Israeli airstrikes landing on Gaza last Thursday (Source: Telegram)

Let Israel Do To Hamas What The World Did To ISIS, Here Is Why

Details
Jay Engelmayer
Explainer

In the aftermath of a tragic event that witnessed the deadliest attack on Jews in a single day since the Holocaust, the world finds itself grappling with a challenging narrative. While the brutality of Hamas is evident, there's a growing tendency to scrutinize Israel's response, leading to questions about proportionality and international standards. In this exploration, we will draw a meaningful comparison with the fight against ISIS to shed light on the complexities surrounding these two distinct conflicts.

I. The Response to ISIS:

When ISIS, known as Daesh in Arabic, emerged as a global threat with its gruesome actions, the Western world came together to confront this perilous menace. ISIS's territorial expansion across Iraq and Syria, along with horrifying tales of women forced into sexual slavery, sent shockwaves across North America and Europe. In 2014, Operation Inherent Resolve was launched, under the leadership of the President Obama in his second term, with strong backing from key allies such as Canada, the UK, France, Netherlands, and Belgium. The mission was unambiguous: annihilate ISIS.

Rhetoric and Response:
President Obama's pledge to "degrade and ultimately destroy ISIS" and then Vice President Biden's depiction of them as "barbarians" set the tone for a determined response. Importantly, these statements were not interpreted as threats of genocide but as a proportionate and justified reaction to the imminent threat posed by the Islamic State.

Scale of Operations:
Operation Inherent Resolve mainly relied on airstrikes, totaling approximately 25,000, and featured major ground operations in urban areas, most notably in Raqqa (Syria) and Mosul (Iraq). Estimates suggest that airstrikes by the US, UK, and French air forces resulted in casualties ranging from 70,000 to 80,000. Coordinated ground operations left cities like Raqqa and Mosul significantly damaged, with less than 30% of the buildings remaining intact.

Comparing Casualties:
It's noteworthy that by the time ISIS was defeated, the death toll in allied countries stood at hundreds in France and in the dozens in the US, UK, and Belgium. This stands in stark contrast to the staggering loss of life in a single day in Israel during the recent conflict with Hamas. Notably, the combined populations of these allied countries are 50 times larger than that of Israel. Despite the high casualties, there was little dispute about the legitimacy of the operation against ISIS.

Outcome:
Crucially, Operation Inherent Resolve achieved the elimination of a clear and present threat to civilized nations. It did not pave the way for a resurgence of ISIS or embolden extremist ideologies, underscoring the efficacy of this unwavering response.

II. Israel's Objective in Gaza:

Drawing parallels to Israel's ongoing efforts against Hamas in Gaza reveals a shared objective—to eradicate a brutal regime with a history of oppressing its own people and creating symapthy for terror in western societies, especially as it relates to attacks against Jews and Israel.

Hamas's Track Record:
Hamas, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, has been responsible for violence and bloodshed, including a violent takeover of Gaza that claimed the lives of hundreds of Palestinian Fatah officials and loyalists. This event served as a grim warning to Gazans about the consequences of opposing Hamas.  They have fired tens of thousands of rockets, missiles and mortars at civilan populations in Israel, committed dozens of terror attacks against civilian populations, including the usage of suicide bombers that have killed hundreds.

In the attack on October 7, 2023 they targeted civilians at a peace festival, killing indiscriminately, kidnapping and raping women and parading dead Israeli bodies throughout the Gaza strip. They assaulted multiple communities, killing babies in front of their parents, excuting the elderly and desecrating the bodies of the dead to a degree so heinous, to describe it in detail would require a content warning in order to publish. As much as Hamas claims these incidents were not officially carried out by them, but by civilan supporters who crossed into Israel with the Hamas force, the videos and pictures of some of these acts clearly show they were carried out by fighters loyal to Hamas. In addition, several captured terrorists admitted that their goal was to rape women, kidnap children and slaughter civilians. If this is not enough, maps found on several dead militants clearly indicate an objective to target civilians.  

Misuse of Aid:
Despite receiving billions in aid intended for the welfare of Gazans, Hamas has diverted these funds to build its terror infrastructure. Essential utilities like electricity, gas, and water in Gaza are supplied by Israel, free of charge. Shockingly, materials meant for infrastructure development have been repurposed by Hamas for rocket production, as they openly boast. Instead of building power plants and sewage treatment facilities, the Hamas-run government has used international aid to build a vast network of tunnels traversing Gaza, purchase weapons and support their leaders living a lavish life in Qatar.

Conclusion:

The parallels between the response to ISIS and Israel's ongoing operation against Hamas in Gaza underline the need for a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics at play. Just as the world rallied to eliminate the ISIS threat despite the associated costs, it should rally behind Israel in its mission to end the reign of Hamas. Prematurely halting or withdrawing from this endeavor would only serve to prolong the conflict, giving Hamas the opportunity to rebuild its terror infrastructure and continue endangering Israeli civilians and prolonging their authoritarian rule over Palestinians. Proportionality must be assessed in light of the threat posed, and Israel's actions should be evaluated accordingly.

The world must recognize that Israel's goal is to protect its citizens and ensure lasting peace in the region. This objective is just as vital as the fight against ISIS was, and it warrants the support, understanding, and commitment of the international community to secure a safer future for all involved.

In addition, it's imperative to acknowledge that Hamas's influence, fostered through various proxies, has seeped into Western society, as seen in recent protests in global cities. These protests, which do not merely condemn Israel but actively support Hamas, demonstrate the success of a campaign to normalize terror against Jews. To prevent this barbaric mentality from further permeating Western society, the world must support the removal of Hamas not only from Gaza but from the face of the earth. Failure to do so would, in effect, condone the continued assault on innocent Jewish civilians and the spread of extremist ideologies that will surely become a larger problem for the global collective.

Sign Up For The Judean Newsletter

 I agree with the Terms and conditions and the Privacy policy

About Us

The Judean is a weekly digital blog highlighting Israel's vibrant Democracy, rich culture, and complex history. Through compelling op-eds, and featured articles, The Judean brings the real Israel into focus. 'From The River To The Sea' Israel is truly free.
Modi'in, Israel 71702
+975-50-226-6956
info@thejudean.com