The self-immolation of Aaron Bushnell was a tragedy, because that misguided individual never received the professional help he clearly needed. In his letter William Keating, “Death of serviceman Aaron Bushnell,” compounds the tragedy by using it to promote a ceasefire in Gaza, likely viewing one, like many Americans, as a step towards peace. Hamas views ceasefires differently.

During the ceasefire Hamas broke Oct. 7, Israel, sharing those American values, did its best to help the people in Gaza, under the mistaken impression Gazans would realize they would benefit more from peace than from continuing their genocidal struggle against Israelis and Jews around the world. Hamas used that ceasefire to expand its weapons arsenal, including tens of thousands of rockets and construct an extensive network of terror tunnels, strategically placed in civilian areas, particularly beneath hospitals and UNRWA facilities. The consequence was the Oct. 7 massacre and the current death and destruction in Gaza. The massacre taught Israelis a bitter lesson: Hamas cannot be enticed to join the civilized world. It must be eliminated. Pushing for a ceasefire may feel virtuous, but another premature ceasefire will bring more massacres and more death, destruction and misery in Gaza.

Alan Stein

Natick, Mass.

Editor’s note: The writer, formerly a longtime resident of Connecticut, is President Emeritus of PRIMER-Connecticut (Promoting Responsibility in Middle East Reporting)