Self-defense is the right of every individual, group, or nation. The inveterate belligerent Hamas cannot expect Israel to refrain from retaliation when it lobs barrage after barrage of rockets at Israeli populations. Hamas and Islamic Jihad thrive on violence. And violence begets violence. Hamas is in a state of hostility even with its own kindred, the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank. It is time for Hamas to mend its ways, realize the futility of its strategy, and live in peace with others. It is time for the people in Gaza to demand that their leaders cease exploiting them and have them extend a hand of genuine peace for the betterment of all.
Decades of bloodletting by the Hamas extremists have inflicted unnecessary and unacceptable suffering on all sides. Israel, justifiably, is compelled to do what it must to defend itself and its people. In stark contrast to Hamas, Israel’s response is measured and does not intentionally target innocent civilians. Those who support and fund Hamas in its belligerence have their own vested interest and not that of the Palestinians. The Palestinian people need to realize the futility of the present hostility and demand that their leaders work for a peaceful solution.
To initiate a war of aggression, is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole.”[1] [2]
Article 39 of the United Nations Charter provides that the UN Security Council shall determine the existence of any act of aggression and “shall make recommendations, or decide what measures shall be taken in accordance with Articles 41 and 42, to maintain or restore international peace and security”.
Article 51
“Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-defence_in_international_law
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/full-text#%3A~%3Atext%3DArticle%2051%2Cmaintain%20international%20peace%20and%20security.
According to International Law as stated by the UN Charter.
Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security.
https://www.un.org/en/sections/un-charter/chapter-vii/