Cabinet decides on ceasefire
Photo: GPO
I prefer to be Israeli
Unilateral ceasefire is lesser evil; organization like Hamas can’t be eliminated
This is the State of Israel, for better and for worse.
For eight years, the people around here demanded, and demanded, and demanded a response to Hamas’ attacks from Gaza. After eight years of strikes on Sderot and other Gaza-region communities, IDF forces embarked on a response, as most Israeli citizens demanded.
Hamas’ men in Gaza fled the IDF and assimilated into the civilian population. The army mostly had to cope with explosive devices.
In order to prevent casualties on our side, IDF soldiers utilized immense firepower – and when such immense firepower is utilized via aircraft, cannons, mortars, and guns the devastation on the other side is immense too. Gaza residents who headed out of their shelters Sunday couldn’t believe what they saw: Complete destructions on all directions and high-rises that turned into rubble.
The moment IDF forces embarked on this war, it was made clear that we are not talking about the “elimination,” “destruction,” or “obliteration” of Hamas. It was clearly declared that the intension is merely to “punish Hamas” and set a steep price tag for rocket attacks on Israeli communities. Yet this is the State of Israel, for better and for worse. On Saturday already we heard people wondering: This is it? Can’t we do more?
Well, we cannot “eliminate” such terror organization in Gaza, unless we stay there for more than a year, go from house to house, from backyard to backyard, and from sewage pit to attic – and even then, we will not see “elimination.” Those who speak about “elimination” understand nothing and are just part of the useless chatter. A unilateral ceasefire is the best we can achieve.
Our political decision-making mechanism operated properly and wisely during the 20 days of the fighting. The IDF operated “by the book” and showed what we wanted it to show: Determination, a wise command, and fighting spirit. However, as was the case in the past, the civilians in the bomb shelters held on, and their patience enabled the IDF to operate, with soldiers doing the hard work. May God bless them and safeguard them.
The unilateral ceasefire is the lesser evil. It may not hold, and the fire may be resumed. Hamas will no doubt declare victory. Whatever.
At this time, I’m reminded of the words uttered by Major General Chaim Herzog on the first day of the Six-Day War. “Had I been asked,” he said, “whether I wish to be an Egyptian fighter pilot or an Israeli civilian, I would of course prefer to be Israeli.”
This morning, I prefer to be Israeli.
