Military action is something that never should be taken lightly. It is the last resort when all other means of achieving a political objective have failed. Most wars aren't necessary. Somebody once said war isn't necessary or justifiable. I think it is when defending one's own country against hostile actions.
Hamas militants continue to fire rockets targeting Israeli civilian targets. The rockets are able to reach deeper into Israel than ever before. The missiles are landing 25 miles from Tel Aviv. Sooner or later Tel Aviv maybe hit.
Israel has every right to defend itself and citizens from such attacks.
Civilians shouldn't live in fear of random attacks. Israel is right to take military action in defending itself and try to incapacitate the rocket launchers.
However Gaza is already a poor faltering state. Hamas controls the territory and has stated that the destruction of Israel is a political objective. Hamas, however, doesn't have the military or economic means to destroy Israel. Part of the rhetoric serves to united the Gazans and keep their minds off the current economic state. It serves Hamas well to have an enemy they can point to. They blame Israel for all Gaza's problems.
Not that Israel is completely innocent in the current mess. Israel's settlements helped paint them as occupiers and therefore an enemy. Israel maintains a blockade of goods that continues to cripple the Gaza and other Palestinian economies.
What is created is a vicious cycle. Israel blockades, Hamas attacks, Israel blockades and retaliates, Hamas hits back again and so on. There is no end to this cycle.
Israel is trying to put an end to it. They are sending troops into Gaza to dismantle the ability to launch rockets into Israel. How much force is necessary though? Should Israel continue to destroy Hamas infrastructure or is the ground invasion justifiable? Israel should take every means needed to incapacitate the ability to launch rockets. They should obviously avoid civilian casualties when they can. Sadly civilians will suffer in this action whether through direct action or by destruction of infrastructure. Hamas is entrenched in Gaza and they have to be rooted out. Civilians will bare the brunt of the action.
The mess on the ground built up over the years though will continue to fester. No matter what Israel achieves militarily the situation will not change. Hamas and other terrorists will continue to find ways to attack Israel. Somehow, some way a new state and strong economy must be built up in the Palestinian territories. How though is beyond my scope or abilities.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
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