In parallel to a punishing military operation, Isael has already cut off electricity and fuel to Gaza (that’s right, as good neighbors we provide the power for Hamas to build its weapons and bunkers). That’s a start. We must cease the delivery through any Israeli port or border crossing of anything. Not even a roll of toilet paper. We must cut off any boats going out, much less coming back in. This is war, and while Judaism has clear rules about going to war, there is no room for empowering or emboldening the terrorists one bit.
Admittedly, there’s anger in my words. As much as I want the terrorists to pay a heavy price, and as much as I don’t want my son or any other Israeli soldier having to go into Gaza to root out the terrorists (and free our hostages) by putting their own lives at risk, we need to do whatever needs to be done to restore deterrence. It needs to be done in such a way that nobody will ever think, for a very long time, about raising a hand against Israel.
Maybe, just maybe, if Gazans suffer enough, they will realize that it’s not Israel that is the problem, but being held hostage by Hamas/Iran. Maybe they will do something to take back their prime coastal real estate and build a society with a future, not one that exists to destroy ours. Alas, I dream again.
Pray for Israel’s swift military victory. Pray for the soldiers. Pray for the return of every Israeli hostage. Pray for the families of the hostages and those murdered. Pray that as deep a scar this is and will be on Israel for a very long time, that Israel will restore deterrence, be victorious, that the world will not flip in the sight of Arab blood and demand Israel stop, and that we will heal and continue to thrive.
