Westfield resident Kathy O’Gara, in a letter to The New York Times published June 11, bemoaned the high civilian death toll in Israel’s recent hostage rescue. Ms. O’Gara, noting that prior hostage deals secured the release of many more hostages without the accompanying death toll, arrived at the “logical conclusion that…many more hostages could have been released by similar means.”

But a consideration of all the facts indicates that this conclusion is not at all logical. On the same day Ms. O’Gara‘s letter appeared, The Wall Street Journal published an article: “Gaza Chief’s Brutal Calculation: Civilian Bloodshed Will Help Hamas.” The article stated: “In dozens of messages – reviewed by The Wall Street Journal – that (Hamas leader) Sinwar has transmitted to cease-fire negotiators…he’s shown a cold disregard for human life.” In one message, Sinwar urged his comrades “…not to make concessions and instead push for a permanent end to the war. High civilian casualties would create worldwide pressure on Israel.”

Letters such as the one written by Ms. O’Gara confirm Sinwar’s calculation that “civilian casualties would create worldwide pressure on Israel.” Such pressure explains why further hostage deals have not been forthcoming.

If Ms. O’Gara truly cared about civilian casualties, she would have taken a stand against Hamas‘ method of drawing fire to civilians.

That being said, I am grateful to the majority of Americans who understand that Hamas’ brutal method of embedding terrorists among civilians is responsible for the unfortunate civilian carnage.

Dan Aronson Westfield