Israel-Hamas Thread II

Carl Emerson said:

The new paper, published by professors Lewi Stone and Gregory Rose, argues that the relatively lower rate of women and children fatalities, combined with the high percentage of women and children in the general Gaza population, demonstrates that the IDF has taken systematic measures to avoid civilian casualties.

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I've known from the very beginning that the casualty rate is grossely exaggerated. Remember when there was a claim that Israel bombed a hospital, and it turned out that it was actually an Islamic Jihad rocket that exploded in the parking lot? The casualties claimed by the Gaza Health Ministry were TEN TIMES greater than the reality. Since that event, I have routinely moved the decimal point over one place when reading any Health Ministry statistic. I am also conscious that these statistics do not reflect civilian casualties, but all casualties.

This doesn't mean I'm not concerned with the high casualty rate. And it doesn't mean I'm not cognizant of IDF soldiers committing war crimes, such as in the killing of the medical personnel. In real life, things are not black and white. Real life is messy. Horribly messy.

Malnourished children, hospital supplies running low: Impact of 2 months of no aid in Gaza​

Israel's decision to halt all humanitarian aid from crossing into Gaza is entering its third month.

The Israeli government said the blockade is to pressure Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages, including the remains of those who have died, and to accept a new proposal to extend phase one of the ceasefire deal, which ended on March 18.

Osama As, the lead for quality, evidence and learning with the Mercy Corps Gaza Emergency Response Program, said the situation "is getting worse day after day, especially in relation to food" because most people in Gaza depend on humanitarian aid and community kitchens for food.

UNICEF and its partners have a small number of ready-to-use therapeutic foods to treat malnutrition, but they are running out. UNICEF has already run out of food meant to address the first signs of malnutrition.

In late April, the United Nations' World Food Programme said it had delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meal kitchens in Gaza, and it expected to fully run out of food in the coming days. Additionally, the nonprofit group World Central Kitchen (WCK) announced on Wednesday that it had run out of supplies and ingredients needed to cook meals or bake bread in Gaza.

Hospitals running out of supplies to treat injured​

Durrani said her team was forced to ration medications, including painkillers, antibiotics and critical surgery supplies. They often had to perform painful procedures and wound dressing changes without any pain control.

She said she didn't want to cause pain by removing dressings without proper pain control, but if the dressings aren't removed, then it could lead to infections for patients.

"We're being forced to make impossible decisions like that, which is unconscionable, given that just miles away there are trucks and trucks full of food and supplies and medications and nutritional sources," she said.

essentialsaltes said:

Malnourished children, hospital supplies running low: Impact of 2 months of no aid in Gaza​

Israel's decision to halt all humanitarian aid from crossing into Gaza is entering its third month.

The Israeli government said the blockade is to pressure Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages, including the remains of those who have died, and to accept a new proposal to extend phase one of the ceasefire deal, which ended on March 18.

Osama As, the lead for quality, evidence and learning with the Mercy Corps Gaza Emergency Response Program, said the situation "is getting worse day after day, especially in relation to food" because most people in Gaza depend on humanitarian aid and community kitchens for food.

UNICEF and its partners have a small number of ready-to-use therapeutic foods to treat malnutrition, but they are running out. UNICEF has already run out of food meant to address the first signs of malnutrition.

In late April, the United Nations' World Food Programme said it had delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meal kitchens in Gaza, and it expected to fully run out of food in the coming days. Additionally, the nonprofit group World Central Kitchen (WCK) announced on Wednesday that it had run out of supplies and ingredients needed to cook meals or bake bread in Gaza.

Hospitals running out of supplies to treat injured​

Durrani said her team was forced to ration medications, including painkillers, antibiotics and critical surgery supplies. They often had to perform painful procedures and wound dressing changes without any pain control.

She said she didn't want to cause pain by removing dressings without proper pain control, but if the dressings aren't removed, then it could lead to infections for patients.

"We're being forced to make impossible decisions like that, which is unconscionable, given that just miles away there are trucks and trucks full of food and supplies and medications and nutritional sources," she said.

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Is it correct that to Hamas, the retaining of the innocent, suffering, hostages (including US citizens), and attacking their neighbour Israel, is more important than the plight of their own people. ???

Just for the record I don't think either side is innocent by any means.

Carl Emerson said:

Is it correct that to Hamas, the retaining of the innocent, suffering, hostages (including US citizens), and attacking their neighbour Israel, is more important than the plight of their own people. ???

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I don't know that that's "correct". More likely, they understand the remaining hostages are one of their few bargaining chips. It was effective in the first phase of the ceasefire, and Hamas released many. But Israel has decided reoccupation is preferable to progressing to the second planned phase of the ceasefire.

NYT: Strike on Hospital Highlights Israeli Attacks on Gaza Health System

NYT: Israeli Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Northern Gaza Overnight, Health Officials Say

Perhaps a quick bombing death is more merciful than the slow starvation, but ...

Gaza crisis 'beyond atrocious' as IDF operations intensify, UN chief says​

At least 153 were killed in Gaza in a day, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Guterres issued one of his strongest statements yet on the crisis in Gaza, calling the situation for Palestinians "beyond description, beyond atrocious & beyond inhumane."

In a post on X, Guterres condemned the ongoing Israeli siege and humanitarian blockade: "A policy of siege & starvation makes a mockery of international law. The blockade against humanitarian aid must end immediately," he said. "This is a moment for moral clarity & action."

Israel's Netanyahu says 'it appears' Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar was killed​

Netanyahu spoke of the ongoing military operation in Gaza, saying the strip will be under Israel's control at the end of the war.

Israeli strike kills nine of Gaza doctor's children, hospital says​

An Israeli air strike on Gaza hit the home of a doctor and killed nine of her 10 children, the hospital where she works in the city of Khan Younis says.

Nasser hospital said one of Dr Alaa al-Najjar's children and her husband were injured, but survived. Graeme Groom, a British surgeon working in the hospital, said he had operated on her surviving 11-year-old boy.

Dr Muneer Alboursh, director of the health ministry, said on X that the al-Najjars' family house was hit minutes after Dr al-Najjar's husband Hamdi had returned home after driving his wife to work.

Dr Alboursh said the eldest of Dr al-Najjar's children was aged 12.

Mr Groom said that the children's father was "very badly injured", in a video posted on the Instagram account of another British surgeon working at Nasser hospital, Victoria Rose.

Sounds like Hamas should surrender and hand over the hostages they have tortured and starved.

Head of controversial US/Israel-backed Gaza aid group resigns over determination it won't be able to adhere to humanitarian principles​

The plan, also backed by the US, envisions private contractors delivering aid to Palestinians via Israel-designated distribution sites.

In his resignation statement, Wood, a former US marine, said: "Two months ago, I was approached about leading GHF's efforts because of my experience in humanitarian operations.

"Like many others around the world, I was horrified and heartbroken at the hunger crisis in Gaza and, as a humanitarian leader, I was compelled to do whatever I could to help alleviate the suffering."

He said he was "proud of the work I oversaw, including developing a pragmatic plan that could feed hungry people, address security concerns about diversion, and complement the work of longstanding NGOs in Gaza."

But, he said, it had become "clear that it is not possible to implement this plan while also strictly adhering to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, which I will not abandon."

Israeli media reported that the first of four distribution centres would be opened by GHF on Monday morning.

Last week, Israel eased an 11-week blockade on all food, fuel, medicine and other supplies entering Gaza, with the first aid trucks reaching civilians in recent days - but the UN has said it's a "drop in the ocean of what's needed".

It says 57 children died from malnutrition during Israel's blockade

Under the GHF plan, Palestinians would be expected to collect boxes weighing up to 20kg (44lbs) containing food and basic hygiene items from four distribution points in southern Gaza.

Responding to the plan earlier this month, UN children's fund spokesperson Jonathan Crick said: "How is a mother of four children, who has lost her husband, going to carry 20kg back to her makeshift tent, sometimes several kilometres away?"

"The most vulnerable people, including the elderly, people with disabilities, the sick and wounded, and orphans, will face huge challenges to access aid."

Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert says his country is committing war crimes​

“Recent operations in Gaza have nothing to do with legitimate war goals,” he wrote. “This is now a private political war. Its immediate result is the transformation of Gaza into a humanitarian disaster area.”

Olmert said he had often asserted that Israel was not committing war crimes in Gaza and claimed with conviction that “in no case did a government official give orders to hit Gazan civilians indiscriminately”.

However, in recent weeks, “I’ve been no longer able to do so,” he said. “What we are doing in Gaza now is a war of devastation: indiscriminate, limitless, cruel and criminal killing of civilians. It’s the result of government policy – knowingly, evilly, maliciously, irresponsibly dictated.”

“Yes, Israel is committing war crimes,” he concluded.

essentialsaltes said:

Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert says his country is committing war crimes​

“Recent operations in Gaza have nothing to do with legitimate war goals,” he wrote. “This is now a private political war. Its immediate result is the transformation of Gaza into a humanitarian disaster area.”

Olmert said he had often asserted that Israel was not committing war crimes in Gaza and claimed with conviction that “in no case did a government official give orders to hit Gazan civilians indiscriminately”.

However, in recent weeks, “I’ve been no longer able to do so,” he said. “What we are doing in Gaza now is a war of devastation: indiscriminate, limitless, cruel and criminal killing of civilians. It’s the result of government policy – knowingly, evilly, maliciously, irresponsibly dictated.”

“Yes, Israel is committing war crimes,” he concluded.

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Who knew Israel had anti semites in high office?

Desk trauma said:

Who knew Israel had anti semites in high office?

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There is a big difference between anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist. Semites are the children of Shem, and this would include the children of Hagai, Sarah and Kendra. Many of the people being accused of being anti-Semitic are themselves Semitic people.

essentialsaltes said:

Head of controversial US/Israel-backed Gaza aid group resigns over determination it won't be able to adhere to humanitarian principles​

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Key US consulting firm withdraws from new Gaza aid mechanism​

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a US management consulting firm that helped establish the new American- and Israeli-backed aid distribution mechanism in Gaza, has abandoned the project, calling back its team from Tel Aviv on Friday, a spokesperson for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says, confirming a report by The Washington Post.

A BCG spokesperson has said the company, responsible for setting the payment and procurement rates for a network of contractors tasked with constructing four aid distribution centers in southern Gaza, ended its contract with the GHF, the leading body running the mechanism, and has placed a senior partner overseeing the project on leave, awaiting an internal review, the report says.

The BCG withdrawal adds to the challenges faced by the GHF since it began operations, including the departure of top executives, separate allegations that it and the IDF opened fire on civilians collecting aid, and continued rejection by the United Nations and key humanitarian groups.

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The reporting on the shooting incident(s) at the aid centers has been very 'he said she said' between the IDF and the Gaza health ministry, and this doesn't help all that much as "Israel does not allow international news organisations, including the BBC, into Gaza, making verifying what is happening in the territory difficult."

But FWIW

Red Cross says at least 21 killed and dozens shot in Gaza aid incident​

A "mass casualty influx" of people, many with gunshot or shrapnel wounds, was received at a Red Cross field hospital in southern Gaza, the organisation said, following disputed reports about an incident near an aid distribution centre in Rafah.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said 21 people were "declared dead upon arrival" while women and children were among 179 cases.

The organisation's statement came after the Hamas-run civil defence agency in Gaza said at least 31 people were killed and many more wounded in the incident, which it blamed on "Israeli gunfire" targeting civilians.

Mohammed Ghareeb, a journalist in Rafah, told the BBC that Palestinians had gathered near the aid centre run by the GHF when Israeli tanks approached and opened fire on the crowd.

Mr Ghareeb said the crowd of Palestinians were near Al-Alam roundabout around 04:30 local time (02:30 BST), close to the aid centre run by GHF, shortly before Israeli tanks appeared and opened fire.

But the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said findings from an initial inquiry showed its forces had not fired at people while they were near or within the aid centre.

The IDF also released drone footage it said showed armed and masked men throwing stones and shooting at civilians while they were collecting aid in the nearby city of Khan Younis. The BBC could not immediately verify the footage.

[Note that Khan Younis is not Rafah and is 5 miles away.]