Thread 2 To think Hamas have given Israel the excuse they were looking for?

If any of you are on instagram you should follow Motaz azaiza. He is a journalist who records live from the ground. Although you have to have quite a strong stomach to view his stories, especially with the children but it shows a real time picture of day to day life in Gaza during this conflict. And one of the reasons why I am so passionate for a ceasefire

Latest update on death toll.
Hamas-run health ministry says more than 700 killed in past 24 hoursThe Hamas-run ministry of health in Gaza has issued an update, saying at least 5,791 people have been killed in Gaza since 7 October.
That's an increase of more then 700 on the figure announced yesterday.
Israel says its air strikes hit more than 400 targets in Gaza in the past day - it says it's targeting Hamas infrastructure.

The footage of Yocheved Lifschitz touching the masked man's arm was extremely moving. That gesture of humanity in the midst of all the horror and death and hatred.

I'm starting to wonder (and I'm absolutely not cheerleading or excusing Hamas here) if things went a bit rogue on the 7th of October and what happened wasn't part of the original plan? But then the kibbutz footage does show armed men clearly intent on shooting people not capturing them so who knows.

True,@beachcitygirl.
On top of that, Hammas has been in power for 16 years, and it's all many young Gazans have ever known. Politics have badly served the Palestinians - either they are corrupt (like the PLO) or terrorists (like Hammas). I have not heard of a third, viable option.

I only managed to watch parts of it but read the updates on the BBC and guardian thread on the rest so I'm not sure

Was that the Today programme between 8 and 9 this morning? After the daughter, they talked to a man but I didn't catch everything he said, but I know I felt that maybe there is some hope, with people making those kinds of noises in the world. I felt that in a way it was a payback from the BBC to the world for the almost-lack-of-hope which the news pictures have given us for so many days.

I do think that Hamas operate like gangsters, from various sources I've read. There was someone quite informative on another thread, I'm sorry I can't remember which one.

So it's not just the Israelis oppressing them.

Might be wrong but think it's based on the idea that Hamas is the government in Gaza so everyone -all doctors and nurses porters, laundry staff ward cleaners, teachers, street cleaners, tourism board etc etc is employed by Hamas

Though can't really see them employing anyone other than their mates

It was on the "I'm not saying I'm pro Israel..." thread.

@lavender2023 can you enlighten?

Wouldn't everyone here do what Hamas said if they had a gun in your face ?

I would

I don't think that means they are Hamas supporters.

Although of course presumably a minority of Palestinians will be. Figures unknown but definitely a minority as over half of Palestinians are kids.

I get that, but what if their dad is Hamas?

Don't get me wrong, I don't want Israel to be bombing the fuck out of Gaza. I want these horrors to end immediately.

I just think that Israel's stated goal of targeting Hamas is (a) understandable and (b) impossible.

I see a few people have mentioned that you need to be a hamas supporter to get a job in Gaza. Do you know what they source for that is?

920000 are under 10 years of age so that might be a start?

But honestly, how can they begin to differentiate the "civilian population" when apparently you have to be a Hamas supporter to even get a job in Gaza?

Extraordinary, @Parkingt111 .
That sort of response gives hope in a sea of hatred.

Beautiful lady ❤️

Very powerful words by the freed hostage Yocheved Lifschitz that I am sure many of us can resonate with. What a strong amazing woman she is to call for peace despite what she has been through

In the UK, her daughter, Sharone Lifschitz told the BBC: “She is very sharp and is very keen to share the information, pass on the information to families of other hostages she was with.”
She said she and her mother still dreamed of peace with Palestinians, arguing: “We have to find ways because there is no alternative. If anything, it makes me even more resolved. The way has got longer – we are dealing with grief and loss on a level we can never get over, but as nations we will have to find a way forward.”

They won't be removed if there is nothing against talk guidelines.
Ones I've reported in the past that were removed were islamophobic, racist or obvious hate speech. There have been opinions I've very much disagreed with, but of course not reported. MNHQ are generally quite on the ball with it.

It has to work both ways. I have also reported a couple.

If that's going to be the case, then the inflammatory posts should be removed. I've reported one, at least.

They must have contravened talk guidelines. I had notification this morning that a couple I reported last night had only just been removed. I imagine MNHQ have their hands full.

@Wonkasworld I agree

@TheABC agree with much of what you say

Unfortunately Port Gaza the only deep-water port was destroyed by Israel some years ago

From photos it looks like the rest of the coastline is flat sandy beaches so not ideal for landing large quantities of aid

There is an airport in Egypt just 45Km from the Rafah crossing which seems to be the best way of getting international aid into Gaza

A lot of posts being deleted. Hmmm.

We do. Maybe we need to tread carefully around each other a bit more as there is a lot of hurt.

And whilst we all likely find it incredibly hard I’m mindful that I am just posting on mn, and that real pain is happening in Israel and Gaza, and for everyone it is so sad and awful.

What I’ve read on here in terms of Hamas acts have been truly horrific. I’m not pro escalation though. The opposite. Each time I hear de escalation I think tg