this post was submitted on 08 Oct 2023
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Israel formally declared war on Hamas on Sunday, setting the stage for a major military operation in Gaza as fighting rages on Israeli soil. The declaration comes after Hamas, an Islamist militant group, launched a surprise assault this weekend that has so far killed over 600 Israelis.

Saturday was the deadliest day in decades for Israel and came after months of surging violence between Palestinians and Israelis, with the long-running conflict now heading into uncharted and dangerous new territory. Questions remain over how the Israeli military and intelligence apparatus appeared to be caught off guard in one of the country’s worst security failures.

Over 400 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza as Israel responds with airstrikes in the densely-inhabited enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation, warning his country would take “mighty vengeance” and was readying for “a long and difficult war.”

He urged Palestinians living in Gaza to “leave now.”

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[–] [email protected] 37 points 2 years ago (3 children)

I despise the government of Israel, and everyone who supports it, but killing civilians is not acceptable. I don't care about dead military personnel, soldiers are a legitimate target, but civilians? Th fuck, Hamas, THE FUCK.

[–] [email protected] 31 points 2 years ago (1 children)

This is what Hamas is, what they believe, what they do. They're religious extremists who want genocide, and the only thing that's stopping them is their physical inability to make it happen.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Tbf it is also what israel is doing in retaliation. Both sides are absolutely terrible

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 years ago (3 children)

They're going to eliminate the threat. Which is going to mean hundreds or thousands of deaths. But Hamas knew that. They hide behind civilians to try to make Israel kill them, so they can get more recruits. It's an intentional strategy. I'm not really interested in people both sidesing this. It's a dishonest tactic intended to excuse the actions of monsters.

I have many criticisms of Israel, but they do not wish a genocide. Hamas does. There is no both sides. Hamas must be eradicated, and if the Palestinians won't do it, Israel will, and the Palestinians in Gaza will have no one to blame but themselves for all the pain that process will involve.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

In the same breath you're expecting Israel to cause thousands of civilian deaths you talk about how it's wrong to excuse the actions of monsters. At best we can hope the "kills thousands of civilians" is bundled up in your tidy "I have criticisms".

[–] [email protected] -5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Hamas is ultimately causing those deaths by forcing the war and then hiding among civilians. It's unfortunate that Israel doesn't have magic powers and cannot eliminate these monsters without civilian casualties, but the only way for the Palestinians in Gaza to be free from threats caused by Hamas is to kick Hamas out.

Shit sucks, I get it, but life is a bitch and if you support terrorists you can't be surprised if the people they attack don't just bend over and take it up the ass.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Shit sucks, I get it, but life is a bitch and if you support terrorists you can’t be surprised if the people they attack don’t just bend over and take it up the ass.

The exact same words could be applied to Israel.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Nah. They don't support genocidal terrorists. If Israel wanted a genocide against Palestinians, it would happen.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

They're engaged in terror and are actively engaged in ethnic cleansing. That it's a slow grind rather than a fast act that would shock the world doesn't change what it is.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Israel's doing a terrible job of ethnic cleansing, then. Lmfao

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Check population numbers of Palestinians and Israeli Arabs

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Thanks for proving you have no idea what genocide actually means.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

An attempt to eliminate a racial or cultural group of people, generally via either forced deportation or killing.

Since neither Israeli Arabs or Palestinians are seeing population declines, there's no attempt at genocide going on.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I didn’t mean the google definition. I mean the definition used within political science (which I have a degree in) that is used to distinguish war from genocide. I was hoping you’d assume as much but disappointed again. There has been a decline in fertility rates in Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank, and Palestine. Furthermore there has been a decline in education of the same groups as well as a large difference in COVID response when compared to Israelis. These are just a few examples of what educated people talk about when they speak about the beginnings of genocide of the Palestinian people.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

"Not the actual definition, MY definition!"

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

No I literally explained. The definition and criteria through political science. Not the laymen’s definition. Laymen.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

So not the actual definition, you mean one you made up

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Nope. I explained in my comment. The one used in political science, not the laymen’s definition. However by all means continue to be wrong, it doesn’t matter to me if you can’t wrap your head around what’s going on.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Uh huh okay

And what is this definition of genocide which you feel Israel meets

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

You aren’t very clever dawny, my comment gives three examples. Limiting education, healthcare, and therefore fertility. All are part of the larger criteria for a violent conflict being more than just a war, but a genocide. Change your name to Laymendawny.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

......k

Israel doesn't occupy Gaza. If their healthcare and education is limited, it's by their own government. Which is Hamas.

And, also, even if what you said WAS true, reducing education tends to INCREASE fertility, Mister "I have a political science degree"

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

You are just making shit up. Education decreasing does not increase fertility. Nor is hamas the Palestinian government. Why do people insist on talking out their asses about things just to look to be knowledgeable on a subject.

Although you are right. This is something I have a degree in so yes I will correct people spreading misinformation. I’m not some guy with an opinion. I’d love to talk to you about something you have a degree in. It’s clearly not this.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

You don't have a degree in political science if you don't know basic shit like the fact that Hamas is the Gazan government.

At best, you did poli sci 101.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

we weren’t talking about the Gazan government were we? We were talking about the Palestinian government. Two completely different things. Work on your reading comprehension. I think this is more than just laymendawny…dummydawny has a ring to it though no? It just fits.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Why would we talk about a government that doesn't control Gaza lmfao

Just admit you don't know what you're talking about

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

What kind of people live in Gaza? Palestinians. You can talk about whatever you want. I’m talking about the government representing the people who have been forced to live in Gaza. It’s really not that hard to follow what I’m saying. Is English your first language?

I feel bad for people that know you in real life. Lemm.ee’s most insufferable smoothbrain.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago

The government which represents Gaza is Hamas. Fatah doesn't control Gaza.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

it doesn’t seem like you know what criteria makes something a genocide. Either that or you are just bias.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

but they do not wish a genocide

Lmao

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 years ago (1 children)

In a country with mandatory military service, I disagree that soldiers are a legitimate target as a blanket statement. As the rich and powerful wage wars, it's the poor and those with limited options who die.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago (2 children)

In the same vein, would that not make all Israeli citizens (except those under 18) semi legitmate targets since they're trained military personal and potential combatants?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago

No, I think target identification and official uniforms are key to any state military.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

That's what I'm talking about. They don't get a choice. They are required to train. I think that's disingenuous to say they are guilty by what is simply existing there.

I'd say the same if true for the other side about mandatory military service.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

Shouldn't we put the onus of responsibility on Israeli's leadership and all that support this kind of ruling which blurs the lines between civilian and combatant?

It doesn't help that Israel uses its military to protect and bolster settlers in plain clothes as they commit terrorism against the indigenous populations. In a sense, Israel is using its noncombatant civilian population as a "human shield" as sorts because they know that Palestinian resistance groups lack the luxury to sift through potential targets because time and technology is limited, and the risks are sky high. Perhaps, this was done by design to force everybody to have a stake in the conflict, whether they wanted to or not.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

With the acknowledgement that the current attacks are mostly along the Gaza border, where do the West Bank settlers fall in that dichotomy? Because they're not just passive citizens of an oppressive nation, they're very much a participant in the oppression. And on the other side, military service in Israel is compulsory. There are soldiers who didn't want to be soldiers and think occupying the West Bank is wrong that are in that set of legitimate targets. Maybe it just sucks to be them and they should have tried harder to pursue a non-military service option, but it's not an easy sort where uniform = agent of oppression and civilian = neutral third party.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

The military is the main tool of oppression and as such is a valid target. The individual soldier might not be the issue but the military in its entirety. Of which said soldier is a part of. The individual soldier simply doesn't matter. And that has been the case in every war that was ever fought. The individual does not matter.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 2 years ago

Seems like the Israeli military is a good shield against people fighting "oppression" by slaughtering random innocents at a music festival and stating their goal as eradicating all Jews from the "river to the sea."

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

Settlers moving into occupied territories blur the line. They are neither fully civilian, nor clearly military. Something in between. They fulfill a strategic role, following and protected by armed forces. They also fulfill a strategic role for the negotiation table. And I guess they all know they run a greater risk, if alone for being closer to the frontlines.