Friends + Interlocutors:

First of all, the October 7th 2023 attack was not a “cross-border assault” as the FT terms it. Gaza is an enclave of dispossessed Palestinian refugees surrounded by Israeli occupation forces. It is not another country. Under international law, those living under military occupation have a right to defend themselves.

Gaza has been correctly called the largest open-air prison in the world. The attack was a retaliatory prison-break where hostages were taken in an attempt to trade them for innumerable Palestinians on the West Bank who were languishing in jail, some without charges, for years. 

The Israeli version that, "Hamas murdered more than 1,200 people in Israel" is not trustworthy but is swallowed whole by Washington and western news media so not to offend. Israel lies and fabricates 24/7.

Hamas won the last free election in Palestine back in 2006. It was monitored by international observers and sponsored by GW Bush and Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State. It was their brainstorm. When Hamas won, Washington dropped the project like a hot potato.

Lastly, under such circumstances, why would Hamas disarm? 

Patrick

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