but then by that argument Hamas ought not to have attacked...

but then by that argument Hamas ought not to have attacked citizens/civilians but rather the government itself or the IDF.

why can Hamas attack civilians and Israel not.

it seems to me they in this debate Hamas and Palestinians are given excuses and Israel is not

surely the issue is it is an overreach of retaliation and no like for like. Not eye for eye. It is disproportionate.