This is a picture of hundreds of potential war crimes, according to some who are accusing Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza. It is a satellite photo of the Jabalia Refugee Camp in Gaza. Imagine for a moment that you are a senior member of Israel’s Defense Forces, the IDF. This, or a satellite photo like it, is what Israel’s military officials and generals are looking at every day as Israel strikes back at Hamas for its attack on Israel on October 7.
Excellent article. I have been thinking this for a while. War crimes were part of what I taught at the Joint Forces Staff College. Israel’s actions are not war crimes. The problem is that many journalists, members of human rights groups and others know nothing about the law of war. Likewise, quite a few are very skewed in their morals to blame Israel of committing war crimes, just because.
Since Hamas has spent years building their command centers, communications fasciitis’s, tunnels, bunkers, supply and ammunition depots in around and under apartment buildings, hospitals, other medical facilities, schools, mosques, and churches, they have made Gaza a living hell for its inhabitants. Targeting in such an environment is difficult, especially when high value targets are identified and can escape if not immediately hit. Hamas wants Israel to hit the innocents, that’s while they do this. They are the war criminals.
Thank you for this article. All the best and be safe.
I have always been under the impression that Israel's special forces, by reputation, were top notch. I realize Entebbe was a long time ago but I would guess they have only improved since then, if anything. My career specialty was physical surveillance and the Mossad was always considered the gold standard in that area. Not the same thing, but it is a trend. I have a feeling the issue preventing a covert action in this case had more to do with not being able to get within 15 blocks of the target without the entire operation being blown. How do you land a helicopter in that? How do you move through the streets undetected? It's a logistical nightmare.
The U.N. has proven itself, once again, toothless.
As for your information re what is, and is not a war crime, it is appreciated by me, at least. Israel's trying to defend itself has loosed all the anti-Semitism that has been waiting for a "reason" to show its face.
Again, Lucian, what an informative article. I/we certainly learned what a war crime is and isn't. Thank you for educating us and keeping us up to date.
Nov 3, 2023·edited Nov 3, 2023Liked by Lucian K. Truscott IV
This comprehensive comparison between defensive damage to repel aggression and unprovoked, wanton attacks upon civilians in a sovereign nation is astonishing. What you, Lucian, have made eminently understandable is the difference between the two forms of warfare. One is a fight for existence of a persecuted nation by a sworn enemy, while the other is a tragic and heartbreaking betrayal of a long-suffering people who have been refused settlement by their own brethren so that the poison of hatred is allowed to spread and inflict the healing process.
It is up to the experts to sort out the subtle nuances of warfare. While we are all appalled by violence, and defensive and offensive wounds bleed out with the same ferociously, the international community will discern the cause and effect, assigning blame, even as pain and suffering persists throughout.
Keeping track of the ramifications of bloodshed requires an informed assessment and the skills to know the difference. Kol ha Kavod! We now bear the onerous responsibility of justifying murder. It is a sad day for us all!
May the reconciliation begin and bring further clarity and a renewal of the healing process. We cannot be too hasty. The thirst for revenge is powerful. More powerful still is the desire for peace.
"If we'd lost the war, we'd all have been prosecuted as war criminals."
Curtis LeMay
I'm not sure there will be any "winners" when this is over. Hamas wanted to set off an uncontrolled frenzy of chaos and death to try and prevent any further peace efforts from succeeding. Sadly, I fear they may have gotten their wish.
I learned today from a broadcast by an important Hamas leader that their goal is to eliminate Israel and kill all Jews and that they will continue again and again to attack Israel until they achieve their goal.
We now know that Gaza City is surrounded and ground forces are being ambushed by the terrorists popping out of hidden trap doors from the tunnels. This even though according to an Israeli spokesman they have dropped those big ground penetrating bombs that explode a 100 feet into the ground creating the big craters we see.
A Hamma leader tonight speaking on Lebanon television claimed it was a crime what was being done by IDF to Gazan civilians but what they did on Oct 7 to Israeli civilians was deserved and that they would do it again and again (so much for those advocating for a cease fire!).
No mention either of Hamas deliberately keeping civilians from leaving Gaza City so they could gain world sympathy and cries for a halt to hostilities. Of course they have never built bomb shelters for the same reason, meantime they themselves can run into the tunnels at anytime for protection.
Hamas even confiscates food and medical suplies that come into Gaza from around the world and sell them and pocketr the money.
Allied bombers killed over 70,000 French civilians in liberating France. This was daily collateral damage. It was awful for the French, but it was necessary to defeat the Germans and liberate them.
As Gen Sherman said, “War is hell.” By locating its HQs where they do, it is Hamas, not the Israelis, that makes war hell on Gaza’s civilians.
Lucian, this is a magnificent piece of reporting, analysis, and clarity. You are right--Dresden, etc represent barbarity; the Jabalia bombing is very different. I wouldn't realize the latter without your clarity and calmness in writing. The tragedy continues to unfold. Would that MSM would have something this clear on the front page. Thank you. And the Two State situation has to be a result of this bloodshed on both sides (but that is aspirational prose....)
Lucian,
Excellent article. I have been thinking this for a while. War crimes were part of what I taught at the Joint Forces Staff College. Israel’s actions are not war crimes. The problem is that many journalists, members of human rights groups and others know nothing about the law of war. Likewise, quite a few are very skewed in their morals to blame Israel of committing war crimes, just because.
Since Hamas has spent years building their command centers, communications fasciitis’s, tunnels, bunkers, supply and ammunition depots in around and under apartment buildings, hospitals, other medical facilities, schools, mosques, and churches, they have made Gaza a living hell for its inhabitants. Targeting in such an environment is difficult, especially when high value targets are identified and can escape if not immediately hit. Hamas wants Israel to hit the innocents, that’s while they do this. They are the war criminals.
Thank you for this article. All the best and be safe.
Peace,
Steve
I think this is an amazing piece of reporting and analysis. Thanks for writing it.
I have been worried that Israel would turn northern Gaza into a parking lot with indiscriminate attacks.
At some level this needs to end with disarmament of Hamas and a second state for the Palestinian population.
I have always been under the impression that Israel's special forces, by reputation, were top notch. I realize Entebbe was a long time ago but I would guess they have only improved since then, if anything. My career specialty was physical surveillance and the Mossad was always considered the gold standard in that area. Not the same thing, but it is a trend. I have a feeling the issue preventing a covert action in this case had more to do with not being able to get within 15 blocks of the target without the entire operation being blown. How do you land a helicopter in that? How do you move through the streets undetected? It's a logistical nightmare.
The U.N. has proven itself, once again, toothless.
As for your information re what is, and is not a war crime, it is appreciated by me, at least. Israel's trying to defend itself has loosed all the anti-Semitism that has been waiting for a "reason" to show its face.
Again, Lucian, what an informative article. I/we certainly learned what a war crime is and isn't. Thank you for educating us and keeping us up to date.
This comprehensive comparison between defensive damage to repel aggression and unprovoked, wanton attacks upon civilians in a sovereign nation is astonishing. What you, Lucian, have made eminently understandable is the difference between the two forms of warfare. One is a fight for existence of a persecuted nation by a sworn enemy, while the other is a tragic and heartbreaking betrayal of a long-suffering people who have been refused settlement by their own brethren so that the poison of hatred is allowed to spread and inflict the healing process.
It is up to the experts to sort out the subtle nuances of warfare. While we are all appalled by violence, and defensive and offensive wounds bleed out with the same ferociously, the international community will discern the cause and effect, assigning blame, even as pain and suffering persists throughout.
Keeping track of the ramifications of bloodshed requires an informed assessment and the skills to know the difference. Kol ha Kavod! We now bear the onerous responsibility of justifying murder. It is a sad day for us all!
May the reconciliation begin and bring further clarity and a renewal of the healing process. We cannot be too hasty. The thirst for revenge is powerful. More powerful still is the desire for peace.
Just because something is legal doesn’t mean it is either moral or ethical.
Your excellent article reminded me of this quote:
"If we'd lost the war, we'd all have been prosecuted as war criminals."
Curtis LeMay
I'm not sure there will be any "winners" when this is over. Hamas wanted to set off an uncontrolled frenzy of chaos and death to try and prevent any further peace efforts from succeeding. Sadly, I fear they may have gotten their wish.
So our invasion of Iraq was a war crime.
I learned today from a broadcast by an important Hamas leader that their goal is to eliminate Israel and kill all Jews and that they will continue again and again to attack Israel until they achieve their goal.
We now know that Gaza City is surrounded and ground forces are being ambushed by the terrorists popping out of hidden trap doors from the tunnels. This even though according to an Israeli spokesman they have dropped those big ground penetrating bombs that explode a 100 feet into the ground creating the big craters we see.
A Hamma leader tonight speaking on Lebanon television claimed it was a crime what was being done by IDF to Gazan civilians but what they did on Oct 7 to Israeli civilians was deserved and that they would do it again and again (so much for those advocating for a cease fire!).
No mention either of Hamas deliberately keeping civilians from leaving Gaza City so they could gain world sympathy and cries for a halt to hostilities. Of course they have never built bomb shelters for the same reason, meantime they themselves can run into the tunnels at anytime for protection.
Hamas even confiscates food and medical suplies that come into Gaza from around the world and sell them and pocketr the money.
Allied bombers killed over 70,000 French civilians in liberating France. This was daily collateral damage. It was awful for the French, but it was necessary to defeat the Germans and liberate them.
As Gen Sherman said, “War is hell.” By locating its HQs where they do, it is Hamas, not the Israelis, that makes war hell on Gaza’s civilians.
Lucian, this is a magnificent piece of reporting, analysis, and clarity. You are right--Dresden, etc represent barbarity; the Jabalia bombing is very different. I wouldn't realize the latter without your clarity and calmness in writing. The tragedy continues to unfold. Would that MSM would have something this clear on the front page. Thank you. And the Two State situation has to be a result of this bloodshed on both sides (but that is aspirational prose....)
Thank you for your clear explanation and setting us straight on this war crimes thing....war itself is the crime. Peace be with you!
Thank you for the clarity on this issue.