Israeli forces have taken control of much of northern Gaza—at least the parts that are above ground. Beneath the strip’s devastated urban landscape, Hamas still reigns.

TEL AVIV—Israeli forces have taken control of much of northern Gaza—at least the parts that are above ground. Beneath the strip’s devastated urban landscape, Hamas still reigns.

The war is entering a new phase, as the Israeli military takes its fight underground and into Gaza’s legendary subterranean tunnel network.

    • Andy@slrpnk.netEnglish
      73·
      1 year ago

      The whole argument about whether they are or aren’t in any given spot is moot. Israel isn’t differentiating between Hamas and civilians, and none of this is an actual defensive operation.

      If Netanyahu wanted to actually protect Israelis, the obvious ways to do so are to:

      1. Staff the Gaza boarder crossings. They were largely unmanned, as they troops were relocated to assist in illegally annexing the West Bank.
      2. Replace Hamas. Netanyahu repeatedly supported Hamas because he said that their rule in Gaza prevented the PLO from negotiating for peace.
      3. Stop trying to ignite terrorism in the West Bank. The whole point of all of this is to TRY to create violence that justifies land theft. He’s literally not trying to keep Israeli’s safe.
      4. Just negotiate peace. He’s been in charge for nearly a generation, and his primary legacy has been eroding civil rights for both Israelis AND Palestinians.

      It’s just maddening how we get focused on the trees instead of the forest: Netanyahu has been an authoritarian war criminal for decades, and under his control this situation will never lead to peace or security, because that’s never been the goal.

      • Hatsune Miku @lemmy.worldEnglish
        63·
        1 year ago

        and how do you get the hostages back and launch a counteroffensive because Hamas broke the ceasefire that was in place?

        • Andy@slrpnk.netEnglish
          21·
          1 year ago

          I don’t understand what you’re asking. Can you rephrase it?

          • Hatsune Miku @lemmy.worldEnglish
            11·
            1 year ago

            Israel’s extreme response is because Hamas killed roughly one thousand innocent lives and also captured civilian and military hostages. How do you get them back while responding to the attack?

            • Andy@slrpnk.netEnglish
              1·
              1 year ago

              You pick up the phone and negotiate a hostage exchange.

              You say, meet us at this spot tomorrow with 10 of the oldest and youngest hostages you’ve got and we’ll do the same. If it goes well, we’ll talk about doing another exchange the next day.

              That’s what Hamas wants. That’s what they’ve usually taken and returned hostages for. Hamas released two hostages so far in the weeks this has been going on. How come someone negotiated for 2 and then stopped there?

    • palal@lemmy.mlEnglish
      44·
      1 year ago

      I’m sure that’s why the BBC found a planted gun in the MRI room of al-Shifa…