It’s hard to watch the news coming out of Gaza without feeling a deep sense of sorrow. Israeli forces have resumed ground operations in the Gaza Strip, and the airstrikes have taken a heavy toll on Palestinian lives. War is ugly, brutal, and heart-wrenching, and no one should take lightly the loss of innocent life.

But let’s not forget how we got here. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a brutal, unprovoked attack on Israel, murdering and kidnapping innocent civilians. Families were torn apart, lives were shattered, and the world witnessed the horrifying reality of terrorism in action. Israel didn’t ask for this conflict. It didn’t wake up one morning looking to wage war on Gaza. This all started because Hamas chose violence—and when violence is chosen, violence inevitably follows.

A Harsh Reality: Hamas and Its Grip on Gaza

The reality that too many people seem to overlook is that the Gaza Strip is governed by a terrorist organization—Hamas. It’s not some grassroots charity movement. It’s a group that has openly called for the destruction of Israel and has demonstrated its commitment to that goal through decades of bloodshed and terror. What’s worse is that Hamas didn’t seize power in some unexpected coup. In 2006, the people of Gaza elected Hamas to govern. Yes, it’s been almost 20 years since that election, and they’ve never held another one, but the consequences of that choice have been catastrophic.

Think about it—Hamas has ruled Gaza with an iron fist, not focusing on building infrastructure or fostering peace but on stockpiling weapons, constructing terror tunnels, and spreading hatred. They’ve made it clear that they value rockets over roads and tunnels over textbooks. While Israel has invested in building up its society and ensuring its citizens’ safety, Hamas has been busy turning Gaza into a launch pad for terror.

And who suffers the most? The innocent Palestinians who are caught in the crossfire. Hamas uses them as human shields—hiding their weapons in schools, hospitals, and residential areas—knowing full well that civilian casualties make for heart-wrenching headlines that serve their propaganda machine.

Questioning the Casualty Counts

One of the most frustrating aspects of reporting on this conflict is how quickly and unquestioningly the mainstream media accepts Hamas-provided casualty numbers as fact. Isn’t it a bit naive to blindly trust statistics from an organization that routinely lies to its own people and the world? While it’s undeniable that civilians have died—and every innocent death is a tragedy—we should be cautious about accepting Hamas’ numbers at face value. They know that every tragic photo and every grieving mother makes the world more sympathetic to their cause. They know that inflating numbers serves their agenda.

And yet, we rarely see the same level of scrutiny given to Hamas’ claims as we do to Israel’s responses. That’s not just irresponsible journalism—it’s dangerous. It feeds into a false narrative that paints Israel as the villain and Hamas as the victim, ignoring the reality that Hamas started this war and continues to perpetuate it.

Ceasefires and Broken Promises

Earlier this month, Israel agreed to a temporary ceasefire proposed by the United States, aimed at honoring both Ramadan and Passover. The deal was simple: Hamas would release half of the hostages immediately and the rest upon reaching a permanent truce. But what did Hamas do? They rejected the plan outright, clinging to the phased deal that had been agreed upon earlier.

Think about that for a moment. Israel was willing to pause the conflict to respect religious observances, but Hamas refused to cooperate. Why? Because hostages are their bargaining chips. They’re not interested in peace—they’re interested in leverage. If they were genuinely concerned about their people’s safety and future, they would hand over every hostage without delay and lay down their arms.

The Path to Peace Starts with Accountability

If the people of Gaza truly want peace, they need to reject Hamas’ leadership. They need to demand new elections and choose leaders who will invest in the future instead of dragging them into endless cycles of violence. It’s tragic to think that so many lives could have been saved if Hamas had chosen diplomacy over destruction.

It’s not unreasonable to expect Palestinians to take some responsibility for their governance. After all, they elected Hamas, and they’ve allowed them to remain in power through fear and intimidation. But that choice doesn’t have to define their future. They can choose leaders who value life over death, and prosperity over perpetual war. The world would welcome a Gaza led by peacemakers rather than terrorists.

Israel’s Right to Self-Defense

Let’s be clear: Israel has a fundamental right—and an obligation—to defend its citizens. No nation on earth would tolerate relentless rocket attacks and the murder of its people without responding. The difference between Israel and Hamas is that Israel values life, even the lives of its enemies, while Hamas glorifies death and martyrdom.

The best way to end this war is simple: Hamas must surrender and release every single hostage. There is no moral equivalence here—one side is defending itself, while the other initiated unprovoked violence. As long as Hamas continues to pursue terrorism and hide behind civilians, Israel will be forced to respond.

Pray for Peace, But Stand for Truth

We must pray for the innocent lives caught in the crossfire and for the restoration of peace. But we must also stand for truth. The narrative pushed by some in the media ignores the root cause of this conflict—Hamas’ unyielding desire to destroy Israel. Until that mindset changes, the cycle of violence will continue.

The people of Gaza have the power to break this cycle. They must reject the ideology of hatred and choose leaders who prioritize peace and development. Until then, Israel will continue to do what any sovereign nation must do: defend its right to exist.

And as Christians, we know that true peace comes not just from political solutions but from changed hearts. Let’s pray that both Israelis and Palestinians will seek God’s wisdom and guidance, and that one day, this land can know the peace that passes all understanding.