Forum Topic

Proportionality?

"Official statements and leaked assessments from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reveal an internal recognition that Hamas, as a political idea and guerrilla group, cannot be completely eliminated, despite the military's ongoing efforts to destroy its fighting capabilities. This stance contrasts with the public position of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [total destruction and complete victory], leading to a significant rift between the military and political leadership." (AI)So, thanks to Netanyahu the war will go on and on until there are no serviceable buildings left in Gaza and whoever remains will be living in tents. Then the war will go on to the next phase. I wonder what it will be?-----------------------------"Approximately 20% of Germany's total housing stock was destroyed or heavily damaged by the end of World War II, while the figure for the large cities reached around 45%. The U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey also found that 39% of dwelling units were destroyed or seriously damaged across 49 of the largest German cities." (AI)"The UN estimates that approximately 92 per cent of all residential buildings in Gaza – around 436,000 homes – have been damaged or destroyed since the start of the conflict." (AI)

David Ainsworth ● 4d2 Comments

""Proportionality in war is a core principle of international humanitarian law (IHL) requiring that the anticipated damage to civilians and civilian objects must not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage expected from an attack. Commanders must weigh the foreseeable civilian harm against the military gain before launching an attack, taking precautions to minimize harm. This principle applies to both the initiation of war (jus ad bellum) and the conduct of hostilities (jus in bello), with the latter focusing on avoiding disproportionate collateral damage to civilians and civilian property during attacks on legitimate military targets. " (AI)"Proportionality in Jus ad Bellum Proportionate Resort to Force:This aspect of proportionality concerns the decision to go to war. A state's use of force in self-defense, for example, must be proportionate to the threat or attack it is responding to."" (AI)

David Ainsworth ● 3d

Mr Ainsworth'"Official statements and leaked assessments from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reveal an internal recognition that Hamas, as a political idea and guerrilla group, cannot be completely eliminated, despite the military's ongoing efforts to destroy its fighting capabilities. This stance contrasts with the public position of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [total destruction and complete victory], leading to a significant rift between the military and political leadership." What is the 'political idea' that Hamas represents ?Is it not that Israel and the Jews should be annihilated ?That's what their Charter says.Do you support them on this point ?Is it credible that Israel would not take whatever steps necessary to stop this happening ?However it is probably true that as a belief it can never be totally erased from the minds of those that adhere to it.However, as a guerrilla group that avows to such a belief I would have thought it could be eliminated.Firstly by eliminating its leadership.Just recently BBC News reported that 'Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, has been killed in an aerial attack in Gaza City, Israel has said'.I think that means pretty much all the Hamas leaders are now  cavorting with virgins resulting from an Israeli strategy that might be described by a film quote - "You want to kill a snake? Cut off its head".The attacks on Gaza will stop when the Palestinians recognise that Hamas does not represent them but is just a gang of butch thugs looking for a fight, and that their real future lies in a negotiated peace treaty with Israel.That is if Hamas give them an opportunity to put forward this political opinion.A peaceful Palestine that accepts the right of Israel to exist might even realise what needs to be done to develop a  democratic polity and a thriving economy.Bound to upset the West Putney Palestinian Liberation Front though !

John Hawkes ● 4d