Death Foretold: The inevitable outcome of bombing homes and inhabited and areas in Gaza

[Jefferson23]

From 8 July 2014, when the recent bout of fighting in Gaza began, through 10 August 2014, at least 1,767 residents of the Gaza Strips were killed. This according to initial figures B'Tselem collected in the course of the fighting. This number includes 431 individuals under the age of 18 (including one of whom it is known that he took part in the hostilities); 200 women under the age of 60; and 85men and women over 60.

To the best of B'Tselem's knowledge, at least 70 residential buildings were bombed or shelled, with three or more relatives from a single family killed in each case. A total of 542 persons, mostly minors and women, were killed in these 70 homes: 242 minors; 126 women under the age of 60; and 25 men and women over 60.

Airstrikes on homes formed a major part of the policy implemented by the Israeli military from the start of this bout of fighting in Gaza. The scope of these airstrikes as well as the length of time that they persisted indicate that they were likely authorized by senior military and political officials, and were also granted advance sanction by the Military Advocate General Corps and the Ministry of Justice.

As part of that policy, homes were bombed every day, more and more civilians were killed and entire families were obliterated. Even compared to previous bouts of fighting in Gaza, the number and frequency of incidents this time around was unusually high, with many people killed each time, mostly civilians who did not take part in the hostilities. For instance, on 20 July 2014 an airstrike on a building in Bani Suheila – a neighborhood northeast of Khan Yunis – killed 26 people from the Abu Jame' family, including 19 minors and five women; the bombing of a residential buildings on 26 July 2014 killed 20 members of the a-Najar family, including 12 minors, six women, and a 60-year-old man; an airstrike on an apartment building in Khan Yunis on 29 July 2014 killed 35 people from four families – including 18 minors and eight women.

Nevertheless, to date – either during the fighting or subsequently – no official Israeli authority has troubled to offer an explanation for so many civilian fatalities, except with regard to a few cases in which an explanation was demanded by international bodies. It may be that the government and military consider these results reasonable and proportionate, or perhaps they see no need to explain to the public how and why so many people were killed in Gaza. Be that as it may, their silence implies that such extensive harm to civilians is seen as legitimate.

http://www.btselem.org/gaza_strip/20140811_a_death_foretold

[kjones]

1. ...

[azurnoir]

2. it seems the attitude is what's anyone going to do about it?

and Israel can count on the US for protection

[Jefferson23]

3. Yes.

I have read some speculation where the US will protect Israel as long as they
accept the Kerry plan. What that pressure will look like is anyone's guess,
what their reaction will be is something else... consider Obama's
recent interview with Friedman for hints.

Bemildred posted an OP today about Britain and licensing and the EU may collectively
go along those lines too. Israel still has to deal with what the report will
find, and there will be numerous reports generated just like after OCL. Israel will try
and control the narrative and we don't know what Abbas will do with any legal opportunities
those reports may bring. There will undoubtedly be many complaints about the cost
of rebuilding..they are saying an international community will need to pay for this
destruction which is estimated at 5 billion dollars..so pressure can come from that
route too. Bibi is already making concessions it seems with his crazy cabinet, how successful
he'll be is unknown.

*Government announces findings of review of licensed exports to Israel

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-findings-of-review-of-licensed-exports-to-israel

[Violet_Crumble]

4. Thanks for posting this. I'd just read it at B'Tselem...

I don't know how anyone can even begin to attempt to justify this. It's horrendous...