Ami Dar Reiterates "Revenge is Not a Strategy" as Israel-Hamas Conflict Enters 21st Month

JERUSALEM, July 11, 2025 – As the conflict between Israel and Hamas marks its 21st month since the October 7, 2023 attacks, Israeli peace activist Ami Dar has once again emphasized that "revenge is not a strategy." His statement, shared via social media, underscores a consistent call for a non-violent, negotiated resolution to the protracted hostilities that have resulted in immense human suffering and a deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Ami Dar Reiterates "Revenge is Not a Strategy" as Israel-Hamas Conflict Enters 21st Month

Dar, the executive director of Idealist.org and a prominent voice for peace, first made the "revenge is not a strategy" assertion shortly after the initial October 7 attacks. His recent tweet, stating, "21 months of unrelenting horror. I said it then, and I say it now: revenge is not a strategy," reflects ongoing frustration with the lack of a lasting political solution. He has consistently advocated for an "all for all" exchange of hostages and prisoners, believing that "life comes first" and that a deal is inevitable.

The conflict, which began with Hamas's surprise attack on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking over 240 hostages, has led to a devastating Israeli military response in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, the death toll in the territory has surpassed 56,000 by June 2025, with a significant majority being women and children. The United Nations has reported widespread displacement, with nearly all of Gaza's 2.4 million residents displaced, and a severe humanitarian crisis marked by famine-like conditions and a collapsing healthcare system.

Despite numerous international mediation efforts, including those led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, attempts at a sustained ceasefire have repeatedly faltered. A brief ceasefire in November 2023 saw some hostages and prisoners exchanged, but hostilities resumed. Subsequent proposals, including a U.S.-backed plan in early 2025, have struggled to gain full acceptance from both sides, often due to disagreements over the terms of a permanent cessation of fighting and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Ami Dar, along with other peace advocates, has stressed the importance of both Israeli and Palestinian societies addressing their internal extremist elements and fostering mutual recognition. He maintains that true security and dignity for both peoples can only be achieved through a political settlement that moves beyond cycles of violence and retaliation. The continued "horror" described by Dar highlights the urgent need for a shift in approach to end the devastating impact on civilian populations.