Hamas to blame for destruction in Gaza

In his Aug. 8 letter, (“Where’s the outrage over Gaza slaughter?”) Richard W. Lewis, Jr refers to Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel as a “stupid decision.” Would he also refer to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, as a “stupid decision?” Both of these attacks were in fact “acts of war” not “stupid decisions.” Acts of war typically lead to dire consequences.

During World War II, between 670,000 and 800,000 Japanese civilians died. This estimate includes deaths from conventional bombing raids, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and disease. The attack by Japan resulted in catastrophic losses in Japan, just as the attack by Hamas is resulting in catastrophic losses in Gaza.

Japan ended the war and the misery of its population by surrendering on Sept. 2, 1945. Hamas could similarly end the misery of civilians in Gaza by surrendering and returning the remaining hostages. However, Hamas seems committed to martyring every civilian in Gaza in its desire to destroy Israel.

Mr. Lewis calls Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal.” Would he also call former President Harry S. Truman a “war criminal” for deciding to drop the atomic bombs on Japan?

The United States was responsible for dropping the atomic bombs on Japan. However Japan is to blame for the destruction in its country. Likewise, Israel is responsible for much of the destruction in Gaza. However Hamas is to blame for this destruction.

Don Steiner

Silver Spring, MD

(formerly of Niskayuna)

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