Writer decries heinous acts on both sides

The following letter by John Sanbonmatsu of Arlington is republished with his permission. It was first published in the Oct. 13 Boston Globe as a series of letters under the headline "Which war crimes?" The photo by Mahmud Hams of AFP via Getty Images shows a fireball from an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Oct. 12.  

Our leaders in Washington have condemned the horrific atrocities committed against Israeli civilians. I share their outrage, and I join others in mourning the deaths of Israelis. Why, though, have our leaders failed to condemn the atrocities right now unfolding against civilians in Gaza, hourly perishing under the bombs of the Israel Defense Forces?

The double standard is agonizing to see. Israel has already dropped hundreds of bombs on Gaza.

At this writing about 1,500 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, including about 500 children. Meanwhile, Israel has cut off food, water, and medicine for the 2 million residents of Gaza, in a move that the United Nations has called “collective punishment” and a violation of international law. Israel’s anticipated ground offensive in Gaza may lead to the deaths of many more thousands innocent people.

It is agonizing to see Gazan mothers grieving over their dead children and doctors begging for the restoration of medicine and electricity so that they can operate on the victims of Israeli attacks.

The heinous acts of Hamas must not be used to justify the commission of heinous acts by the Israeli government. The bombing of Gaza must stop, and humanitarian corridors must be established for the people of Gaza to safely leave the war zone.

This letter was published Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.

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