Israel’s foes will suffer the consequences of their cowardly attacks | Opinion
In the early hours of Shabbat, on the sacred holiday of Simchat Torah, Israel found itself under attack. Exactly 50 years after the Yom Kippur war, terrorists affiliated with Hamas, backed by Iran, initiated a massive assault on our civilian population.
This unprovoked aggression targeted innocent citizens as they gathered to celebrate with their families in their communities. More than 200 civilian casualties and soldiers, an unknown number of kidnapped individuals, and more than 1,000 have been injured as a result of this heinous event.
These acts of terror, marked by indiscriminate rocket fire from Gaza into Israeli territory and terrorists infiltrating our borders, demonstrate Hamas’ cruel and reckless nature. Our nation and people, known for their resilience, now face a resolute adversary, one that has chosen to attack us during a sacred time of celebration.
We mourn the loss of innocent lives and stand with their families in their time of grief.
It is crucial to emphasize that this attack has come without any prior provocation or action on Israel’s part. For an extended period, Israel has been actively seeking ways to improve the civilian situation in Gaza, striving for peace and stability in the region. Regrettably, this attack reaffirms what we have long known: Hamas has no interest in the welfare of the Gaza Strip’s residents. Instead, It exploits their own people as pawns in a relentless campaign to harm Israeli citizens.
Israel, as a sovereign nation, has a fundamental right, and duty, to protect its citizens from such unprovoked violence. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will not waver in its commitment to safeguarding our citizens. We have and will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure their safety. Hamas and all terrorist organizations involved will bear the heavy price for their actions.
These terrorist organizations are not isolated entities; they are backed by the Ayatollah regime in Iran. It is a known sponsor of terrorism and actively promotes attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets globally. This attack is yet another manifestation of their malign influence in the region.
We must also acknowledge the unique challenges Israel faces in this situation. While our primary goal is to protect our citizens, we are confronted with terrorist organizations that operate deliberately within densely populated areas, using innocent civilians as human shields. This reprehensible tactic results in double war crimes: the indiscriminate targeting of civilians while cynically placing them in harm’s way.
In the face of such adversity, Israel remains resolute. We will continue to defend ourselves against any threat to our security. We will not shy away from the possibility of a broader operation in Gaza if necessary to achieve our goals. Hamas, as the de facto authority in Gaza, bears full responsibility for this attack and will be held accountable for its consequences.
To those who may harbor thoughts of testing our resilience, let this message be clear: Anyone attempting to harm our nation will suffer the consequences. Israel stands united in the face of adversity, and we will overcome this challenge as we have done before — with determination, resilience and a commitment to the safety and security of our citizens.
We appreciate the outpouring of support we have received from elected officials, communities and individuals and the special relation the state of Israel has with the United States in general and with the wonderful state of Florida in particular.
We will win, and we will prevail.
Maor Elbaz-Starinsky is consul general of Israel in Miami.
This story was originally published October 7, 2023 at 5:04 PM.