Letter to the editor: What can Israel do when faced with Hamas threats?

What would you have Israel do? Hamas brutally attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing over 1,200 Israelis, concertgoers, old men, women (raping many before killing them), children and babies. A proportional number of Americans would be over 30,000 Americans killed. Hamas has promised more attacks into Israel. Hamas’ stated goal is to eliminate Israel and kill all Jews. Should Israel allow that to happen?

Hamas still holds over 100 hostages. They have not provided an accounting of whom they hold, their conditions or even if they are dead or alive. If Hamas would offer to release the remaining hostages, a cease-fire would occur immediately. Why are the protesters not demanding accountability from Hamas?

Hamas built a network of tunnels under Gaza, using money that should have gone to humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. They have no hesitation to use civilians as human shields. Why is that OK?

Egypt and Lebanon have not opened their borders to allow refuge to the Palestinians. They are supposed to be brothers. They, along with Saudi Arabia, seem to have abandoned Palestine to humanitarian aid from the U.S. Why not insist the other Arab states do something? Instead it is their strategy to let the Palestinians suffer to ignite anti-Israeli feelings.

While Israel is not without blame, the degree of pro-Palestinian protest seems disproportionate. Everyone seems to have forgotten what precipitated this situation. What should Israel’s response to Oct. 7 and Hamas’ genocidal rhetoric be?

Mary Beth Walling

North Huntingdon