Gaza redux

Today I heard on the radio that the UN were complaining that Israel were killing too many women and kids in their attacks on Gaza and that Israel was totally to blame for this situation. No mention was made of Hamas, except to say that they were continuing to fire rockets into Israel.

Now the laws of war are pretty clear on this matter (such laws codified in various international conventions throughout the years, the most famous being the Geneva Convention). A military force has to do it's best to prevent civilian casualties, however, the safety and well being of it's own forces are ALWAYS paramount.

They are more important than civilian lives, important cultural buildings or vital infrastructure. There are very obvious and simple reasons for this.

Firstly, it's going to happen anyway. No soldier is going to let himself or his comrades be killed because they are being fired upon from a position that they cannot return fire to.

Secondly, if it wasn't codified like that, it would in fact encourage combatants to use human shields as a part of their military options.

Possibly the most famous example of this in action is the case of Monte Cassino. In Italy, during WW2, the allies were confronted with the difficult task of capturing the town of Monte Cassino, including the very famous and very ancient monastary, which dominated the surrounding landscape and provided an excellent view of the western lines. Despite the irreplaceable nature of the monastary and it's artistic contents the allies chose to level it to the ground, to ensure that it couldn't be used for military purposes. Ironically, the rubble they created provided an excellent base for the Germans who then occupied it and fought stubbornly to hold it.

However, the principle is very clear. The military objective is paramount.

Now the Israeli army is a modern, westernised, military force, with respect for the rules of law and codified rules of engagement. Hamas are a bunch of gangsters with no such things and only one objective, the complete destruction of the state of Israel.

Hamas are actively utilising schools, hospitals and civilian housing as places from which to launch rockets and fire on the Israelis. One prominent Hamas leader who was recently killed was actually keeping his extended family close to him, on the assumption that the Israelis would never accept that many civilian casualties to take him out (he was wrong and his family joined him when he went to receive his 64 virgins). The Israeli forces have to combat Hamas and they have to do that wherever Hamas presents itself.

Therefore, the only people who can be criticised for these women and children dying are those members of Hamas itself.

By the UN and the international media blaming Israel and pouring forth condemnation on it's head, they are effectively encouraging Hamas and other similar groups to utilise human shields as a valid weapon in their fight against the west.

The only other option is for Israel to accept the ongoing launching of rockets into it's territory, rockets that continue to improve in payload, range and accuracy.

If you think that that's the best option let me know. I'll come around to your house once a day and punch you in the face. Sometimes I might miss, sometimes I might knock you out. One day I might bring a baseball bat. But still, you shouldn't have a problem with that. It's not like I'm going to do any real damage, is it?

Harry