Strack-Zimmermann: Women were raped and filmed

The Hamas attack on October 7 has a "dimension that leaves you speechless", says FDP politician Strack-Zimmermann on "Hart aber fair". The defense expert gives further details of the massacre that relatives of the Hamas hostages have told her about.

It is the last Hart aber fair edition of this year. Next year, the program will start with a new concept. On Monday evening, the guests on the talk show will look back on the year that is drawing to a close, especially on the two wars that shaped it: the Middle East conflict and the war in Ukraine.

The images from Israel on October 7 certainly left no one indifferent. On that day, Hamas terrorists invaded the country from the Gaza Strip. "There are pictures that have not yet been published and that you shouldn't look at," says ZDF correspondent Katrin Eigendorf in the program. The Hamas attack had a traumatizing effect on the entire country of Israel.

FDP defense expert Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann also takes another look at the atrocities committed by Islamists in Israel. Two weeks ago, she spoke to relatives of the hostages who were held by Hamas terrorists. The politician spoke of pregnant women who had their wombs cut open and their fetuses ripped out, of women who were raped and filmed - with their own cell phones. The attack has a "dimension that leaves you speechless", says the politician. The brutality of Hamas had been completely underestimated.

"The biggest wimps in the history of war"

"For me, there's another important point that I keep thinking about," adds Spiegel journalist Markus Feldenkirchen: "Some people call these Hamas men fighters or warriors. No: they are disgusting terrorists. If they were warriors, they really would be the biggest wimps in the history of war."

Hamas terrorists have massacred defenceless people at a festival and attacked old, defenceless and unarmed people in the kibbutzim. "And what they're doing now is exactly the same: when the Israelis attack them, they hide behind children, behind sick people in hospitals, and that's the most dishonorable and egg-headed thing I've ever seen."

The fact that the Hamas attack was able to succeed at all was a classic failure of the Israeli security forces, analyzes political and military scientist Carlo Masala. "There should have been battalions in front of the fences through which Hamas broke through, but there were only surveillance systems that were switched off by Hamas because the battalions were in the West Bank, where they were supposed to protect the settlers," explains Masala. Although the security forces in Israel assumed that Hamas was up to something, they did not take the danger seriously.

"Israel is breaking international law"

With its attack on the Gaza Strip, Israel now wants to ensure that Hamas no longer poses a threat to the country. However, Israel's defensive measures are now being heavily criticized. "The longer it goes on, the more people tend to say it is no longer proportionate," says journalist Feldenkirchen, for example.

Eigendorf, who was in the Gaza Strip with the Israeli military, confirms: "It's unbelievable. In some places there are no houses left that are still habitable." Then she adds: "Israel is breaking international law. There is a lack of proportionality, despite all understanding and acceptance of the fact that Israel has to defend itself." Israel is not protecting the civilian population and is denying people the right to water and food.

Meanwhile, Israel is under massive pressure from the USA, explains Masala. They are interested in ending the war as quickly as possible.

"Ukraine needs new partnerships"

The situation is different in Ukraine, the second focal point of the war that has kept many countries busy this year. One reason for this is the lack of material deliveries, says Masala. There have been unexpected successes on the Ukrainian side this year, but fewer than expected. At the moment, there is a front and Russia is back in control of the initiative.

The expert expects the next Ukrainian military offensives in the middle or end of next year. Ukraine now needs spare parts, ammunition and artillery systems in particular. It is therefore important that new partnerships are formed. And this is where Masala sees a problem, because: "This is where Israel's war against Hamas comes into play."

Germany, the USA and other countries had campaigned in the countries of the so-called Global South to stand by their side in supporting Ukraine. "The attitude in the case of Israel has led to precisely these states gradually distancing themselves again," says Masala.

Presenter Louis Klamroth will not reveal how "Hart aber fair" will continue next year. But someone will be missing: Brigitte Büscher, who always appeared on the show for 23 years to present viewers' opinions. This year, she also went to various cities to interview local people. In the coming year, she now wants to take on new tasks, says Büscher herself - and at the end she actually brings some positivity to the show. She says goodbye with a smile and the words: "All the best, all the love, and we'll see what happens in 2024."

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Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it's crucial that Ukraine forms new partnerships to secure necessary military supplies. Some countries that initially pledged support for Ukraine have begun to distance themselves due to Israel's actions against Hamas, as noted by political and military scientist Carlo Masala.

Moreover, the Hamas organization has shown no regard for international law in their attacks on Israel, as journalist Feldenkirchen pointed out. Israel's defensive measures in Gaza have been criticized for lack of proportionality, causing unimaginable destruction and denying civilians essential resources like water and food.

Source: www.ntv.de