The Hamas flag. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – Friday saw the sixth collapsed cease-fire deal during the current Israel-Hamas conflict after Hamas, despite the agreement, continued firing rockets and kidnapped an Israeli soldier.

“There is no doubt that it was Hamas that once again violated the internationally brokered cease-fire as they continued their assaults on Israeli civilians and military,” said Robert G. Sugarman, chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman, of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. “It is clear that Hamas has no interest in the welfare of the people of Gaza. It is time for the international community to end its hypocrisy in which they equate Israel’s defense of its citizens and Hamas’ unrelenting terrorism.”

Speaking of “unrelenting terrorism,” I can’t help but ask after yet another failed cease-fire attempt: Is a so-called “cease-fire” deal with Hamas, a terrorist organization which in its charter vows the destruction of Israel, even worth anything? While the current conflict represents an escalation, is Hamas ever not at war with Israel?