Don’t just take one side, but make an effort to see the complexity of the situation, Israeli author Yuval Noah Harari underlined in an exclusive interview with NDTV, adding that Hamas does not care at all about human suffering, whether Israelis or are Palestinians. as an Israeli ground offensive looms in Gaza.
Israel declared war on the Islamist group after waves of its fighters broke through the heavily fortified border on October 7, shooting, stabbing and burning more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians. The country has compared the attack to 9/11.
“This competition of suffering does no one any good except Hamas. Hamas simply doesn’t care at all about human suffering, whether Israelis or Palestinians. They don’t care about this world; they are willing to set this world on fire.” They believe that by doing that they will get eternal bliss in another world,” the best-selling author told NDTV.
“This kind of religious fanaticism that we see with ISIS and now with Hamas is terrible for humanity,” he emphasized.
Israel has responded with brutal bombings, killing some 2,750 people, the majority of them ordinary Palestinians, in the long-blocked and impoverished Gaza Strip.
“There can be no winner in this battle of violence. With all those horrible images circulating online, I would advise you not to watch such horror. By watching you do what the terrorist wants. You’re just feeding your I’m afraid of terrible hatred and fear. So instead, do something practical: by donating, by participating in some peace initiatives,” Mr Harari said.
The Israeli army on Monday increased the number to 199 people confirmed kidnapped by Hamas, adding that it would refrain from attacking two roads in the Gaza Strip that have been marked for residents to move south and to avoid a possible ground offensive.
Speaking about de-escalating tensions and India’s role in it, the best-selling author of Sapiens said: “India is one of the major world powers – it is a democracy; it is committed to democratic ideals, but it has a good relationship with these countries and Iran. The country can therefore use this to de-escalate the conflict.”
“Anyone who has any option must restore order. The first step is to release all hostages. This is important not only in itself, but because this will give hope and perhaps be the first step towards peace,” he added.
Iran, accused of supporting Hamas, warned on Sunday that any Israeli ground offensive in the Gaza Strip could widen the scope of the conflict elsewhere in the Middle East. Western countries that support Israel have warned of a regional spillover of the conflict.
“It is difficult but not impossible to wage war against Hamas while protecting the rights of citizens. Hamas has not only taken Israelis hostage, but also many Palestinians. It prevents citizens from leaving so they can use them,” he said.
About 9,700 people have also been injured as Israel continued its devastating air campaign against targets in the Palestinian coastal enclave, the Hamas-controlled ministry added.
