The entire situation between Israel and Palestine is horrendous. Hamas and the IDF are both terrorists organisations, there is no disputing that. Palestine is experiencing a genocide, there is no disputing that. Hamas wants Israel and all Jews worldwide to experience a genocide, there is no disputing that.
From a non-Zionist Jewish person with no ties to Israel, I am struggling to see how Israel should have responded to the October 7 massacre. I don't see how this war could have been avoided. In order to defend Israel and all Jewish people against genocide, Hamas needed to be taken down. But with Hamas hiding amongst civilians, Israel could not take down Hamas without civilian casualties. Hamas will not stop using human shields and continues to attack Israel with the promise of further massacres like that of October 7.
I see constant calls for ceasefire and calling on Israel specifically to stop. For the sake of innocent Palestinians, I want this. But how can Israel do this without endangering their own innocent population?
I would like to hear what posters believe should have been done, and what could be done now to end the war and have peace.