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Israel/Palestine
In reply to the discussion: Hamas's Civilian Death Strategy [View all]shira
(30,109 posts)11. From Wikipedia
Colonel Richard Kemp, former Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, spoke in 2011 about Israeli operations in the Gaza War. He said that a study published by the United Nations showed "that the ratio of civilian to combatant deaths in Gaza was by far the lowest in any asymmetric conflict in the history of warfare." He stated that this ratio was less than 1:1, and compared it favorably to the estimated ratios in NATO operations in Afghanistan (3:1), western campaigns in Iraq and Kosovo (believed to be 4:1), and the conflicts in Chechnya and Serbia (much higher than 4:1, according to anecdotal evidence). Kemp argued that the low ratio was achieved through unprecedented measures by the IDF to minimize civilian casualties, which included providing warnings to the population via telephone calls, radio broadcasts and leaflets, as well as granting pilots the discretion to abort a strike if they perceived too great a risk of civilian casualties. He also stated that the civilian casualties that did occur could be seen in light of Hamas' tactical use of Gazan civilians "as human shields, to hide behind, to stand between Israeli forces and their own fighters" and strategic use of them for exploitation of their deaths in the media.[51]
The UN estimate that there has been an average three-to-one ratio of civilian to combatant deaths in such conflicts worldwide. Three civilians for every combatant killed.
That is the estimated ratio in Afghanistan: three to one. In Iraq, and in Kosovo, it was worse: the ratio is believed to be four-to-one. Anecdotal evidence suggests the ratios were very much higher in Chechnya and Serbia.
In Gaza, it was less than one-to-one.[52]
The UN estimate that there has been an average three-to-one ratio of civilian to combatant deaths in such conflicts worldwide. Three civilians for every combatant killed.
That is the estimated ratio in Afghanistan: three to one. In Iraq, and in Kosovo, it was worse: the ratio is believed to be four-to-one. Anecdotal evidence suggests the ratios were very much higher in Chechnya and Serbia.
In Gaza, it was less than one-to-one.[52]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_casualty_ratio
The same claims of "massacre" were made in 2008-09 and it led to the Goldstone Report, which was later negated by Richard Goldstone himself. This is what I mean by demonization vs. criticism. It was pure hateful demonization that led to the Goldstone Report. Facts show Israel is more careful than any other country. We're talking 2 completely different realities. I hope you better understand where I'm coming from, because when I see preposterous allegations and horrific accusations here against Israel, I know they're complete bullshit and feel I have to say something...
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Theer you go again, shira. You're up to the same old game of planned disinformation.
R. Daneel Olivaw
Jul 2014
#40
i think the ones putting the kids in harms way and then inviting attack are the guilty ones
samsingh
Jul 2014
#27
So Israel is inviting Palestinian refugees into Israel have I got that right? how many
azurnoir
Jul 2014
#8
Sounds To Me That Innocent People Are Trying To Protect Their Homes Any Way They Can
wellst0nev0ter
Jul 2014
#66
"and allow them to set up shop in your living room as their base of operations."
Fozzledick
Jul 2014
#38
Too bad they can't learn much about proficiency in urban warfare from the IDF...
shaayecanaan
Jul 2014
#42
(Video) Hamas using Palestinians as human shields: We desire Death as you desire Life
shira
Jul 2014
#50
Israel is still doing its best to distinguish b/w civilians and combatants. That's a fact....
shira
Jul 2014
#57