israel can allow humanitarian aid for a number of weeks to show good faith as hostage negotiations continue. aid can come via egypt and israel, but must be monitored to prevent the transfer of weapons and the hoarding of fuel and supplies by hamas, which has happened in the past. the red cross and other aid organizations can assist hospitals. this will give the united states, saudi arabia, egypt, qatar and others time to negotiate a plan to liberate the hostages.
people take part in prayer after the setting of a shabbat table in toronto for the 200 israeli hostages held by hamas, friday, oct. 27.
peter j. thompson/national post
as difficult as this situation is, israel must never trade captured hamas terrorists for israeli hostages, as this will simply encourage future raids.
the elimination of future threats by hamas and other terrorist groups requires a multi-pronged solution. the most effective weapons used in the attack on israel came from hostile countries such as iran, which use terrorist organizations as proxies to attack democracies. we have to fight back with harsher economic sanctions. israel can also continue to attack supply routes that smuggle in weapons by land, sea and tunnel.
both the military war and the war of public opinion need to be won. only then can a peace be negotiated that installs leadership in gaza that recognizes israel’s right to exist and repudiates terrorism. there needs to be a clear understanding that more terror attacks will simply lead to more misery and hardship. peace, on the other hand, can lead to greater security and prosperity. hopefully, when the fighting is over, such peace will come. it will not be easy, but it will be necessary.
columnist bret stephens of the new york times
characterized
u.s. president joe biden’s recent support for israel and his repudiation of terrorism as his “finest hour.” israel needs to win its war against hamas to bring about its finest hour, as well.