Equal condemnation

Regarding “With humanitarian aid blocked at Egyptian border, Gaza draws closer to total collapse,” (Oct. 15): I, like most Americans, was horrified to see the innocent killing of Israeli men, women and children by Hamas terrorists last week. These despicable acts of violence should be condemned by all individuals who value the precious gift of life. In the past few days, Israel, in response to Hamas violence, has bombed entire neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip and has cut off all water, electricity and fuel to the area. Those moved by the horrible acts of Hamas should feel the same way for the thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians being killed by Israel in the name of avenging itself. Shouldn’t we, as human beings, condemn the atrocious acts taken by Israel to punish Palestinians by killing innocent civilians, including children, and by depriving them of access to water, food and fuel in their zeal to destroy Hamas?

Israel definitely has the right to defend itself against terrorism. But Israel is not simply defending itself. It is committing crimes against humanity. This is not a war against Hamas terrorists, but a war against the Palestinian people. It should be condemned by all those who oppose violence in any form. The war against terrorists should continue, but not at the expense of the Palestinian people. The lives of Palestinian people are as precious as those of Israelis and all of us should condemn the violence that is being perpetrated by both the Hamas terrorists and the Israeli government.

Guadalupe San Miguel Jr., Houston