Israel risks 'strategic defeat' if civilians aren't protected, Pentagon chief says

[nitpicked]

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4339335-lloyd-austin-israel-risks-defeat-if-civilians-not-protected/

Israel risks ‘strategic defeat’ if civilians aren’t protected, Pentagon chief says
BY LAUREN IRWIN - 12/02/23 4:59 PM ET
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Israel risks a “strategic defeat” if it does not work to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza amid its war on militant group Hamas in the region.

“The center of gravity is the civilian population and if you drive them into the arms of the enemy, you replace a tactical victory with a strategic defeat,” Austin said in a speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, Calif., on Saturday.
(snip)

His comments come as U.S. leaders become more vocal in warnings to Israel about the next phase of military operations in Gaza, after a temporary truce expired Friday. The Biden administration has issued caution that a campaign in southern Gaza must be carried out more precisely than Israel did in the first leg of the war.

Austin emphasized that Israel has the duty to respond to terrorist attacks, like the Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel by Hamas that left at least 1,200 Israelis dead. But, he argued, it is crucial for allies to work together to prevent civilian casualties — especially when the conflict is over.
(snip)

[2naSalit]

1. The last thing...

Israel needs is for bibi to piss off the rest of the world to the point nobody wants to help them anymore.

[TeamProg]

4. Too late. Plus, it gives other unfavored nations the gift to say "Look what the U.S. supported!".

Thanks a whole fucking lot Netanyahu voters.

[dutch777]

5. With declining further cease fire negotiations and again getting civilians in the line of fire, I think Israel has...

...crossed the line. I am at the point that I want the US to stop financially supporting either side unless they both commit to a two state solution. I get Bibi's domestic political problem but I don't care to support his bad solution approach any longer. We are risking getting painted with the same brush that Israel is and our terrorist targeting risk goes up the longer we support unbridled over the top IDF approach to eliminating Hamas. I know putting IDF in the tunnels and rubble of Gaza will raise Israeli casualties, but the heavy bombing/shelling is largely ineffective and unfocused, probably killing hostages in those very same tunnels and reducing Gaza to a wasteland than is uninhabitable. The long and end game here is not good for Israel, us or the many innocent civilians caught up in this mess.

[Think. Again.]

2. Maybe a little late...

...for that advice but hopefully it might protect some further innocent civilians.

[The Magistrate]

3. This Is True, Sir

And should one wish to argue against Israeli military conduct, this is the sole argument with any weight.

People who have hardened their hearts to war will already have dismissed the suffering it costs.