The War of Attrition: Hamas's Goals

            The conflict in Gaza has taken on an even worse and much direr condition. As Israel has begun a series of aerial bombing campaigns in order to destroy Hamas’s rockets and tunnels, the little infrastructure that Palestine has is being erased. This comes from a military need to destroy Hamas’s attempts to hide their military bases and tunnels amongst civilian homes.

            While I regret, as I am sure many Israeli soldiers do as well, that they must target areas with high civilian populations, Hamas holds primary responsibility for this conflict and for the civilian casualties. In essence, Hamas is hoping for a war of attrition on its own people. As more civilians die, the criticism against Israel grows. As more homes and schools are destroyed, Hamas gains more support.

            It is strange to see that in the course of war, a group would want their own people to suffer and die. However, Hamas is not an ordinary political actor or state. It is a terrorist organization, one that has been targeting Israelis for years with rockets and has been attempting to get Israel to respond with military strikes. It is an instigator and is not helpful for developing a solution to the conflict.

            In order for there to be peace, there must be a strengthening and rise of the moderates within the Gaza Strip who speak for the Palestinian people. Israel must do more than weaken Hamas, it must show the world what Hamas really is and the alternatives to their ideals.