Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) rescued two hostages being held by the Gaza terrorist group Hamas. They had been imprisoned in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the last remaining Hamas stronghold.
That is the same Rafah that President Biden warned Israel against invading. Additionally, Egypt threatened Israel with suspending its mutual 1979 peace treaty should it attack the area.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) rescued two Israeli hostages held by Hamas terrorists in a daring operation in Rafah, Gaza Strip. President Biden reportedly warned against the attack. IDF forces battled Hamas militants, carried out airstrikes, and safely… https://t.co/eTrJomjuvK
— The America One News (@am1_news) February 12, 2024
IDF soldiers used explosives in the attack, killing three Palestinians who had been holding the two Israeli hostages since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. The hostages, ages 61 and 71, were sent to Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital, where they are in good condition.
The families of the two freed hostages will be grateful that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defied the Biden administration in their warnings not to invade Rafah. The city’s normal population is about 280,000, but that has swelled to more than 1.4 million due to citizens fleeing the active war zones in Gaza’s northern region. This has raised “humanitarian” concerns.
John Kirby from the National Security Council has said that any military operation in the area would be a “disaster”, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the war “cannot proceed” under the current conditions. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated on X: “The people in Gaza cannot disappear into thin air.”
If Israel were to proceed with the directive that absolutely no civilians are to be harmed, they would be at the mercy of an enemy that has shown absolutely no issue with making human shields of their own people. Hamas has already set up operational bases in Gaza hospitals, which is against international law.
There are 134 Israel hostages who remain as “guests” of Hamas. Israel ought to make reasonable provisions to target only “bad guys” in all rescue efforts in the densely populated city. However, the priority would rightly be placed on preserving the lives of their own citizens — including the elderly and children — held prisoner for over four months.
For those who do not hold the antisemitic view that Israel has no right to exist – and therefore no right to defend itself— there is no other tenable position.
