The conflict between Israel and Hamas is one of the most enduring and contentious in modern history. For many, the concept of a “just war” provides a framework for understanding the moral and ethical dimensions of Israel’s actions against Hamas. The horrors of the brutality on innocent Israeli civilians of October 7, 2023, are still fresh in the minds of conscientious people globally. Till today, Israeli citizens who were kidnapped during the terror attack on Israel continue to remain hostages with Hamas.
People are shedding tears from the plight of the people of Palestine, rightfully so on humanitarian grounds, but it is the people of Palestine that have provided the emotional and mental encouragement for a diabolical organisation like Hamas and its leaders to unleash unprecedented evils on the people of Israel.
A just war, according to traditional criteria, is fought for a just cause, with the right intention, under legitimate authority, and as a last resort, among other conditions. Applying these principles, Israel’s actions against Hamas can be considered justifiable under several key points.
One of the primary criteria for a just war is having a just cause, often interpreted as self-defence. Israel has faced a persistent threat from Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip. Hamas, designated as a terrorist organisation by many countries including the United States and the European Union, has launched thousands of rockets into Israeli civilian areas over the years. These attacks have resulted in numerous casualties and have created a constant state of fear and insecurity among Israeli citizens. Israel’s military actions are often framed as necessary measures to protect its population from these indiscriminate attacks. The terror attack on October 7, 2023, is a reflection of the hate of the Hamas towards the people of Israel and the terror it will continue to unleash if it is not eradicated.
A just war must be fought with the right intention, such as the pursuit of peace and security. Israel’s military operations against Hamas aim to dismantle the group’s ability to launch attacks and degrade its military infrastructure. This is seen as a necessary step to safeguard Israeli civilians and to bring long-term stability to the region. The Israeli government asserts that its actions are not motivated by conquest or revenge but by the need to protect its people and secure its borders. Israel is not attacking the people of Palestine, it is attacking Hamas. Unfortunately, for the people of Palestine, Hamas has been using their women and children as human shields because Palestinians have nurtured the unhindered rise of Hamas in their hate for the people of Israel and are now caught in between the Devil and the deep blue sea. There will be collateral damage. And in a war, it is normally the innocent civilians that become the victims of the violence, whether the violence is justified or not.
In a just war, military action must be authorised by a legitimate authority. As a sovereign state, Israel has the right to defend itself against external threats. The Israeli government, elected by its citizens, has the authority to make decisions regarding national security and defence. This includes the deployment of military force against groups like Hamas that pose a direct threat to the country’s security.
A key condition for a just war is that it should be a last resort, undertaken only after all other options have been exhausted. Israel has engaged in numerous peace negotiations and ceasefire agreements with Hamas and other Palestinian factions. Despite these efforts, lasting peace has remained elusive, with Hamas often resuming hostilities like the terror attack on October 7, 2023. Israel’s resort to military action is presented as a response to the failure of diplomatic measures to ensure the safety of its citizens. At this point, Hamas continues to hold Israeli hostages. And it is the responsibility of the Israeli government to free its citizens from captivity. More importantly, it is also important for Israel to ensure that the terror organisation Hamas is wiped out from the face of the earth. The killing of innocent civilians, rape of Israeli women are images that will haunt the people of Israel for years to come and they will seek justice.
The principle of proportionality in a just war requires that the harm caused by military action must not be excessive about the anticipated benefits. Israel argues that it takes significant steps to minimise civilian casualties during its operations in Gaza. This includes issuing warnings before strikes, targeting military installations, and using precision weapons. However, the densely populated nature of Gaza and Hamas’s practice of embedding military assets within civilian areas complicates these efforts and often leads to tragic collateral damage.
While many argue that Israel’s actions meet the criteria of a just war, the conflict remains deeply controversial. Critics point to the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties and the humanitarian impact of the blockade on Gaza. They argue that Israel’s actions sometimes exceed the bounds of proportionality and that more should be done to protect innocent lives. However, this criticism is illogical and untenable because the people of Palestine have always provided cover for the Hamas terrorists. You cannot play with fire and then play victim after getting burned by the fire. The people of Palestine are responsible for their current predicament and Hamas will exploit them to protect their existence. None of the top Hamas leaders operate out of Gaza, they live lavishly outside of the war zone but are content with Palestinians dying for their cause. More importantly, when the Hamas terrorists returned to Gaza after unleashing hell in Israel, it was the Palestinian people who rejoiced at the plight of the innocent Israeli civilians, some Israeli women soldiers were brutalised but not one Palestinian in the videos or images showed humanness towards the hostages.
There is no doubt that the cyclical nature of the conflict raises questions about the effectiveness of military solutions in achieving lasting peace. The ongoing violence perpetuates a cycle of retaliation and suffering on both sides, making it difficult to see a clear path to resolution. Therefore for peace to prevail between Israel and Palestine, Hamas must be eradicated because Hamas is the enemy for both countries. Palestinians will be fooling themselves thinking that Hamas is working for their interest.
The concept of a just war provides a framework to understand the moral and ethical justifications for Israel’s actions against Hamas. From the perspective of self-defence, right intention, legitimate authority, last resort, and proportionality, many argue that Israel’s military operations are justifiable. However, the complexity of the conflict, the humanitarian impact, and the persistent cycle of violence highlight the need for continued efforts towards a diplomatic and peaceful resolution. Understanding these dimensions is crucial in appreciating the profound challenges faced by both Israelis and Palestinians in their quest for peace and security. And the only solution is putting an end to the terror organisation Hamas.
