In a previous post I criticized Israel's fundamentally corrupt policy of keeping the occupied territories in a perpetual limbo, denying the residents freedom, independence, prosperity or any sense of certainty about the future.
Add to that the indiscriminate slaughter of children.
Gaza is an area little more than twelve miles to a side into which over 1.8 million people are trapped, literally, like fish in a barrel, with borders that are closed and no square inch of the territory safe from Israel's guns.
So, Benjamin Netanyahu knows that launching mortars and 100 lb. explosive rounds into Gaza is going to create unbelievable carnage and result in the death of many innocents. But he doesn't care, which makes him a war criminal.
Clearly, there are a large number of very angry men residing in Gaza who are hell-bent on seeing Israel pay. But, this fact does not justify the use of weapons what will inevitably cause collateral damage on a massive scale. Nor does it justify the inadequate review of targets that has resulted in the shelling of an outdoor market and U.N. shelter. Never mind that the average age of the occupants of Gaza is 18 years old and that the vast majority are women and children.
If Israel wants to dismantle the underground shops where the bombs and crude missiles are assembled, they will have to send troops and armor into Gaza and search, block by block, until every workshop is shut down and every tunnel destroyed.
In any event, Hamas and most Gazans are so demoralized by decades of a virtual prison camp existence that they have literally stopped caring. So, if Israel thinks they can bomb Gazans into submission they are going to have to keep bombing until everyone is dead.
Which, 21 days into the assault and with well over 1,000 Palestinians dead, seems like it might just be the plan.
2 comments:
Christian,
The reason your thinking here is flawed was pointed out yet again this morning. Less than 90 minutes into an agreed upon 3 day cease fire, Hamas militants shot and killed 2 Israeli soldiers that were NOT shooting at them. Additionally, they kidnapped a third Israeli soldier. These soldiers were not fighting anyone. They were in the process of blowing up a terror tunnel that Hamas had dug into Israel. These tunnels are used to sneak in and murder even more Israelis. Hamas does not give a shit about the people of Gaza. If they did they would not shell Israel from, nor hide in, such a densely populated area. Nor would they hide their munitions in schools and hospitals. Hamas only cares about the destruction of Israel, end of story, period. After the destruction of Israel, their next goal is a militant Muslim world. Not a Muslim Middle East, a militant Muslim world. This is exactly the same philosophy of Adolph Hitler and Nazi Germany in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. As for the “indiscriminate slaughter of children” you refer to, this would never happen if Hamas were not putting those children in front of themselves using them as a shield. By constantly, ceaselessly, endlessly attacking Israel FIRST, and then hiding behind these children, they force Israel into the “indiscriminate slaughter of children.” Israel must have the ability to protect herself. You can not possibly believe that if Israel laid down her defenses that Hamas would stop trying to murder every Jew. Before this current war started they were still shelling Israel on a daily basis, this is only getting publicity now because AFTER YEARS of unanswered bombings, the Israelis finally had enough when three teenage boys who had been kidnapped by Hamas were murdered by them. Benjamin Netanyahu is no war criminal, he is the elected leader of the most attacked country in the world that has no choice but to use military might to protect her citizens.
Bob
Bob,
Getting rid of the tunnels and shutting down the rocket-making shops will be dirty and costly business, but Israel cannot shell Gaza from outside Gaza, except in support of troops on the ground inside Gaza who are directing the fire. There are too many women and children and the population density is too high.
You yourself said that Hamas doesn't care about the Gazans, and I tend to agree with you. It seems that Hamas are agents of the Qataris and the Saudis. They use fear and intimidation to squelch political opposition in Gaza, so they are the only voice you will hear. However, they do not necessarily represent the goals and aspirations of the majority of Gazans, most of whom would be happier leading productive lives, at peace, alongside Israel
Therefore, knowing that Hamas is essentially a group of foreign agents who have hijacked Gaza, how can Israel justify the bombardment of the Gazans? Aren't the Gazans victims of Hamas, too? That is where Netanyahu has crossed the line and is now guilty of war crimes. He knows this, but doesn't care how many Palestinians might be killed in his efforts to get at Hamas.
Ironically, it seems like he just might have this in common with Hamas: they don't seem to care how many Palestinians get killed in their efforts to get at Israel.
The idea of a Palestinian State is an untenable concept because of the geographic fracture and internal friction. I believe that Gaza should become a part of Egypt and the West Bank should become part of Jordan. This should be the goal of a regional peace summit. That way, if missiles are launched from Gaza Israel can bomb Cairo in retaliation.
Nothing in my post should be construed as a rant against Israel itself or its right to defend itself.
Sincerely,
Christian
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