Judge Napolitano asked me a pertinent question today: Why are the persons released by Hamas referred to as hostages and the persons released by Israel as prisoners? I think the answer is simple: Israel and its supporters in the Western media control the narrative. However, if you look at the facts covering the period between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2022, a radically different picture emerges about who is the real terrorist in Israel.
I used Perplexity.ai, which is an excellent search engine, to get answers to the broader question of who is the biggest terrorist entity in Israel/Palestine. I use Bibi Netanyahu’s definition of terrorism — i.e., the use of violence against civilians for political purposes.
My first question, who is the biggest killer?
Between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2022, approximately 10,712 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces or settlers, according to data from B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights organization.
Between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2022, Palestinians killed approximately 1,106 Israelis, according to data from B’Tselem.
Got the picture? For every one Israeli killed by Palestinians, Israel killed 10 Palestinians. That ratio has increased dramatically since October 7, with Israel killing at least 46 Palestinians for every Israeli who has died.
What about hostages / prisoners? How many Israeli hostages did the Palestinians take between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2022?
Between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2022, Palestinians took at least 19 Israelis hostage, based on documented high-profile incidents such as the abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006 and others held for extended periods.
How does that compare to the number of Palestinians that Israel grabbed and put in prison? The numbers are shocking (not to Palestinians):
Between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2022, Israel imprisoned tens of thousands of Palestinians. Specific figures include:
• During the Second Intifada (2000–2005), over 28,000 Palestinians were incarcerated by April 2003 alone.
• By 2007, the average monthly number of Palestinians in administrative detention was about 830, including women and minors.
• In total, since 1967, over 800,000 Palestinians have been imprisoned by Israel at some point, according to Palestinian estimates.
Hamas is not taking hostages because they are terrorists. It is a response to Israel taking thousands of Palestinians as hostages. The vast majority of Palestinians scooped up and jailed are not subjects of a warrant nor are they accorded a fair trial. This gross injustice is one of the major factors driving the violence, which the West likes to pretend is unwarranted violence by the Palestinians.
I published an analysis of the terrorist incidents attributed to the Palestinians during the period from August 2000 to April 2024 (you can read it here if you don’t remember). Here is a synopsis of the key findings:
I have completed the initial cleanup of the data posted on the website of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, which lists all suspected Palestinian terrorist attacks during the 23-year, four-month period (i.e., 2000 to April 26, 2024). During this period, the Israeli Government identifies 672 terrorist attacks blamed on the Palestinians.
Now here are the really interesting numbers. 105 of the attacks are attributed to Hamas. 58 to Islamic Jihad and 5 to Hezbollah. In other words, only 25% of the attacks are associated with a specific Palestinian group. The remaining 75% are blamed on nameless culprits. The total number killed by Palestinian violence during this 23-year-plus period is 1,455. That is the number of victims listed at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs site. And, as I noted in my recent article (Hamas is a Third-Rate Terrorist Organization), the Israelis killed 7,065 Palestinians during the same period of time. In other words, the Israelis killed almost five times the number of Palestinians. This may explain why the Palestinians carried out “terrorist” attacks — they were seeking vengeance, retribution.
2000 — The search results do not provide specific data on the number of terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in 2000.
Perplexity.ai confirms those findings, but reflects a Western bias in
2001 — The search results do not provide specific data on the number of terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in 2001.
Note, the Israeli Foreign Ministry database shows several attacks in 2000 and 2001, which marked the start of the Second Intifada. The Second Intifada continued until 2005 and marked a surge in Palestinian attacks:
The following significant incidents were attributed to Hamas in 2002:
1. Passover Massacre (March 27, 2002): A suicide bombing at the Park Hotel in Netanya killed 30 people and injured 140. This attack was jointly carried out by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
2. Kiryat HaYovel Supermarket Bombing (March 29, 2002): Claimed by Hamas, this bombing killed 2 people and injured 28.
3. Patt Junction Bus Bombing (June 18, 2002): A suicide attack on a bus in Jerusalem killed 19 people and injured over 74.
4. Immanuel Bus Attack (July 16, 2002): Hamas claimed responsibility for this attack involving explosives and shooting, which killed 9 people and injured 20.
5. Hebrew University Bombing (July 31, 2002): A bombing at Hebrew University in Jerusalem killed 9 people and injured around 80.
6. Meron Junction Bus Bombing (August 4, 2002): This attack killed 9 people and injured 38; Hamas claimed responsibility.
7. Allenby Street Bus Bombing (September 19, 2002): A suicide bombing in Tel Aviv killed 6 people and injured around 70.
8. Geha Road Bombing (October 10, 2002): This attack killed one person and injured 12; Hamas claimed responsibility.
9. Sonol Gas Station Bombing (October 27, 2002): Three people were killed and approximately 18 injured in this attack attributed to Hamas.
10. Kiryat Menachem Bus Bombing (November 21, 2002): A bus bombing in Jerusalem killed 11 people and injured over 50; Hamas claimed responsibility.
In 2003, Hamas was responsible for several terrorist attacks, primarily involving suicide bombings. Key incidents include:
1. Haifa Bus 37 Suicide Bombing (March 5, 2003): A suicide bombing on an Egged bus in Haifa killed 17 people and injured 53. Many victims were university students. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.
2. Jerusalem Bus 6 Bombing (May 18, 2003): A suicide bombing on a bus in Jerusalem killed 7 people and injured 20. Hamas claimed responsibility.
3. Shmuel HaNavi Bus Bombing (August 19, 2003): A suicide bombing on a bus in Jerusalem killed 23 people and injured over 130. Hamas was responsible for this attack.
4. Tzrifin Bus Stop Attack (September 9, 2003): A suicide bombing at a bus stop near an Israeli military base killed 9 people and injured 30. Hamas claimed responsibility.
5. Café Hillel Bombing (September 9, 2003): A suicide bombing at Café Hillel in Jerusalem killed 7 people and injured over 50. Hamas also claimed this attack.
In 2004, Hamas was responsible for several terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings and rocket attacks, primarily targeting Israeli civilians and military personnel. Notable attacks attributed to Hamas include:
1. March 14, 2004 – Ashdod Port: A twin suicide bombing carried out jointly by Hamas and the Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades killed 10 people and injured at least 16.
2. August 31, 2004 – Beersheba: Two coordinated suicide bombings on buses killed 16 people and injured over 100.
3. June 28, 2004 – Sderot: A Qassam rocket attack killed two Israelis, marking the first fatal rocket attack by Hamas.
4. September 2004 – Sderot: Another Qassam rocket attack killed two Israeli children.
In 2005, Hamas conducted significantly fewer terrorist attacks compared to previous years, largely due to its adherence to a ceasefire and the impact of Israeli operations that weakened its leadership. However, Hamas was still linked to at least two notable incidents:
1. January 18, 2005: A suicide bombing in Gaza killed an Israeli security officer and injured eight others. Hamas claimed responsibility for this attack, which occurred before the ceasefire.
2. September 21, 2005: Individuals connected to Hamas were involved in the kidnapping and murder of an Israeli resident of Jerusalem in the West Bank.
Palestinian violence tapered off in 2006, following the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit of 2005, where Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon agreed to take definitive steps to de-escalate the hostilities. The Summit did not bring an end to hostilities. The Palestinians, principally Hamas, continued to fire rockets into Israel while Israel continued to incarcerate and kill Palestinians during the next 17 years. While the West persists in spreading the myth that Hamas is an uncontrollable terrorist organization, Hamas killed very few Israelis during this period.
Here are the Perplexity.ai results for the period 2007 -2022:
In 2007, Hamas was involved in multiple terrorist attacks, primarily through rocket fire targeting Israeli cities. Key incidents include:
1. Rocket Attacks: Hamas was responsible for approximately 22% of the rockets fired from Gaza into Israel that year. These included:
• July 30, 2007: A Grad missile fired by Hamas struck a residential neighborhood in Ashkelon, causing shock and property damage but no physical injuries.
• August 2, 2007: Seven Iranian-made Grad missiles were launched by Hamas militants from Egypt toward Eilat, with overshot missiles hitting Aqaba, Jordan, killing one person and injuring several.
In 2008, Hamas was involved in numerous terrorist attacks, primarily through rocket and mortar fire targeting Israel. Key details include:
• Rocket and Mortar Attacks: Over 3,200 rockets and mortars were fired from Gaza into Israel during the year, killing eight Israelis and one foreign national, injuring several others, and causing widespread property damage. These attacks escalated significantly toward the end of the year after Hamas declared the end of a ceasefire on December 18. In December alone, 361 rockets were launched at Israeli towns such as Sderot and Ashkelon.
• April 2008: Hamas gunmen infiltrated Israel and killed two Israeli civilians at the Nahal Oz fuel terminal.
In 2009, Hamas conducted numerous terrorist attacks, primarily through rocket and mortar fire targeting Israeli civilians and infrastructure. Key details include:
• Gaza War (Operation Cast Lead): From December 27, 2008, to January 18, 2009, during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, over 750 rockets and mortars were fired from Gaza into Israel. These attacks killed three people, injured 182 civilians, and caused shock and anxiety in hundreds more. Rockets targeted cities such as Ashdod, Beersheba, and Gedera, striking residential areas, schools, and kindergartens.
• Post-War Period: Following the war, Hamas continued sporadic rocket attacks throughout 2009 but at a reduced frequency compared to the war period.
In 2010, Hamas was responsible for several terrorist attacks, primarily involving rocket and mortar fire targeting Israeli communities near Gaza. Specific details include:
• Rocket Attacks: Hamas and other militant groups launched approximately 150 rockets and mortars into Israel during the year. These attacks caused injuries, property damage, and psychological distress but resulted in relatively few fatalities.
• March 18, 2010: A Qassam rocket fired by Hamas killed a Thai agricultural worker in the southern Israeli community of Netiv HaAsara.
• August 2010: Hamas claimed responsibility for a shooting attack near Hebron that killed four Israeli civilians.
In 2011, Hamas was responsible for several terrorist attacks, primarily involving rocket and mortar fire targeting Israeli civilians and infrastructure. Key incidents include:
• Rocket and Mortar Attacks: Hamas launched hundreds of rockets and mortars from Gaza into Israel throughout the year. These attacks caused injuries, property damage, and psychological distress but resulted in relatively few fatalities.
• August 18, 2011: While Hamas did not directly claim responsibility, it was implicated in supporting or facilitating a coordinated series of attacks near Eilat. These attacks involved gunmen ambushing vehicles, killing eight Israelis and injuring dozens.
• October 29, 2011: A Grad rocket fired by Hamas struck Ashdod, causing injuries and damage.
In 2012, Hamas was responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, primarily involving rocket and mortar fire targeting Israel. Key incidents include:
• Rocket and Mortar Attacks: Over 360 rockets and mortars were launched by April 2012, with around 300 occurring during the March 2012 Gaza–Israel clashes. These attacks caused injuries and property damage.
• January 2012: Two mortars containing white phosphorus were fired into the Eshkol Regional Council area, violating international law. No injuries or damage were reported.
• October 24, 2012: More than 65 rockets were fired into southern Israel in a single day, injuring several people, including foreign workers and a policeman.
In 2013, Hamas was responsible for several terrorist attacks, primarily involving rocket and mortar fire from Gaza targeting Israeli communities. Specific incidents include:
• Rocket and Mortar Attacks: Sporadic rocket fire occurred throughout the year, though at a lower intensity compared to prior years. These attacks caused property damage and psychological distress but relatively few casualties.
In 2014, Hamas was responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, primarily during the 2014 Gaza War (Operation Protective Edge), which lasted from July 8 to August 26. Key details include:
• Rocket and Mortar Attacks: Hamas and other militant groups launched over 4,500 rockets and mortars into Israel during the conflict. These attacks targeted major cities such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa, causing casualties, property damage, and psychological distress.
• Tunnel Infiltrations: Hamas used a network of tunnels to carry out infiltration attempts into Israeli territory. Several attacks were thwarted by Israeli forces, but they posed a significant threat to civilian and military targets.
• Casualties: The rocket fire and other attacks caused the deaths of six Israeli civilians (including one foreign worker) and injuries to dozens.
In 2015, Hamas was involved in several terrorist attacks, primarily through rocket fire and other militant activities targeting Israel. Key incidents include:
• Rocket Attacks: Sporadic rocket fire from Gaza into Israel continued throughout the year, though at a lower intensity compared to previous years.
• October 1, 2015: Hamas operatives carried out a shooting attack near Nablus, killing two Israeli civilians traveling in their car.
• November 19, 2015: A Hamas-affiliated terrorist killed two Israelis and injured one in a stabbing and shooting attack near the Gush Etzion junction.
2016 — The search results do not provide specific data on the number of terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in 2016.
In 2017, Hamas carried out several terrorist attacks, primarily involving rocket fire and other militant activities targeting Israel. Key details include:
• Rocket Attacks: Sporadic rocket fire from Gaza into Israel occurred throughout the year, though at a lower intensity compared to previous years. These attacks caused property damage and psychological distress but resulted in relatively few casualties.
• Tunnel Activities: Hamas continued to develop its network of tunnels for potential attacks or infiltration into Israeli territory.
• July 14, 2017: While not directly attributed to Hamas, the group praised a shooting attack at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem that killed two Israeli police officers.
In 2018, Hamas was responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, primarily involving rocket fire from Gaza targeting Israel. Key details include:
• Rocket and Mortar Attacks: Over 1,000 rockets and mortars were fired at Israel throughout the year, with significant escalations in May and November. These attacks caused injuries, property damage, and psychological distress.
• March 2018: Hamas organized and supported violent protests along the Gaza-Israel border during the “Great March of Return,” which included attempts to breach the border fence, throw explosives, and launch incendiary devices. These activities caused fires and damage to Israeli agricultural lands.
• November 12-13, 2018: During a major escalation, Hamas launched over 460 rockets into Israel within 24 hours, marking one of the most intense barrages in years.
In 2019, Hamas was involved in several terrorist activities, primarily through rocket attacks and violent clashes along the Gaza-Israel border. Key details include:
• Rocket and Mortar Attacks: Sporadic rocket and mortar fire from Gaza into Israel continued throughout the year. These attacks caused property damage and psychological distress but resulted in relatively few casualties.
• Violent Border Protests: Hamas supported and orchestrated weekly protests as part of the “Great March of Return,” which often involved attempts to breach the border fence, throw explosives, and launch incendiary devices, causing fires and damage to Israeli agricultural lands.
• November 2019 Escalation: During a brief conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Hamas allowed PIJ to operate from Gaza but did not directly escalate its own attacks significantly.
In 2020, Hamas carried out several terrorist attacks, primarily involving rocket fire and other militant activities targeting Israel. Key details include:
• Rocket and Mortar Attacks: Sporadic rocket fire from Gaza into Israel continued throughout the year, though at a relatively low intensity compared to previous years. These attacks caused property damage and psychological distress but resulted in few casualties.
• Incendiary Devices: Hamas operatives launched incendiary balloons and kites, causing fires and damage to agricultural lands in southern Israel.
• Tunnel Activities: Hamas continued its efforts to rebuild and expand its tunnel network for potential attacks or infiltration into Israeli territory.
In 2021, Hamas was responsible for significant terrorist activities, primarily during the May 2021 conflict. Key details include:
• Rocket Attacks: During the 11-day conflict in May, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) launched over 4,000 rockets at Israel, targeting cities such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. These attacks killed 10 Israeli civilians and injured more than 300 others.
• Border Violence: Hamas also supported violent demonstrations along the Gaza-Israel border during this period.
• Casualties: The conflict resulted in widespread destruction in Gaza due to Israeli retaliatory airstrikes, with over 260 Palestinians killed, including militants and civilians.
In 2022, Hamas was responsible for multiple terrorist attacks, primarily involving rocket fire and other militant activities targeting Israel. Key details include:
• Rocket and Mortar Attacks: Sporadic rocket fire from Gaza into Israel was reported throughout the year, though at a relatively low intensity compared to previous years.
• Violent Border Activities: Hamas continued to support and orchestrate violent demonstrations along the Gaza-Israel border, including attempts to breach the fence and launch incendiary devices that caused damage to Israeli farmland.
• Militant Infrastructure: Hamas focused on rebuilding its tunnel networks and stockpiling weapons for future conflicts.
The core of this conflict is that Israel is working feverishly to deprive the Palestinians of their own state. The Palestinians are fighting to secure a state. It is that simple. But finding a solution to something so simple, is incredibly complex. I welcome the current ceasefire because it represents a pause in the genocide. But I harbor no illusions that the violence is likely to continue until the world unites and agrees that Palestinians deserve a homeland and a state.
Reprinted with permission from Sonar21.
