They came for us. In our beds, in our homes. They murdered us, raped us, took us hostage.
So we vowed we would destroy Gaza and turn it into nothing but “cities of ruin.” October 7 had changed everything, and we had to make sure it could never happen again.
Then we struck them with awesome force, Iron Swords drawn with relentless bombing campaigns across Gaza. A massive ground invasion. Hamas had to be destroyed, and our hostages had to be brought home.
Then we cut off electricity, fuel, water, and food. We were told Hamas controlled the infrastructure, and pressure was our only leverage to secure the release of our hostages.
Then we told over a million people to flee their homes. We were told we needed to protect them from the fighting with Hamas, and we needed freedom to operate safely.
Then we hit convoys of families evacuating on roads we told them to take. We were told Hamas moves with civilians, and it was impossible to know who was transporting arms.
Then we bombed entire apartment blocks in Gaza City, and then in Khan Younis, and then in Beit Hanoun. We were told Hamas hid in residential buildings, and civilians were warned to leave.
Then we hit civilians in Jabalia, and in Nuseirat, and in Zeitoun. We were told high-value targets were nearby, and Hamas’ use of human shields forced us to make hard choices to protect Israeli lives.
Then we struck homes where entire families were sheltering. We were told the homes were next to tunnels, and we were targeting Hamas terror infrastructure.
Then we dropped bombs on tent camps in Rafah where we had told the displaced to go. We were told a Hamas commander was there, and our intelligence guided the strike to minimize casualties.
Then we said the massive total death toll was exaggerated. The numbers came from Hamas, and we were told they lie to make us look bad.
Then we bombed and raided Al-Shifa Hospital and turned it into rubble. We were told a Hamas command center was below, and they were the ones responsible for turning hospitals into battlegrounds.
Then we bombed the Al-Fakhoura school sheltering children. We were told terrorists were launching rockets nearby, and the building was being used as a shield.
Then we destroyed Gaza’s Islamic University and every other university. We were told they were training Hamas engineers and teaching terrorism to the next generation.
Then, we killed aid workers from World Central Kitchen, and hundreds more from other aid organizations. We were told it was a mistake, and in war, tragic mistakes happen.
Then we shot and buried 14 Red Crescent medics along with their vehicles. We were told ambulances have been used to smuggle terrorists, and we promised to investigate.
Then we blocked entry of all food and aid into Gaza. We were told Hamas was stealing the food and using it to retain control over the people of Gaza, and we needed a way to pressure them harder to release our hostages.
Then we dismissed the reports of potential famine. Gaza’s Health Ministry is run by Hamas, and we were told nothing they say can be trusted.
Then we rode back in on Gideon’s Chariots to finish the job. We were told victory was, finally, just around the corner.
So we flattened neighborhood after neighborhood after neighborhood, and whatever was left of the rest. Because we were told total victory meant total destruction.
And then, there was nothing left to destroy. Nothing but cities of ruin. And I believed every justification we were told, until there were none left.
