The October 7 Hamas attack on Israel “has a dimension that will leave you speechless,” says FDP politician Strack-Zimmerman in “Hart aber fair.” Defense expert reveals more details of massacre told to him by relatives of Hamas hostages.
This is the last tough but fair edition of the year. Next year the show will start with a new concept. On Monday evening, the talk show’s guests will look back on the year that’s coming to an end, and in particular the two wars that shaped it: the Middle East conflict and the war in Ukraine.
The pictures taken from Israel on October 7 did not leave anyone cold. On that day, Hamas terrorists invaded the country from the Gaza Strip. “There are still unreleased images that you shouldn’t see,” ZDF reporter Kathryn Eisendorf says on the show. The Hamas attack had a shocking effect on the entire State of Israel.
FDP security expert Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann takes another look at the atrocities committed by Islamists in Israel. He spoke to relatives of hostages taken by Hamas terrorists two weeks ago. A politician reports on pregnant women being mutilated and aborted, raped and filmed – on their own cell phones. The politician says the attack has a “dimension to make you gag”. The brutality of Hamas is grossly understated.
“The Biggest Wimps in the History of War”
“I have another important point, which I think about again and again,” Spiegel journalist Markus Feldenkirchen adds: “Some people call these Hamas men militants or fighters. No: they are vile terrorists. If they are fighters, they are “in fact the biggest wimps in the history of war.” There will be that.
Hamas terrorists massacred defenseless people at a festival and ambushed elderly, defenseless and unarmed people in a kibbutzim. “That’s exactly what they’re doing now: when the Israelis attack them now, they hide behind children, behind sick people in hospitals, and that’s the most honorable and most cowardly thing I’ve ever seen.”
Political and military scientist Carlo Masala analyzes the success of Hamas’ offensive as a classic failure of the Israeli Defense Forces. “There should have been battalions in front of the Hamas fences, but there were only surveillance systems disabled by Hamas, because those battalions were in the West Bank, where they were supposed to protect the settlers,” explains Masala. . Security forces in Israel assumed that Hamas was up to something, but they did not take the threat seriously.
“Israel Violates International Law”
With its attack on the Gaza Strip, Israel now wants to ensure that Hamas is no longer a threat to the country. But Israel’s security measures are now heavily criticized. “The longer it goes on, the more people tend to say it’s disproportionate,” says journalist Feldenkirchen.
Egendorf, who was in the Gaza Strip with the Israeli army, confirms: “It’s unbelievable. In some places there are still no habitable houses.” He then adds: “Israel is violating international law. Despite the understanding and acceptance that Israel must defend itself, proportionality is not maintained.” Israel does not protect civilians and denies people the right to water and food.
Masala explains that Israel is now under massive pressure from the US. They are keen to end the war as soon as possible.
“Ukraine needs a new partnership”
Things are different in Ukraine, the second hotspot of the war that has affected many countries this year. Masala says one reason for this is the lack of material supply. This year there were some unexpected successes from the Ukrainian side, but less than expected. This time there is a lead and Russia has the initiative again.
The expert expects the next Ukrainian military offensive to take place in the middle or end of next year. Ukraine now primarily needs spare parts, ammunition and artillery systems. Creating new partnerships is important. This is where Masala sees a problem, because: “This is where Israel’s war against Hamas comes in.”
Germany, the United States and other countries campaigned in the so-called Global South to take their side in supporting Ukraine. “The approach in the case of Israel is precisely what led these states to gradually withdraw themselves,” says Masala.
Moderator Louis Glamroth won’t reveal what will happen next year with “Hard But Fair.” But someone was missing: Brigitte Pusher, who has appeared on the show regularly for 23 years to present audience comments. This year he traveled to various cities to interview local people. In the coming year, he wants to do new work, says Büscher himself – in the end he really brings a positive atmosphere to the show. She says goodbye with a smile: “All the best, all the best, let’s see what happens in 2024.”
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