Why Hamas Must Be Defeated Before Israel Ends the War

By Matthew Narh Tetteh

Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas, a terrorist organization entrenched in Gaza, is a struggle not only for national security but for the very principles of freedom, democracy, and human dignity. For Israel to end the war without decisively defeating Hamas would embolden terrorism, undermine regional stability, and perpetuate a cycle of violence that has already claimed too many lives on both sides. Here’s why Hamas must be dismantled before any ceasefire can be considered.

First, Hamas’s stated mission is the destruction of Israel. Its 1988 charter explicitly calls for the annihilation of the Jewish state, rejecting any form of coexistence or negotiation. This isn’t rhetoric; it’s a guiding ideology. Since seizing control of Gaza in 2007, Hamas has launched thousands of rockets targeting Israeli civilians, built an extensive network of terror tunnels, and orchestrated attacks like the October 7, 2023, massacre, where over 1,200 Israelis were killed, and more than 250 were taken hostage. Allowing an organization with such genocidal intent to persist ensures future attacks, as Hamas has repeatedly violated ceasefires to rearm and regroup.

Second, Hamas’s rule in Gaza is a humanitarian disaster for Palestinians. The group diverts international aid meant for Gaza’s residents to fund its military infrastructure, including rockets and tunnels. Schools and hospitals are used as shields for weapons caches, turning civilians into human shields. Gaza’s economy and infrastructure crumble under Hamas’s mismanagement, with funds prioritizing terror over development. Defeating Hamas is not just about protecting Israel; it’s about freeing Palestinians from a regime that exploits their suffering to perpetuate its jihadist agenda.

Third, the broader regional implications of allowing Hamas to survive are dire. Hamas is backed by Iran, which uses the group as a proxy to destabilize the Middle East. A weakened Hamas would disrupt Iran’s network of terror, signaling to other proxies like Hezbollah that their campaigns against Israel will not succeed. Conversely, a Hamas left intact would embolden Iran and its allies, threatening not only Israel but also moderate Arab states pursuing peace through frameworks like the Abraham Accords.

Critics argue that Israel’s military operations cause excessive civilian harm, and a ceasefire would save lives. While the loss of innocent lives is tragic, Hamas’s deliberate embedding within civilian areas makes collateral damage unavoidable. Israel takes measures to minimize civilian casualties, including warnings and precision strikes, but Hamas’s tactics ensure high civilian tolls, which it then exploits for propaganda. A premature ceasefire would allow Hamas to claim victory, regroup, and resume attacks, prolonging the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians

Defeating Hamas doesn’t mean eradicating every member but dismantling its ability to govern, attack, and terrorize. This requires sustained military pressure to degrade its infrastructure and leadership. Only then can a path to peace emerge—one where Gaza can rebuild under leadership that prioritizes its people’s welfare over ideological warfare. Israel’s fight is not against Palestinians but against a terrorist group that holds both peoples hostage. Ending the war before Hamas is defeated would only guarantee more wars to come.

Israel must stay the course, not for vengeance but for survival and stability. The defeat of Hamas is a prerequisite for any hope of a future where both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace.