As a Palestinian human rights activist, I feel compelled to weigh in on the ongoing military operation in Rafah, which has been often misrepresented in various circles. This operation, led by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), is not merely a response to aggression but a crucial rescue mission aimed at freeing hostages, including U.S. citizens. The responsibility for this escalation lies squarely with the terrorist group Hamas, which has continuously rejected multiple ceasefire proposals and escalated violence against civilians.
Hamas, entrenched in Gaza, particularly in Rafah, has exploited the city's strategic position and civilian infrastructure to fortify its military capabilities. Hamas still has four battalions in Rafah, the bulk of its undamaged fighting strength. By rejecting ceasefire after ceasefire—regardless of recent stunts—Hamas has not only endangered the lives of Palestinians and Israelis alike, but also manipulated the deteriorating humanitarian situation to its advantage. Each refusal to engage in peaceful negotiations has been a calculated decision to sustain conflict and suffering, primarily aimed at garnering international sympathy through the lens of victimhood.
Contrary to the portrayals of indiscriminate military aggression, the IDF's operation in Rafah is a targeted effort to dismantle Hamas's terror infrastructure and rescue hostages. It's essential to recognize this operation as a response to direct provocations by Hamas, including the horrific atrocities they perpetrated on Oct. 7, massacring over 1,200 individuals, many of whom they first raped and genitally mutilated—actions that underscore Hamas's contempt for human life.
The recent takeover by the IDF of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was a strategic move to cut off Hamas's access to crucial supply routes used to perpetuate violence. The precision strikes conducted by the IDF, particularly in East Rafah, have been aimed at military targets, ensuring minimal civilian casualties despite the challenging urban combat environment.
There is a troubling tendency in international media and some political circles to equate the actions of the IDF with those of Hamas. This false equivalence not only distorts the reality on the ground but also undermines the legitimate security concerns of both Israel and the ordinary Palestinians who reject terrorism. It is crucial to differentiate between a sovereign nation's right to defend its citizens and terrorist acts that target innocent civilians.
Hamas's misrule in Gaza has had devastating effects on its population. The enforcement of modesty codes and the legal protection of killings are just surface manifestations of the more profound societal control imposed by Hamas. The statistics are grim: 29 percent of women in Gaza were married by the age of 18, and 13.4 percent by the age of 15. The Hamas education system pushes horrific misogynistic and antisemitic content, indoctrinating children from childhood that the only role of women is to bear children to wage "holy war" against Jews. LGBTQ+ individuals face the threat of torture and execution.
Fundamentally, Hamas violated a longstanding ceasefire on Oct. 7, with their invasion and atrocities, and it has prolonged the conflict by refusing to release the civilian captives, who we know are being raped continuously in Gaza, according to both freed hostages and the United Nations. Hamas' continuous rocket attacks and its history of using civilians as human shields also bear significant responsibility for the ongoing violence.
The narrative that the IDF's actions in Rafah are unprovoked is not only inaccurate but dangerously misleading. As we strive for peace and justice, it is essential to hold Hamas accountable for its actions, which have directly led to the escalation of this conflict. Only by addressing the real provocateur can we hope to achieve a lasting peace that benefits both Palestinians and Israelis. As a Palestinian dedicated to human rights, I urge the international community to recognize the necessity of Israel's operation in Rafah, not as an act of aggression, but as a defense against terrorism and a step towards freeing innocent people from the tyranny of Hamas.
Bassem Eid is a Palestinian human rights activist. He lives in the West Bank.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
