So... no threads about Israel and Gaza, eh? (2014) — Page 5

PJ - appreciate you posting all of these articles on the larger regional conflict. I do wonder what would happen if Israel was successful in completely destroying and routing out Hamas, so that Fatah and the Palestinian Authority gain control over Gaza. Would the Arab states who currently support the Israeli operation (or remain silent on it) then return to supporting the full liberation of the Palestinian people?

I also wonder what the present situation would be like if Ariel Sharon and his more moderate Kadima party was still with us and still in power. Though he has a dubious past as a possible war criminal, in his later years as Prime Minister, Sharon moved decidedly to the left and started to become a true partner to Abbas and the Palestinians. Which, of course, greatly angered the far-right elements in Israel like the Likud Party and Netanyahu who have never believed in a 2-state solution and, probably, never will. Perhaps if Sharon was still with us and still making meaningful progress on the 2-state solution, the people of Gaza would not have been as enthusiastic to vote Hamas into power in 2006.

All supposition. We'll never know. But, man, imagine what the situation would like in a few years if Hamas is gone and the far-right Likud is gone and instead we have moderate governments in both the Palestinian territories and in Israel. Seems unlikely, though. After this offensive, I imagine Likud has secured their power for many years to come. And, perhaps, Hamas has as well.

Updated On: 8/1/14 at 04:41 PM

Perhaps if Sharon was still with us and still making meaningful progress on the 2-state solution, the people of Gaza would not have been as enthusiastic to vote Hamas into power in 2006.

The 2006 election happened only a few weeks after Sharon's stroke, though. He was replaced by Ehud Olmert, who just before the election said that he could back the creation of a Palestinian state and that Israel should give up parts of the West Bank.

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"Many Arab countries have historically not valued Palestinian life very much."

One gets the impression that Hamas shares that sentiment.

If this "Son of Hamas" author can be believed, it is a fascist organization that not only robs the Palestinian people but tortures and kills them.

http://youtu.be/xwIxuODeh3s

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I don't see that reported anywhere. Perhaps it was a false rumor.

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Yes, I see now. The Israelis say there was a "weapons manufacturing research center" in the part of the University that was destroyed. Whatever it was, it isn't anymore.

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What a freaking DO UCHE!

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I don't know about troops withdrawing. My cousin's brother in law is being called to Gaza on Monday.

Updated On: 8/2/14 at 03:46 PM

RIP 2nd Lt. Goldin

Rest in Peace also the 19 children who are unamed who were killed in the UN School. Neither side is blameless.

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Some amount of blame can and should be placed on those in the UN and UNRWA who allowed munitions to be hidden in (at least three) UN schools. While it is possible these weapons were placed in the schools without the knowledge of anyone working for UNRWA at all, when it happens consistently, someone obviously knows what's going on.

And if not someone with UNRWA, then surely it is someone with Hamas.

No?

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UNRWA Press Release July 17, 2014:

Yesterday, in the course of the regular inspection of its premises, UNRWA discovered approximately 20 rockets hidden in a vacant school in the Gaza Strip. UNRWA strongly condemns the group or groups responsible for placing the weapons in one of its installations. This is a flagrant violation of the inviolability of its premises under international law. This incident, which is the first of its kind in Gaza, endangered civilians including staff and put at risk UNRWA’s vital mission to assist and protect Palestine refugees in Gaza.

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Five days later:

July 22, 2014

UNRWA CONDEMNS PLACEMENT OF ROCKETS, FOR A SECOND TIME, IN ONE OF ITS SCHOOLS

Today, in the course of the regular inspection of its premises, UNRWA discovered rockets hidden in a vacant school in the Gaza Strip. As soon as the rockets were discovered, UNRWA staff were withdrawn from the premises, and so we are unable to confirm the precise number of rockets. The school is situated between two other UNRWA schools that currently each accommodate 1,500 internally displaced persons....

UNRWA has reinforced and continues to implement its robust procedures to maintain the neutrality of all its premises, including a strict no-weapons policy and regular inspections of its installations, to ensure they are only used for humanitarian purposes.

Palestinian civilians in Gaza rely on UNRWA to provide humanitarian assistance and shelter. At all times, and especially during escalations of violence, the sanctity and integrity of UN installations must be respected.

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And, then on July 30th, bombs were found in a third school.

In other words, schools, hospitals and UN facilities have been weaponized. Who put those bombs there?

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Updated On: 8/3/14 at 12:29 AM

PJ - absolutely. The apparent ease with which Hamas has hidden munitions in UN facilities needs to be investigated when this bloody conflict has ended. My point in posting the HumanizePalestine link is not to make a political argument, though. Rather, just to remember that when we hear figures like "19 killed", each of those 19 has a family, hopes, aspirations, a story. Kinda syrupy, I know, but I think it's worth remembering. Unless the Palestian civilian killed is a prominent figure, we rarely hear anything more than a number in the mainstream narrative.

Popular - your link isn't working. Can you repost? Or perhaps it's a private story on Facebook?