Setting things straight, Israel vs. Hamas edition

Anyone that's paid attention to Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel knows that Hamas started this war. It's also apparent to anyone with a functioning brain (that omits Joe Biden, BTW) that Israel has the right and obligation to finish Hamas's threat to Israel. Further, people thinking that a 2-state solution is the right option hasn't studied the situation.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu wrote this op-ed to set the record straight on what started this war, when this war started and what it'll take to end this war. PM Netanyahu's op-ed opens by saying "On October 7, Israel was brutally attacked by Hamas terrorists. They murdered over 1,200 people, wounded hundreds, and kidnapped over 200 hostages. In the most lethal attack on Jews since the Holocaust, they raped and decapitated women, killed children in front of their parents, burned babies and mutilated bodies."

Netanyahu’s op-ed continues, saying "After the attack, Hamas officials vowed that they would repeat this savagery 'again and again and again.' In the face of such an attack and such a threat, eliminating Hamas is a necessary and proportionate response." Indeed it is. To those that implore Israel to negotiate a cease-fire, they apparently haven't figured out that Hamas isn't interested in a two-sided cease-fire. The MSM is mostly interested in taking Hamas's side while omitting pro-Israel information:

Israel's requirements are clear, reasonable

We set clear goals: Destroy Hamas, release our hostages, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel. We are committed to continuing the war until these goals are achieved. Once Hamas is destroyed, Gaza will have to be demilitarized and deradicalized. Those are the pillars for future peace. Israel is pursuing its military goals in full compliance with international law.

Those that want long-lasting peace need to give Israel the time to eliminate Hamas's ability to terrorize Israel. It's that simple. Hamas is funded by Iran, which has been chanting "Death to Israel" and "Death to America" since 1979. It's time to take Iran at its word. Hamas's charter explicitly calls for Israel's destruction. It doesn't hint at it. It doesn't imply that. It outright says it. After that, though, western nations think that Israel is the nation that needs instruction?In what weird universe does that make sense?

Doing things the right way

Israel has been targeting Hamas terrorists, not Palestinian civilians. While we have been doing our utmost to keep Palestinian civilians out of harm’s way, Hamas has been doing its utmost to keep them in harm’s way. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued warnings to Palestinian civilians, asking them to evacuate intended combat zones and establish humanitarian corridors for their safe passage; Hamas, on the other hand, has been trying to prevent Palestinian civilians from leaving at gunpoint. We enable food, water, and medicine to enter Gaza for the civilian population; Hamas often diverts and steals these supplies for its use.

This isn't spin. It's well-documented fact. At the start of Hamas's war, the IDF's first target was northern Gaza. The IDF tried warning the Palestinians to evacuate Gaza:

They weren't the only news outlet reporting this:

Israel has played by the rules. Hamas hasn't, to nobody's surprise. Nations have the right to defend themselves. That doesn't mean they have the right to make a little fuss until the world community makes a fuss. It means Israel has the right to annihilate its enemies if Hamas and Hezbollah start a surprise war on civilians. What did Israel do to deserve this? Please spare me the genocide spin. That's nothing but BS.

Israel did not start this war, but Israel will win it. The sooner we do so the better for Israelis, Palestinians, and for anyone seeking a peaceful Middle East.

Amen, Prime Minister Netanyahu.