Pirate's Cove

I must say, this piece by the Washington Post Editorial Board surprised the heck out of me. Rarely should we expect them to take a position defending Israel in such a manner. This just isn’t done in Liberal World. On the WP web front page it is entitled “Hamas’s depraved strategy”, with the subtag “Much of the world blames Israel for killing Palestinians, but Hamas put them at risk.”

The U.S. should push for the disarming of Hamas in Gaza-Israel cease-fire

THE DISTINGUISHING feature of the latest war between Israel and Hamas is “offensive tunnels,” as the Israeli army calls them. As of early Wednesday, 28 had been uncovered in Gaza, and nearly half extend into Israel, according to Israeli officials. The tunnels are the reason that the government of Benjamin Netanyahu decided last weekend to launch a ground invasion of Gaza, and they explain why that operation has strong support from Israelis in spite of the relatively heavy casualties it has inflicted. Most significantly, the tunnels show why it has been difficult to reach a cease-fire and why any accord must forge a new political and security order in Gaza.

Hamas’s offensive tunnels should not be confused with the burrows it has dug under Gaza’s border with Egypt to smuggle money, consumer goods and military equipment. The newly discovered structures have only one conceivable purpose: to launch attacks inside Israel. Three times in recent days, Hamas fighters emerged from the tunnels in the vicinity of Israeli civilian communities, which they clearly aimed to attack. The ­concrete-lined structures are stocked with materials, such as handcuffs and tranquilizers, that could be used on hostages. Other tunnels in northern Gaza are designed for the storage and firing of missiles at Israeli cities.

The editorial goes on to note the cost of building these tunnels, suggested to be $1 million per, money that could be better spent on infrastructure and enriching the lives of Gazans. They use massive amounts of concrete, which could, again, be used for infrastructure. Is it any wonder that Israel had been blockading most concrete, before international pressure forced them to relent? The tunnels originate in civilian areas, including a hospital.

The depravity of Hamas’s strategy seems lost on much of the outside world, which — following the terrorists’ script — blames Israel for the civilian casualties it inflicts while attempting to destroy the tunnels. While children die in strikes against the military infrastructure that Hamas’s leaders deliberately placed in and among homes, those leaders remain safe in their own tunnels. There they continue to reject cease-fire proposals, instead outlining a long list of unacceptable demands.

Obviously, this blaming of the real perpetrators, Hamas, has driven the Israel and Jew hating left nuts in the comments. There’s nothing that can be written or said that would allow the Leftists to assign blame to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.

…Instead, any political accord should come after a cease-fire and be negotiated with the Palestinian leadership of Mahmoud Abbas. It should link opening of the borders and other economic concessions to the return to Gaza of the security forces of the Palestinian Authority, the disarmament of Hamas and elections for a new government.

The WP notes a poll that Gazans are fed up with Hamas’ rule, and they deserve a government that “invest in schools, health clinics, and houses”. Unfortunately, the people of Gaza voted for Hamas the first time, when they had a chance to move towards a much less incendiary government. There’s no guarantee that they would choose different next time.