Letter to the editor: Remembering Hamas' actions

In the letter “Speaking out for Palestinians” (June 30, TribLive), regarding events at the “No Kings” rally in Pittsburgh, Israel is accused of genocide, forced mass starvation, relentless bombing, constant displacement, an illegal siege, ongoing ethnic cleansing, colonization and apartheid. The writer also states that an objective of the rally was to uphold human rights and hold Palestine as the symbol of the inherent worthiness and right to live free from oppression for all people.

I guess the fact that the war was started by Hamas, the elected representative of the Palestinian people in Gaza, when they massacred 1,200 Israeli citizens and others Oct. 7, and dragged 250 hostages back to Gaza, where they were kept in horrific conditions, is old news that no longer needs to be repeated — it was a long time ago and nobody really is bothered by that anymore.

Further, not one word is said and certainly no blame is attached to the fact that Hamas, the elected representative of the Palestinian people, hides behind its own civilian population, using them as human shields, and places their military operation centers in civilian facilities such as schools, hospitals and refugee camps. All this while their leaders surround themselves with hostages, both living and dead, in an effort to deter Israeli military attacks.

Using civilians and hostages as human shields against legitimate military operations is a war crime under international humanitarian law. When was the last time you heard this mentioned at a rally to support the Palestinian people? When was the last time you heard Hamas blamed for anything?

Falk Kantor

Glenshaw