Israel has the right — and the duty — to besiege Gaza

Israelis are still burying the 1,200 victims of the Saturday attack on southern Israel by Hamas, the Islamist terrorist group that seized power in Gaza in 2007.

As the assault unfolded, terrorists raped women and dragged them through the streets.

They decapitated babies in their cribs.

They slaughtered entire families in their homes.

Hundreds of civilians remain missing or held hostage in Gaza.

The sheer evil of Hamas’ deeds exceeds what can be conveyed in words.

Anything other than an end to Hamas’ rule will leave Israel’s and the world’s citizens unacceptably exposed to savage criminal activity.