It is disheartening to read of college students who express their understandable outrage at the carnage in Gaza, but fail to understand why it is occurring. Hamas leaders have to have known full well that an attack such as that of Oct. 7 would give the Israelis no choice but to strike back, with resulting loss of life among Gaza residents. There is no way to separate civilians from combatants, interspersed as they are in a confined area. They knew that many of those for whom they are responsible would be killed. They knew as well, that they would not be militarily victorious in the ensuing struggle.

One is forced to the conclusion that Hamas’ intent has been to bring about the bloodbath we are witnessing, in order to turn the Arab world (Saudi Arabia) against the pending reconciliation with Israel and to gain a propaganda victory on the backs of its own citizens. Unfortunately, their effort is succeeding, given the failure of so many here and abroad to see through their murderously cynical maneuver. Will we never wake up?

Herbert Ross

Lyme