A Greek tragedy unfolds in Israel and Gaza
“Even the most heinous acts of barbarism do not give the victims the right to resort to barbarism of their own in their quest for vengeance.”
A Greek Tragedy is unfolding in Israel and Gaza.
Act I occurred on October 7, 2023, with the barbaric attacks of Hamas on innocent Israeli civilians. Predictably, these acts produced a blind rage among Israeli political leaders and civilians.
Act II is in progress, as Israel prepares to launch a massive ground invasion of the Gaza Strip with the avowed goal of eradicating Hamas1 In a nod to the laws of war, Israel has given the civilian population of the northern half of the Gaza Strip (1.1 million people) some 24 hours to move to the southern half of the Strip. This deadline is apparently being extended on an ad hoc basis.
The Israeli military appears to be on a course on which it may destroy much of northern Gaza as its seeks to extirpate Hamas. Much destruction and loss of civilian life is likely to occur.
Many Israelis believe they have the right to do anything necessary to destroy Hamas.
That is not quite accurate. The laws of war put important constraints on what Israel can do in its efforts to destroy Hamas.
Even the most heinous acts of barbarism do not give the victims the right to resort to barbarism of their own in their quest for vengeance.
All civilized countries should support Israel, so long as it complies with the laws of war.
Act III will follow. The damage and destruction of Gaza and its civilian infrastructure and population that results may inflict such traumatic wounds on the psyche of the Palestinians and the populations of Arab countries that it may be decades, or generations, before the problems and conflicts of the region can again be approached within a framework of reason.
The Greek Tragedy plays out.
Cooler heads might have chosen a less impetuous course. Instead of a ground invasion and house-to-house fighting, Israel might have pursued a more cautious course, with highly targeted operations against Hamas leaders, persistent efforts to involve Arab countries in defusing the situation and replacing Hamas, and even getting the hostages out alive.
At this point, however, it appears that only a deus ex maquina could save the day, and avoid the consequences of the Greek Tragedy we see unfolding before our eyes.
One slightly positive development has occurred as a result of U.S. pressure on Israel for restraint. The water has been turned back on in in the southern Gaza Strip.
James Rowles is a former Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School and professor of international law at other universities.
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For a remarkable account of what appears to be the Israeli game plan for the invasion and the strategic thinking underlying it, see
1)Alfred Hackensberger, ”Warum
Israel für die Bodenoffensive das perfekte Wetter benötigt,” Die Welt, den 15 Oktober 2023.
2)Alfred Hackensberger, “Why Israel needs perfect weather for the ground offensive,” Die Welt, October 15, 2023.
According to Hackensberger, given the weather forecast, the ground invasion is unlikely to take place before Friday, October 20.