A famine has been declared in Gaza city

[SaltAirAndTheRust]

https://news.sky.com/story/gaza-latest-war-israel-city-ceasefire-hamas-13415481

Meanwhile, up to 80,000 troops are being prepared to start an offensive there. There are no longer any words

We should be clear that supporting is not the same as excusing though obv.

Because nobody here supports proscribed terrorists, that would be illegal.

I think civilian death in any war is horrible and it would be great too live in a world without war...

However......as war is a constant in humanity we have a duty to not be subdued by propaganda from any side and Hamas, who can't wage a military campaign and can't repeat October 7th, are now waging a propaganda war and to my mind some in the western media are falling for it.

The images coming from Gaza must be partially monitored by Hamas as we see no armed militia and we know there must be. A piece I read states there were 30K Hamas fighters is Gaza city strategically placed for defence with a host of IEDs.....where are the pictures of these?

It is well documented that journalists is Gaza face a dual threat - both from Israel and from Hamas themselves. That’s why there has been calls for international journalists to be let in.

I find it very hard to believe that there are 30k Hamas fighters in Gaza city. But anyway.

I’d call anyone out for joking on posts about famine but I can’t police this place 24/7. I’m amazed you and @SharonEllis don’t see the insensitivity.

So joking on a thread discussing something very serious as upsetting like famine isn’t okay.

It’s not what you or I didn’t discuss. It the fact you think it’s okay to joke on a thread about famine. It’s insensitive.

You're singling out this particular thread. You've clearly not been around the board much.

Good point. 👍

I don't think anyone is asking you to police the site at all. There is nothing insensitive about having a joke about some of the frankly bonkers things that get said here. Its so British to be so sensitive. Out in the rest of the world you'll find humour in the darkest of situations is pretty common and to be applauded. Frankly if I didn't laugh I would cry at some of the stuff I read here. I think if you really wanted to honour the victims of this dreadful war a slightly higher level of debate all round would be appropriate.

Anyway, I thought you wanted to talk about famine, yet you seem to be derailing again with personal stuff.

Honestly, the inability to just apologise is incredible.

Because you joked on this thread… I’m singling out your posts on this thread. I’m specifically saying that next time you want to joke around about the various beverages you can enjoy in your comfortable home, find a more appropriate forum.

We need evidence of systemic stealing of aid. Because it would need to be systemic in order for Hamas to be able to control the flow of food to the point of bringing about a famine.

Who should I apologise to? What on earth are you talking about. We have to wade through holocaust inversion, racism, and all sorts of shit on this board that never sees an apology. This all started with someone saying someone else had whipped people into a froth, fgs. The same person who accused me of endorsing starving children. But a few lighthearted comments about hot chocolate, not even joking about famine, require an apology. A bit of perspective, please!

I don't think appropriateness applies to 95 per cent of threads, on this board. If we were taking it seriously, asking for proof that terrorists are committing war crimes, would be ill advised. As it stands, the echo chamber allows for some manoeuvre.

Always evidence is required, when dealing with a bunch of psychopaths, who tried to decapitate a farmer with a garden hoe. 🙄

Whatever evidence I provide it wouldn’t be enough.

Answer me a question: you surely acknowledge that Hamas have millions of dollars. You surely acknowledge that Hamas leaders live luxury lifestyles in the Middle East (I’ll help you out by providing a link: https://nypost.com/2023/11/07/news/hamas-leaders-worth-11bn-live-luxury-lives-in-qatar/)

So, Hamas has the wealth and ability to end the famine tomorrow if it chose to. It could actually help the Palestinian people rather than continue to cause suffering. But it doesn’t. No - it’s all Israel’s responsibility. Don’t you think that’s mad?

Oh well, I guess posting a pic of a cup of black coffee is way more offensive than denying that what happened on 7th October was a war crime. Even when it's been universally recognised, as such. Smh.

Well yes evidence would be required: because thousands of children who are completely innocent of anything are being starved to death.

What happened on Oct 7th is a war crime. That is very straightforward . But it doesn’t justify what’s happening now.

Your coffee cup is less offensive than both of those things but still not great, on a thread about a famine,

Some of the posts on this thread discussing a people suffering are famine are highly insensitive.

Why would you think it's appropriate to make jokes amongst yourselves on a thread like this?

Well because it's so easy to believe Hamas would want their people fed, and not appear starved, so westerners would lap up the propaganda. Oppressing and controlling them on the one hand, while making sure they food reached them, on the other.

There really is not.

The Israeli government and the IDF are hell bent on genocide despite diminishing support from allies.

We've already done this and my offending cup of coffee has been deleted.

Thank God most people in real life are appalled and disgusted by the Israeli government's continuous genocidal assault. They are a disgrace to humanity.

I’ve said what happened on7/10 could legally be tried as a war crime as it fits the criteria. Even a genocide. I’ve called out Islamophobia and antisemitism on here. I’m also happy to gently remind people that this is perhaps not the best place to makes jokes. Not everyone is ready to do that a day after a famine has been declared. I wouldn’t have joked around on 8/10 on threads - surely you see there’s a time and a place for humour.

But let’s move on. Are you ready to discuss Smotrich and the quotes he made which form part of the accusations of genocide.

I discussed him elsewhere. Go look.