John Buttrick’s Jan. 14 My Turn on the war in Gaza listed the steps he believes the U.S must take to achieve peace in that region. The major flaw in his thinking is he presumes the U.S. and Israel are the only participants in the ongoing tragedy in Gaza. Nowhere in his piece does he discuss and condemn the violent and morally repugnant actions of Hamas and the other violent terrorist organizations operating in the Middle East. He also seems to ignore that Hamas wanted Israel to respond to the Oct. 7 massacre of Israeli citizens in the exact manner that Israel ultimately did because Hamas feels it will help its cause.

Furthermore, he also failed to note that Hamas’ own charter (Article 13) states “Initiatives, and so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences, are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement.” The fact is there will never be true peace in this region until Hamas and its like-minded counterparts recognize Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign nation. Thinking that a change in the scope of U.S. support for Israel is all that is necessary to achieve peace in Gaza is dangerously naive. That should have been clear on Oct. 7 when Hamas revealed who they are and what they want.

Matt Leahy

Concord