@ConnieCounter ,
‘But Israel is committing war crimes every day? This isn't self defence. They're destroying civilian infrastructure and killing tens of thousands of civilians. They can't leave Gaza, they're being starved and denied basic services like sanitation, a safe place to stay, education etc. How is that self-defence?’
Destroying infrastructure isn’t a war crime if the purpose is to get to your enemy. It is , although I hate the term, ‘collateral damage’ and happens in every single war. The question is whether there is too much.
I have been sent articles by military historians saying that the IDF is fighting one of the most targeted and merciful wars given the nature of the terrain and enemy (urban theatre and Hamas using civilians as human shields). They cite the ratio of military to civilian dead and compare it to past battles.
I am not a military expert and I think some of the data they use is dodgy. But, equally, looking at pictures and saying Israel has done a terrible thing denies it true analysis or historical comparison.
My personal opinion (and this is total speculation) is that Israel tried to run a careful and targeted campaign but that some units have committed war crimes and deliberately targeted civilians. I can’t know any of this, though, and nor can anyone on this thread.
As to the lack of food and fuel at the beginning (I think it is getting better now), that does look like a war crime and it should be properly investigated.
Remember, though, Israel answer to the international community and especially the U.S. They know if they go too far, their vital support can be cut off. Hamas answer to no one bar their shady paymasters in Iran for whom the more carnage on both sides the better.