Israel Has the Clear Moral High Ground in Gaza

Many geopolitical conflicts are “morally complicated,” writes Charles Krauthammer in the Washington Post, but “the Israel-Gaza war is not.” Israel wants only peace, while Hamas wants only the eradication of Israel. The Israelis are so scrupulous that they contact enemy noncombatants in advance to warn them of impending assaults, whereas Hamas purposely puts its weapon stashes near its own people.

Hamas is hoping that Israel may not attack these facilities or that, if it does, the collateral damage will inspire international outrage against Israel. Hamas “is committed to causing the most civilian pain and suffering on both sides,” Krauthammer argues, while Israel “is committed to saving as many lives as possible—also on both sides.” If it gets anything less than an enduring ceasefire, “Israel will have lost yet another war.” (More Israel stories.)