Is Israel’s battle with Hamas one of self-defense?

Aug 7, 2025
Aug 7, 2025
4

Editor,

Susanne Thiel (letters July 29) insinuates that while Israel “claims self-defense” in the war against Hamas, the real reason Israel fights is because “the (Israeli) government had to prove strength to combat the attackers Hamas.”

(4) comments

Dirk van Ulden Aug 7, 2025 9:10am

Scott - you must be aware of the fact that with Hamas having lost its authority within Gaza, the IDF has acknowledged that there is no authority left and the Palestinians are now left to their own devices. The IDF has failed to establish order as we are witnessing the disastrous and murderous distribution of food on a daily basis. Shouldn't we question the Israeli motive at this point? It is no longer as simple as it seemed even a few months ago. Even our President is at a loss. Netanyahu has created a quagmire that he cannot seem to extract himself from and is now flailing while losing worldwide support. Netanyahu intends to occupy the rest of Gaza while he cannot even effectively and humanely manage what is now under IDF control.

Terence Y Aug 7, 2025 9:23am

Thanks for your letter, Mr. Abramson, however you forget that when emotions are high, everyone defending Hamas will conveniently forget anything that doesn’t fit their world view, such as Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel. A sampling of letters and comments in these pages remind us each day of folks tacitly giving a pass to Hamas. That being said, I appreciate anyone setting the record straight using their head instead of their heart.

edkahl Aug 7, 2025 12:38pm

Hamas's plan calls for a take over of the entire Levant including Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan.

Dirk van Ulden Aug 7, 2025 2:11pm

Ed - sorry but that is not what the European media are reporting. Hamas may have plans but they have lost their grip and their leaders are delusional. Internal factions are now murdering each other. The SF Chronicle confirmed yesterday, in a tiny story, what is happening on the ground there. Muck rakers like Mark Levine are just stirring things up that have no factual basis. Before I am accused of being pro-Hamas and pro-Palestinian, of which I am neither, our extremely biased national news media, on both sides, simply avoid reporting what is going on over there. The poor, voiceless and powerless residents are, as usual, the victims of a horrific power play among Hamas, newly formed terrorist groups, and outright thugs. Let's face it, Netanyahu is in way over his head. When folks compare Hamas with the Nazis, one thing is different; the Nazis controlled their country until the bitter end. There is no government in Gaza, so who do we negotiate with? It seems that most of the world is praying for Trump to solve this war but he would first have to get rid of the Israeli cabinet.

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