Genocide Watch’s Blind Spot: Ignoring Hamas’ Role in Gaza’s Destruction
Genocide Watch is an organization I have long respected for its commitment to exposing and preventing mass atrocities. That’s why I was surprised to read its recent op-ed, Trump’s Feral Fantasies (also embedded here), which veered away from its usual rigorous analysis and instead offered a one-sided, politically charged critique of U.S. policy while glossing over the decades-long reality of Hamas’ rule in Gaza
The piece focuses almost entirely on President Trump’s comments about Gaza, accusing him of promoting “imperialism” and “genocide.” Yet, it completely ignores how Hamas and other terror networks turned Gaza into a launchpad for destruction—not just against Israel but also against Palestinians who dare to dissent. If the Gaza Strip were a sovereign nation, any reasonable U.S. national security review would label it a state sponsor of terrorism.
Genocide Watch rightfully raises concerns about civilian casualties, but it fails to acknowledge a key fact: Hamas has ruled Gaza for decades as an armed terrorist entity backed by Iran, Hezbollah, and other extremist groups. Since the early 2000s, Hamas has, and this is a partial list that any sober assessment would qualify for several violations of criminal and humanitarian law:
Built an underground terror network beneath schools, hospitals, and refugee camps.
Launched tens of thousands of rockets at Israeli civilians.
Diverted billions in humanitarian aid to weapons stockpiles and tunnels instead of civilian infrastructure.
Persecuted its own people, violently repressing dissent from Palestinians who oppose its rule.
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