To ask why the only countries that didn't vote for a ceasefire were USA and UK?

[stillholly]

All other countries in the UN voted for a ceasefire.

USA put their hand up and voted against a ceasefire.

UK abstained from voting.

Can anyone explain to me their reasoning for not voting for a ceasefire?

@auberginefortea
exactly.
In the meantime the mass bombing continues.

I think it is majority rules - the resolution passed - but there's no one to enforce it.

What happens after a ceasefire ?
I’m all for one if both sides agree.
Will Hamas promise not to attack Israel again and to back down on its long time declaration to destroy the state of Israel ?
Will Israel agree to remove the encroaching illegal settlements ? Allow independence for a new democratic Palestinian state without forever fearing attacks from extremists ?
Will the Hamas leaders (millionaires allegedly) return from hiding and allow free and fair elections and not just as business as usual ?
I suspect neither party will do any of those things so demands for a ceasefire are absolutely pointless and frankly naive. Hamas could back down, surrender, disband and immediately those thousands of babies and children will not be killed. The ball is in Hamas’ court.

Once again, a proposed amendment to unequivocally reject and condemn the terrorist attacks by Hamas starting Oct 7th and the taking of hostages failed (this time proposed by the US, last time I think by Canada).
84 members voted in favour, 62 voted against. 25 members abstained.

I don't understand the reluctance to include this either unless it is purely pragmatic.

I feel for the families of the Israelis affected.

My feeling is that it's pragmatic

Following quickly on the heels of that amendment would be a 'retaliatory' amendment wanting to include the blockade/occupation etc and so on and so for hours/days/weeks

IDK may be wrong - keeps the resolution short and sweet and doesn't stray into even more contentious territory

I think you are probably right.

I think a bit of empathy could go a long way. By refusing to acknowledge anything it bolsters Israel's claim that their suffering is downplayed and overlooked. I can understand why to an extent but there has to be a middle ground.

I also really refute the Israel doesn't need to worry about the rockets theory. Living under that regime is incredibly stressful whether they are successful or not. Rockets do get through and most Israelis have safe houses and bomb shelters. To say that having some fired at you Is 'neither here nor there' is flippant at best.

Calls for a ceasefire addressed by Israel at UN.

In case anyone hasn’t seen, and would like to read the full text from the UNGA resolution.

Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations
The General Assembly,
Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
Recalling its resolutions regarding the question of Palestine,
Recalling also all relevant Security Councilresolutions,
Taking note of the letter dated 6 December 2023 from the Secretary-General, under Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations, addressed to the President of the Security Council,
Taking note also of the letter dated 7 December 2023 from the CommissionerGeneral of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East addressed to the President of the General Assembly,
Expressing grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population, and emphasizing that the Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law,

1. Demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire;
2. Reiterates its demand that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians;
3. Demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access;
4. Decides to adjourn the tenth emergency special session temporarily and to authorize the President of the General Assembly at its most recent session to resume its meeting upon request from Member States.

Yes and indeed and conveniently overlooked by some posters on here. The UN cannot have it both ways.

But Hamas did start this out of the blue!
And no, Israel did not invite it or "ask for it" due to their "oppressions" and keeping Gazans in"open air prisons".

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231211-survivor-of-kibbutz-beeri-incident-reveals-harrowing-details-of-israeli-forces-assault/amp/

This is interesting. I thought the IDF didn't come for 7-8 hours? There's been widespread speculation that they were on the ground sooner and that they killed/burned their own people because they needed the Hamas kill toll to be horrific to be able to justify this completely insane response in Gaza

Is this poor lady Anti Semetic?

Lies lies lies everywhere you look

Lies lies lies everywhere you look

Well yes quite. I'd say accusing the IDF of a deliberate massacre against Israeli civilians is probably a good example.

Did you listen to what she said? Or are we just going to ignore a Kibbutz' survivors video testimony.

And Hamas are being accused of the exact same. We are being told constantly that they are using their women and children as shields, but yet no one can fathom that that's a lie!!

And Hamas are being accused of the exact same. We are being told constantly that they are using their women and children as shields, but yet no one can fathom that that's a lie!!

In Hamas' case it's clearly true though - not only do they embed themselves deep in civilian infrastructure but there's plenty of evidence of them trying to force civilians to stay in the danger areas though, including shooting them and blowing them up with roadside IEDs.

Anyway, at least your posts prove that the whole "there are no posters that support Hamas" thing is a nonsense.

If you can find one actually credible source that confirms this clearly deeply traumatised woman's testimony, I'd be interested to see it. Not propaganda sites.

Israel completely blameless, both before and after Oct 7? Mmm.

There is a video on it. Watch the video, it's her talking. What more do you want?! There are other news sites that have hosted it also but of course not the ones you're probably used to reading.

Oh and by the way, Israel have a long history of using Palestinians as human shields, so much so that they needed a court to tell them to stop. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2005/oct/07/israel

@SomeCatFromJapan is there anything verified about Hamas shooting civilians trying to leave the north or blowing up and targeting civilians trying to leave with IED's

The only reason I ask is most of the above videos I have seen of the above as alleged proof has been used by both sides accusing each other of attacking civilians yet nothing that 100% verifies one or the other of being the perpetrators

That includes from what I have read on it on MSM

I don't know about Hamas but the IDF were forcing Palestinians to leave their cars and walk when they were trying to move South. Mind you the IDF blew up a car that was trying to reverse way from them on what was supposed to be a "safe road" so ?
Never mind the working horses they have killed.
I suppose it means people couldn't take much with them and I now believe that the IDF would revel in that fact having seen videos they post from Gaza.

@Parkingt111 Not verified on MSM but no worse sources than the ones I was being presented with tbf!
The explosion footage i saw was very clearly an IED not an airstirstrike though, scattered cars and bodies across the road.

@SomeCatFromJapan if its this one then this is what BBC verify said. It doesn't show the full video as far too graphic but shows parts of it.
Hamas accused the IDF of carrying out the strike but this was not proven either

We spoke to several weapons experts but they said it is hard to tell what caused the explosion based on the videos of the aftermath.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67114281.amp

@Parkingt111 well done for finding that, it is probably the one I was referring to. I tend to see a lot of stuff scrolling twitter and it ranges from verified to complete tosh, obviously, plus I can't always remember who posted it.

@Silence1 yes I saw the car one, it was horrific. That was also reported by sky

The driver then appears to spot the tank before turning his vehicle in the road to drive away.
However, after the driver has turned around, the tank opens fire and strikes the car with a shell.
A bright flash of flames is seen coming from the tank as it opens fire before the car disappears in a huge cloud of smoke.

https://news.sky.com/story/israel-hamas-war-footage-from-gaza-shows-tank-firing-at-car-amid-fears-family-were-killed-12996637

I saw a breaking news post on social media about 20,000 people dying in an attack in New York.

Then in smaller writing it said, actually, it wasn't New York. It was Gaza. Asking the person to question their reaction and relief.

It was powerful.

There is now lots of rain and all their tents are leaking and flooding. It's just awful.