Israel’s military began a heavy aerial bombardment of Gaza after nightfall on Friday and announced that it is “expanding” its ground operations into the territory—but did not declare a full-scale ground invasion that has been expected for weeks.Internet and phone service in Gaza has been mostly, if not entirely, cut off amid the bombing. The International Committee of the Red Cross cannot reach its medical personnel. A Washington Post reporter said the paper cannot reach its colleagues, either.S

Some people, communicating via satellite phones, have described the attack as the “heaviest bombardment yet,” according to independent journalist Sharif Kouddous.

“People can’t call ambulances or civil defense. We are being bombed in an unprecedented manner,” said an unidentified journalist at a Gaza hospital, according to a translation by The Nation’s Palestinian correspondent, Mohammed El-Kurd. “The sky around us just lights up [with explosions], and no one knows what’s going on.”

  • hitmyspot@aussie.zoneEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Hamas using them as a shield does not make killing them right.

    Israel is not defending itself from terrorism. It is retaliation for a terrorist attack.

    They do have some intelligence as to where Hamas use as locations etc however rules of war require they take precautions to minimise civilian casualties. They give some warnings as this gives plausible deniability that they are taking precautions. The number of dead civilians versus confirmed Hamas killed tells a different story. Telling people to leave but closing the border tells a different story. Telly people to leave one area then bombing the path they were told to take tells a different story.

    Hamas is the de facto government, but Palestine is not recognized as a state so there is not really a government, as most in other countries would know it, especially western counyries. Guess who is preventing normalisation of their sovereignty? Last elections were 17 years ago. The youngest people to vote are now over 35. 50% of the population is under 18. So, the legitimacy of saying they voted for this is spurious at best. Remember Israel and netamyahu in particular stifled their competitors.

    Incessant bombing of civilians is creating more terrorists, not less. That doesn’t make it right, but to make out like Israel is defending itself while killing thousands of children is ridiculous. Israel as a state is a de facto terrorist state too at this point

    • rdri@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Hamas using them as a shield does not make killing them right.

      It makes hamas responsible for their death. Otherwise, you are suggesting leaving alone terrorists who asked you to not bomb them, and who will still proceed to bomb you.

      Israel is not defending itself from terrorism. It is retaliation for a terrorist attack.

      Hamas launched rockets regularly. And you’re saying Israel only now started to retaliate? They must be very lazy, yes? Or maybe it’s because they have been shown they had to do it, as defending-only way no longer works.

      They give some warnings as this gives plausible deniability that they are taking precautions.

      Wow, people do what they have to do and you are saying they are doing it with malicious intention.

      The number of dead civilians versus confirmed Hamas killed tells a different story.

      What versus what exactly? One side is Israel who is monitored by the whole world, and the other is a territory controlled by terrorists. Numbers coming from the latter are useless without further confirmations.

      Telling people to leave but closing the border tells a different story.

      Did Israel close the border? I know Egypt did. Can’t blame Israel if they did so.

      Telly people to leave one area then bombing the path they were told to take tells a different story.

      Proceed to demand explanation if you like. I doubt they would waste resources to do something that useless.

      Hamas is the de facto government, but Palestine is not recognized as a state so there is not really a government, as most in other countries would know it, especially western counyries. Guess who is preventing normalisation of their sovereignty?

      If they really wanted to become a proper country with proper government they would at least try. Instead they are focused on trying to do the impossible - winning the war versus Israel, using stones and sticks.

      Last elections were 17 years ago. The youngest people to vote are now over 35. 50% of the population is under 18. So, the legitimacy of saying they voted for this is spurious at best.

      Those are useless details that can’t justify anything.

      Remember Israel and netamyahu in particular stifled their competitors.

      Irrelevant. You are proposing basically that hamas is the best Palestinians can get, and I strongly disagree.

      Incessant bombing of civilians is creating more terrorists, not less. That doesn’t make it right, but to make out like Israel is defending itself while killing thousands of children is ridiculous. Israel as a state is a de facto terrorist state too at this point

      • this is not what Israel wants or tries to do.
      • hamas created situations where civillians are located near places they launch rockets from.
      • hamas also created situation where Palestinians are not protected at all from any (counter)attacks. They say this is a responsibility of others which is ridiculous.
      • hamas can stop the whole thing by surrendering.