Why are there Palestinians in Gaza, which is to say, why are there Palestinians still in Gaza? Why were they not removed, in the weeks and months following the Oct. 7 attack, to camps in the Sinai, where their food, shelter, and medical needs could have been taken care of easily and safely? Presumably Egypt was opposed, though we have heard very little about Egypt. Was the request made of Egypt by the Biden administration? Was diplomatic pressure brought to bear against Egypt? Uncertain. One thing we do know is that Egypt was never called out as one of the parties responsible for civilian casualties in Gaza, neither by the Biden nor the Trump administrations.

Now to Israel: Why did not Israel, upon seeing this international determination to confine Palestinians to a war zone — why did not Israel remove them to camps in its own Negev desert? With the civilian population out of harm’s way, Israel could have applied itself more expeditiously to the destruction of Hamas and its 300 miles of tunnels. With luck, it might have rescued more of the hostages. Perhaps I am missing something, but the deaths of thousands of Palestinians seem to have been unnecessary. Meanwhile, the war against Hamas continues.

Patrick Coby

Hatfield