In her letter Jan. 17, Deanne Danforth states Israel is slaughtering “people who have no way to defend themselves.”

She neglects to say Hamas hides missiles in civilian areas and is firing rockets into Israel from civilian neighborhoods, schools and hospitals. Hamas encourages civilians, including children, to act as shields against Israeli retaliatory attacks.

The Hamas covenant calls for the obliteration of Israel. Hamas schools teach children to hate Jews and to destroy the sovereign nation of Israel.

Under international law, civilians are not to be used as shields for military activity. Terrorist organizations that hide behind civilians bear the primary responsibility for civilian casualties and loss of life.

Israel left Gaza in 2005. The people of Gaza allowed Hamas to enter the area to shower rockets upon the civilian population of Israel.

In 1948, Arab leaders said they would defeat the Jews and told their people to leave their homes. Arab nations refuse to absorb their brethren and have chosen to let them live in poverty. Arab nations started five wars against Israel and were defeated in each.

Thousands of rockets have been aimed at civilian targets in Israel. No civilized people would allow their population to be attacked many times daily without fighting back.

Peace will come when Arabs care more for their children than the death of the Jews.

Stan Tetenman, Poland