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How Should Israel Apply the Law of Armed Conflict During the Siege of Gaza?

Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:27 pm
Posted by Shakey
Member since Sep 2023
107 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:27 pm
The the law of armed conflict was created by Western nations after 2 world wars entirely to protect civilians who happen to find themselves in a combat zone, not to protect enemy combatants.

Under the internationally-recognized law of war, countries are required to 1) refrain from targeting civilians directly, and 2) ensuring that any civilians deaths that do occur from attacking valid military targets is proportional to the military advantage gained from the attack.

Israel has announced they have completely shut off electric and water from Gaza. Under the law of war, this is technically allowable because the power and water arguably makes an effective contribution to Hamas' military activity; they are headquartered in Gaza and need electric and water to plan military operations.

But this will also directly affect an estimated 1.5 million civilians who are stuck in Gaza, and must be proportional to the military advantage gained under the law.

Israel has obviously decided the harm to civilians in Gaza is proportional.

My question to the board: is it? What compromise can Israel take to allow relief to civilians while also ensuring Hamas is destroyed?

Many believe Israel has the obligation to immediately establish a human rights corridor to allow the immediate evacuation of women and children. This would, however, require Israel to devote resources away from the fighting and focus on the corridor, at least in the immediate future.

Posted by 4Ghost
Member since Sep 2016
8520 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:28 pm to
Kill them all, God will sort them out
Posted by TigerAttorney
Member since Nov 2017
3824 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:30 pm to
They should let their Army and Air Force loose and don’t hold back. Civilians will die. frick it

They didn’t cause this.
Posted by Rtowntiger
Member since Dec 2012
2017 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:32 pm to
You can't. Hamas knows that and will use their civilians as human shields. There will be collateral damage. Israel isn't playing by rules that only they follow this time.
Posted by TrueTiger
Chicken's most valuable
Member since Sep 2004
68139 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:35 pm to
quote:

Hamas knows that and will use their civilians as human shields.


Correct.

Hamas will not follow international rules and if Israel does that would leave them fighting an asymmetrical war to their disadvantage.

So they will have to play by Hamas rules, which means no rules.
Posted by Shakey
Member since Sep 2023
107 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:41 pm to
quote:

So they will have to play by Hamas rules, which means no rules.
But should Israel get in the gutter with Hamas?

Isn't recognizing humanitarian principles what makes us and our allies different from terrorists like Hamas?
Posted by FightinTigersDammit
Louisiana North
Member since Mar 2006
34795 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:44 pm to
You can shower and clean off after you get down in the mud and do what you have to do.
Posted by Prole Drift
Snook, TX
Member since Oct 2021
278 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:45 pm to
quote:

Many believe Israel has the obligation to immediately establish a human rights corridor to allow the immediate evacuation of women and children.


Can you point me toward that data?
Posted by texastigerr
Texas
Member since Jan 2005
8310 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:46 pm to
In 2006, Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections and assumed administrative control of Gaza Strip and West Bank. In 2007, Hamas led a military victory over Fatah, the secular Palestinian nationalist party, which had dominated the Palestinian National Authority.

Elections matter.
Posted by TrueTiger
Chicken's most valuable
Member since Sep 2004
68139 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:46 pm to

If it's an existential situation, there are no rules.

If you personally are threatened with your life you always have the moral and ethical right to kill to defend it by any way you have to.

That doesn't mean you won't get in trouble with the law. Kyle Rittenhouse very nearly did.

But morals and laws don't always run in parallels.
Posted by Rtowntiger
Member since Dec 2012
2017 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:47 pm to
quote:

But should Israel get in the gutter with Hamas?

Isn't recognizing humanitarian principles what makes us and our allies different from terrorists like Hamas?


You can't just go kill innocent people and then run and hide behind "humanitarian principles" when you violate them daily. This cycle would rinse and repeat without resolution if Israel allowed them to use this tactic to avoid repercussions. I hate it for the innocent people who live in Gaza, but I don't think they are going to find much quarter.
Posted by Shakey
Member since Sep 2023
107 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:51 pm to
quote:

You can't just go kill innocent people and then run and hide behind "humanitarian principles" when you violate them daily.
That's the conundrum here. The civilian Palestinians, who number well over 1 million, didn't attack innocent people. Hamas did.

How should Israel respond to the civilians?
Posted by udtiger
Over your left shoulder
Member since Nov 2006
99074 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:52 pm to
quote:

Kill them all, God will sort them out


This
Posted by Prole Drift
Snook, TX
Member since Oct 2021
278 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:54 pm to
They Gaza citizenry elected Hamas. Every day, they live amongst the terrorists enabling their activities and knowing full well their intent. They are by no means innocent.
Posted by texastigerr
Texas
Member since Jan 2005
8310 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:54 pm to
Bomb them into submission. Let the Arab countries provide civilians safe passage if they want. But Israel doesn't need to stop to let it happen. They didn't start this. Hamas knew what the blow back would be and doesn't care. So Israel should show them what not caring means.
Posted by goatmilker
Castle Anthrax
Member since Feb 2009
64447 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:55 pm to
When fighting on foreign soil rules are often applied.

When fighting on home soil rules are meaningless and only victory matters.
Posted by TigerintheNO
New Orleans
Member since Jan 2004
41229 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:55 pm to
quote:

What compromise can Israel take to allow relief to civilians while also ensuring Hamas is destroyed?


give civilian 72 hours for safe passage into UN camp (Egypt)
Posted by Rtowntiger
Member since Dec 2012
2017 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:56 pm to
quote:

How should Israel respond to the civilians?


This is Gaza we are talking about. If you living in that terrorist hotbed you knew this was coming. Israel will bomb away.
Posted by Prole Drift
Snook, TX
Member since Oct 2021
278 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:56 pm to
Israel needs to claim the real estate. The days of Gaza as Palestinian land need to end.
Posted by TigerintheNO
New Orleans
Member since Jan 2004
41229 posts
Posted on 10/12/23 at 4:56 pm to
quote:

In 2006, Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections and assumed administrative control of Gaza Strip and West Bank


The West Bank is not controlled by Hamas, Palestinian Authority has controlled the West Bank since the 90s.
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