The world is outraged. More than 300 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israel’s “Operation Protective Edge” in Gaza. One cannot help but wonder why the Hamas leadership hasn’t attempted to conjure up a plan to minimize casualties. Are they, perhaps, too busy traveling around the world in luxury? A journalist from Arab News criticizes Hamas for not having constructed bomb shelters. This, he argues, would reduce the number of lives lost. Additionally, bomb shelters would provide Gazans with an increased sense of security. Then why are are the shelters not being built? I believe there are two answers to this questions. To begin with, Hamas wishes to see the IDF cause as many Palestinian casualties as possible. This will ensure public support for the Palestinian cause, and increased pressure on Israel. Additionally, it will keep the cash flowing steadily from sponsors (straight into the pockets of Hamas leadership, of course). 

Another reason may concern Gaza’s vast and expensive tunnels. Hamas has spent millions of dollars worth of contributions intended for building schools  on building tunnels for smuggling. A portion of the concrete could easily have been used to construct bomb shelters. Instead, Hamas elected to use up monetary aid for military action against Israel, while leaving their own people completely unprotected.