For almost two years, many of the leaders of Hamas have avoided the conflict in Palestine. The suffering of their people in Israel’s brutal response to their attack on Israel didn’t seem to impact them.

That may not be surprising, given that Hamas’ leaders live in luxury in Qatar. Maybe if they had to share in the suffering they might have been open to ending the conflict sooner.

Which is why I expected Israel’s recent attack on Qatar to bring the battle home to those in charge of Hamas. I’m just surprised they didn’t do it a year ago. Rather than causing more suffering to civilians, strike at those who share the responsibility for the war.

Better late than never I guess. Though an end to the violence through a negotiated settlement would have been preferable

Was the attack legal? The Qatari government made the appropriate noises – but I doubt their hearts were in it. Having Hamas as your houseguest doesn’t seem that attractive an idea. But you don’t ask terrorists to pack up and leave – who knows what they might do to you in response.

Legally there is precedent for a country invading another to deal with a wanted terrorist that has taken residence there. Osama Bin Laden was living in Pakistan, when the American military invaded to arrest/execute him. There wasn’t much protest about that one either.

In the week since the attack nothing seems to have changed, other than a brutal Israeli invasion of Gaza City in an attempt to obliterate Hamas’ ability to wage war from there. Which means more civilian dead. That is why war is a last resort – the innocent pay the price, the leaders avoid the consequences of their actions.

Did Hamas’ leadership understand what they were unleashing when they attacked Israel on October 7, 2023? My guess is probably not.

Knowing what they know now, would they do it again? My guess is probably. The war could have been stopped almost before it started if Hamas had released its hostages and surrendered. That would still be the fastest way to end it.

That isn’t going to happen though. Both sides are too caught up in political posturing to give much thought to the human misery their policies are causing.

The two-year anniversary of the conflict is just weeks away. It doesn’t look like it will end soon. Do you have any suggestions on how to bring peace?