To the Editor:

Your editorial is remarkable for its notion of how the real motivation of Israel’s “out-of-proportion” Gaza operation is to undermine the Hamas path to moderation.  (“Mindless in Gaza: Israel’s Risky Strategy,” July 1).

Conveniently omitted from this thesis is the outrageousness of Hamas’ ongoing involvement in the operation onto Israeli soil, killing two Israelis soldiers and kidnapping a third and its continuous participation in and encouragement of the launching of Katyusha rockets at Israeli civilian centers.  

It should not be forgotten that nearly a year ago, Israel uprooted settlements and redeployed its forces out of the Gaza Strip and turned the territory over to the Palestinian Authority.  What it has gotten in return is a growing terrorist infrastructure and the daily launching of rockets at Israeli population centers from this very area.  Based on this deadly reality, Israel had no choice but to act to defend its citizens and save its captured soldier.