Letters to the editor

Let’s move toward a lasting peace
In a recent issue of the Chronicle, a genocide scholar disputed accusations by other scholars that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza (“Genocide scholars ignored the truth,” Sept. 10, 2025). Accusations of genocide and angry rebuttals have been discussed since the war began in 2023. I would argue that this debate over a legal definition is a distraction from the real issue: the trauma of the people on both sides of that profoundly scarred region. Some of the chilling recent history is worth reviewing:

• On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas fighters crossed into Israel and massacred 1,200 people, mostly civilians, including women, the young and the old.

• Israel’s military response has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Gazans, including many women and children, and the wounding or maiming of many more. Gaza now has the highest rate in the world, per capita, of children with amputations, according to the United Nations.

• During its Oct. 7 invasion, Hamas took 251 hostages, mostly civilians. Of these, 146 have been released or rescued, 83 have been killed, and it is estimated that 22 are alive and are still being held. From what we know, the conditions of their captivity are brutal.

• Israel’s assault has leveled an estimated 70% of Gaza, including numerous schools, hospitals and other medical facilities, universities, water treatment plants and residential dwellings. The conditions in most of Gaza have become unlivable, according to the United Nations.

• While some of the Hamas leadership has been killed, other fighters remain at large and threaten future attacks on Israel.
• Much has been written about the daily deaths of Gazans from starvation. Without proper nutrition, even routine minor illnesses in children have become deadly.

• Some journalists have reported accounts from anonymous Israeli soldiers stating that they were ordered to fire live bullets into crowds of hungry Gazans streaming toward food distribution centers. Hundreds have been killed.

While we are focused on the events since 2023, we know that the cycle of violence has been continuous since prior to the establishment of Israel 77 years ago. Does anyone truly believe that this war, unlike all the others, will bring tranquility to the region?

Rather than debating a legal definition, shouldn’t we be asking ourselves what we can do to stop the suffering and the military futility? As American Jews, is it possible for us to push aside tribal loyalty and promote the diplomatic compromises needed to move toward a lasting peace?

Robert Kraftowitz
Point Breeze

Editor’s note: Many Gazan schools, hospitals and other medical facilities, universities, water treatment plants and residential dwellings harmed during the war were used by Hamas for military purposes, according to the Israel Defense Forces.