Fierce and unrelenting response

It is the fourth day since Hamas, the terrorist group based in Gaza, attacked the country of Israel. According to the latest reports, almost all the areas occupied by the terrorists in the first days of the fighting have been retaken. And little by little, the horrible things that the terrorists did to Israeli civilians are coming to light.

At the Supernova musical festival in Re'im, near the border of Israel and Gaza, more than 3,000 Israelis were enjoying the festival when Hamas terrorists entered Israeli territory. Some even used paragliders to get in and when they landed, they just shot at everyone. The place was in chaos as the terrorists fired indiscriminately into the crowds. Many were shot in the back. Soldiers arriving at the venue counted 260 dead. Some are reported missing and suspected of being taken hostage by fleeing Hamas militants.

In the Kfar Aza kibbutz, the soldiers saw a massacre after retaking the area. Dead people --women, children, old people, and even babies-- were brutally killed, and others even beheaded. Other communities were also attacked by Hamas. Hamas is now suspected of holding 150 hostages.

Israel's response has been fierce and unrelenting. Their air force targeted buildings in Gaza. If a building is suspected of holding militants, it is immediately reduced to rubble. The Israeli Air Force was first to retaliate but the Army may be preparing for ground offensive into Gaza. The terrorists are threatening to kill the hostages if Israel invades Gaza. Some are calling for a ceasefire, but Israel does not seem interested in one.

The number of killed on both sides is not yet known, but it is certainly more than a thousand, mostly civilians. Two Filipino OFWs were confirmed killed by Hamas. A third is still being confirmed. Many are already asking for repatriation as the deadly conflict continues with no end in sight.

The world is divided on this conflict. We can see most of the Arab world supporting Hamas. No surprises there. While the US and most of its allies have thrown their support for Israel. The US has even sent a carrier group into the Mediterranean Sea to guard against the conflict spreading out from Israel’s borders. But my question is who started it? Who invaded another country? And who did Hamas kill? Israel has the right to defend their country and their people. Just like Ukraine. The debate over Israel's supposedly severe response is sure to be heated. But understanding a region where people have hated each other for centuries is difficult. If militants attacked soldiers, I would get that. But when civilians are mercilessly gunned down and women, children, the elderly, and babies are massacred, that’s a different matter. Terrorism perpetrated by any group or country must be condemned. Hamas militants have killed two of our innocent countrymen. Hamas should now become an enemy of the Filipino people.