Israel’s war strategy must take into account the full nature of the enemy

SIR – The killing of aid workers in Gaza is, according to John Kirby, the spokesman for the US National Security Council, “emblematic of a larger problem” (report, April 3).

This “problem” surely revolves around Israel’s determination to completely eradicate Hamas – and its inability to do so.

The Israel Defense Forces are able to kill numerous terrorists, but how can they kill an idea, a belief, a way of life – however flawed these may be?

Israel’s war against Hamas has been ongoing for six months, but the rump of Hamas survives and, presumably, with the moral and day-to-day support of thousands of Gaza’s inhabitants, is entrenched in small pockets of the region. Israel’s war aims need to be redefined so that they are realistic and achievable. At the moment, they are neither.

If this does not happen, support for their cause – both in Israel and internationally – will diminish, supplies of military hardware from overseas may not be forthcoming, and the tide of battle could easily turn.

David S Ainsworth Manchester

SIR – Certainly the death of innocent aid workers in Gaza is shocking. However, Israel has apologised sincerely and has promised to investigate this gross error.

It is easy to condemn Israel, but I do not recall Hamas apologising for its terrorist attack on innocent victims six months ago, and I am sure that they have no intention of carrying out any investigation. Theirs was a deliberate attack, whereas Israel has accepted it made a mistake.

Ann Horscroft Lingfield, Surrey

SIR – I write as a retired solicitor to express my anger that so many judges in this country have had the audacity to write to the Government demanding that arms sales to Israel be stopped (report, telegraph.co.uk, April 4). Do they not realise that Israel is fighting for its survival? Do they not know that innocent hostages are still in the hands of Hamas and subject to sexual abuse and torture?

Paul G Walters Derby

SIR – As terrorists hide themselves among frightened civilian populations, the task of eliminating those responsible for starting the bloodshed involves appalling collateral loss of life.

It is difficult to see how this is to be avoided – awful though it is.

Rather than denying the only democracy in the Middle East the means to defend itself, might it not be more useful to concentrate on sanctioning the suppliers of weapons to terrorist groups across the world? If effective, at least such sanctions would act against the brutal instigators of the violence.

Bob Burgess Chester