Israel and Gaza came to a ceasefire agreement Wednesday after over a week of continuous violence. The incident started when Israel issued an airstrike and killed Hamas military leader Ahmed Jabari, the BBC reported Nov. 14.
Israel went after Jabari because Palestinian militant groups were firing hundreds of rockets into the civilian areas of southern Israel.
President Barack Obama said in a statement it’s important to understand what the precipitating event was that’s causing the current crisis.
“An ever escalating number of missiles … were landing, not just in Israeli territory, but in areas that are populated,” Obama said.
“There is no country on Earth that would tolerate missiles raining down on its citizens from outside its borders, so we are fully supportive of Israel’s right to defend itself from missiles landing on people’s homes and workplaces, and potentially killing civilians. We will continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself.”
Eastern Michigan University senior Kelly Rich said she supports Obama’s stand on the issue.
“I think America should be supporting Israel, they are our closest ally,” she said. “They’re being attacked by a terrorist group and I think they have full right to defend themselves. The Israel Defense Force is targeting Hamas and taking steps to avoid civilian casualties while Hamas has no concern for civilian casualties on either side.”
The conflict between Gaza and Israel dates back to 1967 when Israel took Gaza by force from Egypt, the BBC reported. Israel had complete control of the area until 2005, when Israeli troops withdrew from the territory. Two years later in 2007, the Hamas group came into power. After this, Israel intensely secured Gaza’s borders once again.
EMU senior Alex Fuller, who is studying social studies, said,
“Quite frankly, I think that the Israelis need to respect the international law. What they’re doing is pushing the Palestinians out of territory that was given to them by the U.N. I don’t condone what Hamas or the other militant groups are doing, but in the particular situation I’m not sure I would do anything different than they are. They’re resorting to terrorism to quite literally defend their territories from being invaded.”
The ceasefire agreement went into effect Wednesday and requires both sides to stop firing into one another’s territory. Israel will be forced to lessen border patrols and allow free trade in Gaza. The agreement also designated Egypt as a mediator between the two countries.
When asked if Israel should have reacted as they did, EMU student Tyler Everts, a junior studying music therapy, said, “I definitely think they shouldn’t have. I believe in peaceful resistance and non-violent interactions because no one has the right to inflict force on anyone else. Even if you’re met with violence, non-violence will inspire supporters.”
Many cities and towns were devastated by the bombings, and over 150 people were killed. Many civilians left their homes to stay in bomb shelters. Cities on both sides are currently working to repair the damaged buildings so people can return to their homes.
