nazis. After 9/11, Americans rightfully demanded forceful action to prevent further terrorist attacks, and the international community did not support ISIS's “right” to continue its atrocities.

In the face of an unprovoked, massive and brutal attack on its population, Israel, like any other nation, has an inherent right, and responsibility, to defend its borders and protect its population. Instead of compelling Israel to disarm before eliminating a deadly threat, the international community should acknowledge this right and support efforts to ensure lasting peace and security.

I would ask every government to honestly consider the following question: what would you do if your country was attacked like Israel was on October 7, and how would your people demand you acts in similar circumstances?

October 7 should serve as a global wake-up call, noting that the jihadi fanatics in Gaza will never accept Israel's existence within any borders. Hamas consistently chooses death over life, and its terrorists took glee in raping, torturing, and murdering, while abducting the survivors, from babies to the elderly, to be used as bargaining chips. These monstrosities, coupled with declarations that they will repeat these inexcusable acts whenever the opportunity arises, underscore the urgency of preventing their regrouping, rearming, and launching future attacks.

Calling for a ceasefire while Hamas still has military capabilities and is holding Israeli civilian hostages is plainly wrong. Those now calling for a ceasefire are, in fact, supporting Hamas and are actually saying that Israel should ignore this constant danger to its civilian population. Well, Israelis cannot live like that, and they refuse to relinquish their right of self-defense or their dreams of living in peace and security.