Israel, Hamas, Gaza and West Bank Palestinian civilians
Trying my best to keep to the true facts, whether Pro or Anti-Israel or Pro or Anti-Hamas or Pro or Anti-Palestine
On October 7th 2023, Hamas broke into Israeli and carried out a series of violent attacks and hostage taking. This included brutal murder, torture and alleged rape (I have seen video footage and video still that seems to support these claims, at least of one Israeli woman.) It seems to be that Hamas were hoping these extreme acts would trigger Israel to overreact - as they always do - and force other Arab nations to join their fight against Israel. Some say that Hamasโ attacks were allowable because they were an occupied country. This is not true. Israel did and do not occupy Gaza. However, Gaza is effectively a semi-civilised prison camp. Some say Hamas had a right of resistance, because Israel had been and were oppressing them. Whilst that is true, attacking and killing civilians of any nationality or religion is not only illegal, but also morally plainly very wrong. Taking civilians hostage - along with soldiers - is also against international and human rights law. Those who defend all of the actions of Hamas are wrong to do so. Those who explain that Hamas Gazan Palestinians were so angry and frustrated by Israelโs oppression and effective imprisonment, are making excuses for exreme violence and terrorism of civilians. That cannot be right. Not in any circumstances. A right of resistance by Hamas does not justify their terrorism and hostage-taking of civilians.
In the same way, Israelโs right to defend itself - its citizens and soldiers - does not begin to justify the bombing of hundreds of thousands of Gazan civilians. They are those who say that Hamas taking hostages was a powerful way of drawing the Worldโs attention to the high number of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, two thirds of which have not even been charged with any crime. It has indeed clearly worked. However, that still does not negate the fact that around 200 civilians in Israel - not including 100 or so Israeli soldiers - were caused severe trauma, alarm and distress by being taken hostage. In other words, there are violations of international and humanitarian law on both sides of the conflict. However, Israelโs daily carpet bombing of largely civilian targets in Gaza City and beyond is totally indefensible and a far greater war crime and breach of human rights, than the sum of what Hamas did in Israel.
This is in no way excusing the violence and terrorism of Hamas, but Israel have lost the Worldโs sympathy being typically overreacting to massively disproportionately. Indeed, they have even admitted they are trying to wipe out as many Gazan Palestinians off the map as possible, all in the pretence of trying to wipe out every soldier and member of Hamas.
To be continuedโฆ
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_war_crimes#2023_Israel%E2%80%93Hamas_war
First, why did Hamas make war on Israel?
In their original charter, they say they want to wipe the Earth of all Jews.
The more recent one claims they aren't making war on all Jews, just the ones who are "military targets."
The numerous people slaughtered on that day make that statement nonsense.
The mentality of the region is evident: strong people live, and weak ones are there to be taken advantage of.
If Israel showed weakness, they'd be overrun and every last man, woman, and child slaughtered.
Israel left Gaza in 2005, and practically within a few months, Hamas was voted in by the local population.
Their first act was to slaughter their political rivals (no weakness allowed).
Israel is not oppressing the people; they are protecting their own people
If Hamas had control of the air and ports, they'd have brought in WMDs; only a fool could think differently.
There is no evidence that Israel is bombing civilians.
The tunnels Hamas built with the money supposed to be used for the population are deeply interconnected all over Gaza.
The citizens know this already.
When Israel plans a bombing, they drop leaflets and make phone calls to alert the civilians.
It's Hamas who make them stay.
They do love their human shields.
If Hamas wanted to, they could build their infrastructure out of civilian areas.
They care nothing for their fellow Muslims.
Evidence of carpet bombing, citation needed.
Is this an area where Israel made it plain for citizens not to be?
In that case, tough shit, the rules of war say it's perfectly legal to do so.
I'm not aware of any international humanitarian laws broken by Israel. Can you cite them, please?
Israel brings food and water into Gaza every single day.
Israel has the means to turn Gaza into a carpark on 8/10.
They chose not to.