Daily Update 7-26-25 - The Truth Behind Israel’s Ongoing Operations in Gaza: A Moral Response to Terrorism
The Truth Behind Israel’s Ongoing Operations in Gaza: A Moral Response to Terrorism
By Paul Marcel-Rene, M.S.M., Ph.D. Candidate in Leadership
On October 7, 2023, the world witnessed a modern-day pogrom. More than 1,200 Israelis were brutally murdered, over 3,300 were wounded, and civilians were abducted in a surprise attack by Hamas terrorists (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs [IMFA], 2023). Since that day, Israel has been engaged in a just and defensive war against Hamas, a genocidal regime embedded within Gaza's civilian population, using Palestinians as human shields in direct violation of international law (International Committee of the Red Cross [ICRC], 2023).
President Donald Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff correctly noted this week that Hamas “didn’t really want to make a deal,” and labeled their latest response as “selfish.” Senior Hamas operative Izzat al-Rashq’s attempts to counter this narrative only underscore the terrorist organization’s insincerity (Haaretz, 2025). Captured Hamas orders explicitly direct hostage-takers to execute captives should Israeli rescue attempts occur, proving again that Hamas sees human life, even Palestinian life, as disposable (United Nations, 2023).
Contrary to media misrepresentation, Israeli protests are not calls for surrender or policy reversal. Citizens are demanding that their government do more to secure the release of hostages, not less. At the Tel Aviv rally, Einav Zangauker, whose son remains in Hamas captivity, declared that “the Israeli public will not forgive the government for dragging its feet at the cost of soldiers' and hostages' lives.” Families of hostages also met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, urging an end to false cease-fires that benefit only Hamas and recalling the murder of six hostages after talks collapsed in August 2024 (Damari, 2025).
In a shift from silence to solidarity, even many of Israel’s Arab citizens now openly express support for Israel’s response to Hamas, while mourning the suffering of innocent Palestinians—victims of the very terrorists who govern them (Khoury, 2025). This reveals a moral clarity that transcends ethnicity and ideology.
The Gaza Humanitarian Situation
Reports that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) contradicted the government’s claims of Hamas diverting humanitarian aid are false. Independent observers have repeatedly confirmed that Hamas commandeers aid for its military infrastructure, often stockpiling supplies while over 950 aid trucks remain undistributed within Gaza due to UN inaction (IMFA, 2024; CAMERA, 2024). Israel, meanwhile, continues to facilitate humanitarian access. Over 250 aid trucks entered Gaza just this past week, despite the risk that aid may once again be weaponized by Hamas (COGAT, 2025).
The so-called Gaza Health Ministry, operated by Hamas, reported 57 deaths in the past 24 hours. However, these figures are unverifiable and omit crucial context, namely, that Hamas often stages deaths for propaganda or inflates numbers by including combatants and reused identities (U.S. Department of Defense, 2024). Israel continues to target terrorist operatives, not civilians. The IDF confirmed zero civilian casualties in that same 24-hour period.
Regional Updates
In Judea and Samaria (West Bank), reports of Israeli settler violence have been widely exaggerated. The IDF detained 12 suspects after Palestinian arsonists, not settlers, instigated violence in Deir Alla. The dispute stemmed from Palestinian opposition to Israeli construction nearby, hardly justification for the glorification of terrorism that continues from Palestinian Authority media (Palestinian Media Watch, 2024).
In France, President Macron’s proposal to recognize Palestinian statehood post-massacre was rightly rejected by Britain and Canada. Rewarding terrorism with statehood sends a catastrophic message. Prime Minister Netanyahu, reflecting the will of Israel’s democratic majority, has firmly opposed such appeasement. Any moral actor must reject the notion that mass murder merits diplomatic reward (Kuperwasser, 2023).
Iran’s nuclear ambitions were dealt a setback through coordinated Israeli-U.S. strikes last month. Intelligence confirms Iran’s program has been delayed by at least two years, and its efforts to develop an EMP weapon were halted (IDF Intelligence Directorate, 2025).
Missile attacks from Yemen, continued Hezbollah provocations in Lebanon, and meetings with Syrian delegations further confirm that Israel faces an axis of aggression. Nonetheless, Israel upholds regional humanitarian obligations, including aid to Druze communities in Syria (Ministry of Defense, 2025).
Conclusion
The current conflict is not about land—it is about life. Israel does not seek conquest but survival. Hamas glorifies death and martyrdom; Israel sanctifies life. The global community must understand that Israel’s battle is not merely military but moral. The war will end when the threat of terrorism ends. Until then, Israel must and will defend itself.
About the Author
Paul Marcel-Rene is a doctoral candidate in Leadership with a focus on Student Personnel Services and the integration of mental health and crisis response systems. He has decades of experience in public service, social work, and international policy analysis. He writes regularly on leadership, truth in media, and the moral responsibilities of democratic societies. Paul is also a U.S. Army veteran with a deep commitment to defending liberty, justice, and Israel’s right to exist in peace and security.
References
CAMERA. (2024). Hamas stealing humanitarian aid: Photo and satellite evidence.
https://www.camera.org
COGAT – Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. (2025). Humanitarian aid coordination and deliveries to Gaza.
https://www.cogat.mod.gov.il
Damari, E. (2025, July 25). Hostage testimony: I begged them to shoot me. Daily Mail.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk
Haaretz. (2025, July 26). Hamas official claims progress in cease-fire talks.
https://www.haaretz.com
International Committee of the Red Cross. (2023). Customary IHL: Rule 23.
https://ihl-databases.icrc.org
Israel Defense Forces Intelligence Directorate. (2025). Strategic assessment: Iranian nuclear delay.
https://idf.il
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2023). Timeline of Hamas terror: October 7 massacre.
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Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2024). Hamas and humanitarian aid exploitation.
https://mfa.gov.il
Khoury, J. (2025, July 25). Arab citizens speak: Standing with Israel. Israel Hayom.
https://www.israelhayom.com
Kuperwasser, Y. (2023). Palestinian statehood after terror: Why the West must say no. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.
https://jcpa.org
Ministry of Defense – Israel. (2025). Humanitarian efforts in Syria.
https://mod.gov.il
Palestinian Media Watch. (2024). Official Palestinian media glorifies terrorists.
https://www.palwatch.org
U.S. Department of Defense. (2024). Civilian casualty estimates in Gaza.
https://defense.gov
United Nations. (2023). Hostage-taking under international law.
https://www.un.org