The October 7th attacks were planned well in advance, and the division within Israeli society may have been perceived by Hamas as an opportunity to strike.

The Israeli government must recognize that the occupation and the resulting humanitarian crisis in Gaza are fundamentally unjust and must be addressed for any peace to be achieved.

On October 7th, Hamas launched a brigade-sized attack on Israel from Gaza, overwhelming security and attacking soft targets.

The attack on October 7th was a catastrophic intelligence and military failure for Israel, stemming from a significant misperception of Hamas's intentions.

Hamas chose to use their time in power to build military infrastructure and radicalize the population, culminating in their attack on Israel on October 7th.

The cheering for Hamas after the October 7th attack is sickening, but it's important to understand the context of the suffering and oppression that led to such reactions.

The marked radicalization of the Gazan population has been observed by soldiers involved in multiple conflicts since 2005, indicating a shift towards extremism.

The opportunity for Gaza to become a thriving statelet was squandered by Hamas, which, like the PLO before them, has prioritized militarization over development, and their leadership prioritizes the destruction of Israel over the creation of a Palestinian state, which harms the Palestinians in Gaza.

Hamas has militarized Gaza, embedding weaponry in civilian areas, which complicates military operations and leads to tragic consequences for civilians.