After facing many years of hostility and violence, Israel is finally fighting back. On Dec. 27, 2008, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) launched Operation Cast Lead, the largest Israeli operation in the Gaza strip since the Six-Day War in 1967. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Bakar stated that the three basic goals precipitating the Israel government’s decision for Operation Cast Lead are to deal Hamas a large blow, to transform the situation in Gaza and to terminate the rocket attacks against Israeli citizens. Overall, Israeli’s military tactic is purely out of necessary self-defense from the terrorist organization Hamas.

Since the Israeli withdrawal of the Gaza strip in 2005, Hamas has bombarded Israeli citizens with over 6,000 rockets, more than 1,000 of which were fired in of December alone. This endangerment of its people warrants Israel the right to act defensively. According to Human Rights officials, the Hamas’ targeting of Israeli citizens is “[a] blatant [violation] of the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.” Although many people incorrectly accuse Israel of being aggressors and initiating genocide against the Palestinian people, it is evident that Hamas and its followers are the true assailants while the Israeli government is simply defending its people.

While visiting the Israeli town of Sderot, President Barack Obama said: “If somebody was sending rockets into my house, where my two daughters sleep at night, I’m going to do everything in my power to stop that.” Obama relays the notion that Israel has every right to defend its people and should use all means possible, even full out warfare, in order to keep its citizens safe.

Hamas has been identified as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union and has been working to eradicate the Jewish state of Israel and its people. According to the Covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas’ charter, Hamas supports many outrageous ideas that greatly oppose U.S. beliefs. For instance, Hamas has disowned Egypt as an ally because of the “treacherous Camp David agreement” with the United States and believes that Zionists seek the annihilation of Islam and are responsible for the drug trade and alcoholism as a means of expanding their Jewish empire. Clearly, Hamas’ ideals are both erroneous and ridiculous and it is deplorable that this terrorist organization receives tremendous funding and support from other countries.

With the aid of Iran, Hamas has enhanced its arsenal, purposely firing hundreds of rockets and mortars at densely populated Israeli cities, targeting private homes, schools, daycares, hospitals and recreation centers. The IDF has only targeted Hamas operation centers and puts the lives of its own soldiers at risk by carrying out advance warning to Palestinian civilians that it intends to have operations in specific locations. Additionally, Israel has been working with humanitarian organizations to send aid into the Gaza strip, including over 10,000 tons of food and medicine within the first ten days of the assault.

Although the number of Palestinian casualties greatly outnumbers the Israeli deaths, Israel is not to blame. Hamas leaders strategically place their arsenals, weapons and meeting centers among their populace, knowingly putting numerous innocent civilians at risk. To prevent killing thousands of harmless denizens, Israeli soldiers warn the people about the future bombing.

However, Hamas prevents these citizens from leaving in hopes of earning international sympathy as their civilian death toll sky rockets.

Although it is unfortunate, it is not possible for peace to be achieved between Israel and the Palestinians because of the terrorist organization Hamas’ attempts to destroy the Israel. The only means for Israel to defend its citizens from Hamas is to retaliate and attack.