Gazans say they fear a fate worse than bombs: permanent exile

[David__77]

CAIRO, Dec 15 (Reuters) - With Israeli bombs pounding the length of the Gaza Strip, Gazans have been squeezed up against the border with Egypt's Sinai Peninsula at the town of Rafah and say they have practically nowhere left to flee.

Hundreds of thousands have been displaced from their homes and as the bombardment comes closer again many fear the only option to keep them alive is exile to Sinai.

…

“We refuse displacement to Sinai and we want to return to our homes, even if they are in ruins,” she said.

…

"If they make me choose between living under bombardment or leaving, I’ll stay. I’ll go back even if tanks are there. I’ll go back to Gaza City and will endure anything," said Umm Imad, a 73-year-old woman also sheltering in Rafah.

…

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gazans-say-they-fear-fate-worse-than-bombs-permanent-exile-2023-12-15/

[David__77]

1. In my opinion, this perspective is heroic.

[comradebillyboy]

2. Well Egypt wants nothing to do with the Gazans and will

not allow Israel to transfer any Palestinians to Egypt. Nor will any other Arab state accept Palestinian refugees.

Israel, as much as they wish to, just can't ethnically cleanse the occupied territories so eventually they will need to reach an accommodation. But such an accommodation will never happen while Netanyahu is calling the shots.

[Lonestarblue]

3. One of Netanyahu's ministers recently said that the war will continue for many more months.

That means hundreds of thousands of innocent Palestinian deaths and probably total destruction of any buildings still standing in Gaza.

I heard an interview on NPR this morning, and the person being interviewed made a comment that has stuck with me (sorry, I did not hear the name). He was talking about whether Israel’s thumbing their nose at the Biden Administration could lead to the US refusing to use its UN veto to protect Israel, and he said that while that was possible Netanyahu doesn’t care because he is the one with all the power now.

So in effect Netanyahu thinks the US will just to continue sending them bombs and military equipment to obliterate Gaza and he can continue murdering Palestinian women and children at will, and there’s nothing the US—or any other country—can do to stop him if he chooses to murder every Palestinian in Gaza and the West Bank. In a way, he’s right because no nation will launch a war against Israel. There is nothing stopping Netanyahu from total genocide, including the people of Israel. He is Trump on steroids.

[comradebillyboy]

4. Israel's economy is very dependent on exports. If its trading

partners apply sufficient economic pressure I would expect a substantial change in behavior. But not while Bibi is in office.

[Butterflylady]

5. Many here say that's not true....that it's genocide.

Ok then, please tell me what it is? I've asked that question many times and got no answers. All anyone says is its about October 7. Yes that started the war but that is not what is going now. So please tell me if it's not genocide what is it. Why must innocent children die?

[maxsolomon]

6. Israeli ministers talk a lot of hyperbolic shit. Many of them are religious/nationalist fanatics.

Regardless, there will not be a "total genocide" of Gaza. The IDF is not going to kill 2,300,000 people.

To me, this feels very close to the end of the Gaza offensive, as the public signals the Biden Admin is giving Netanyahu are likely blaring alarm bells in private.

[Basic LA]

7. Extermination of the indigenous people...

...was a common practice for conquerors of old. But it's not playing well in our video age, even when the aggrieved Occupiers--despite their vastly overwhelming military power-- continue to play the victim.

[maxsolomon]

8. Were the dead of 10/7 victims?

Or were they oppressors?

[Basic LA]

9. They, too, were victims of the Occupation

and brutal Displacement. Both sides have suffered horribly. But the scale of the ongoing Collective Punishment has horrified the world, especially Israel's friends. It's gone beyond righteous rage now. It's become something even darker.

[maxsolomon]

10. The Kibbutzim and EDM Festival dead

were victims of brutal displacement? Like, the Nakba?

[Basic LA]

11. The initial Displacement & Occupation

triggered the series of reprisals & counter-offensives that continue, nauseatingly, to the present day. This circle of vengeance drives both sides to the grave. Cooler heads need to step in. Solutions other than bombing hospitals & slaughtering concert-goers need to be considered. Quickly.