Israeli shells hit Gaza hospital, kill four -medics

[n2doc]

Source: Reuters

An Israeli tank shell hit the third floor of Al-Aqsa hospital in the central Gaza Strip on Monday, killing four people and wounding 16, Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra said.

The spokesman said the third floor housed an intensive care unit and operating theatres. Other shells had fallen around the hospital, he added, with officials calling on the Red Cross to help evacuate patients.

The Israeli military had no immediate comment. In the past it has accused Hamas Islamist militants of firing rockets from the grounds of Gaza hospitals and of seeking refuge in the buildings.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/21/palestinians-israel-hospital-idUSL6N0PW35M20140721

[Fred Sanders]

1. Israel released a statement claiming that hospitals and medical personnel are human shields and

therefore legitimate targets.

Civilian death count is now 500 to 1, at some point the propaganda just collapses under the weight of simple math and simple human compassion.

Having to run to a comfy shelter on occasion does not compare to actually dying, so I heard.
500 to 1 is simple.

[earthside]

2. The perfect rationale for killing anyone.

By adopting and pushing this 'human shield' contention, the IDF is free to kill anyone and destroy anything in Gaza by merely claiming that 'militants' were operating close by.

Outside of those who are eager to accept the propaganda of the Israeli government and the 'Israel can do no wrong' crowd in the U.S., it is plainly obvious that the Netanyahu government is intent upon smashing and killing as many Palestinians in Gaza as they can.

What is Netanyahu's objective? Do you really think it is to stop the ineffective Gazan rocket launches forever? To cause the residents of Gaza to overthrow Hamas?

Indeed, it is likely just the contrary -- to finish-up this round of oppression, then in a year or two, do this all over again with even more force and destruction. Meanwhile, more settlements will be built on Palestinian land, more economic sanctions will further impoverish Gaza and the West Bank, and the PA will become even more impotent and divided.

All for the longterm goal of expelling and/or totally subjugating the indigenous population within greater Israel.

[n2doc]

3. I don't think he wants to kill as many as he can

He wants to inflict maximum terror and misery. Water and sewage systems have been hit. Why else shell a beach in front of journalists and kill children? He has become like his enemy.

I think Israel has two objectives- 1, try to drive as many people out of Gaza as possible, and 2, see if they can break the Gazans will and get them to turn on Hamas.

[earthside]

4. It is terror.

Interestingly, it actually looks like the Netanyahu government would like to round-up Palestinians from other parts of Israel and incarcerate them in Gaza.

Deportation to Gaza could lead Israel to ICC - Jerusalem Post; July 8, 2014

Still, I don't think Netanyahu et al., want Hamas to go away, its existence provides the best rationale for continuing this persecution of non-Jewish indigenous peoples in Israel.

[Fred Sanders]

11. The look in the eyes of Gazans is the look of true sheer terror, no lie.

[awoke_in_2003]

8. +1000. nt

[Fred Sanders]

9. It is to maintain the status quo, time is bought, the prisoners are secured, rioting is inevitable.

[tjl148]

6. Comfy shelters.

Have you been in one? Could you tell me what they are like? I had no idea they were comfy.

[geomon666]

5. Who are the terrorists again?

The line seems to blur when you're bombing hospitals.

[E-Z-B]

7. Hamas has been known to launch attacks from "neutral" areas.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

10. There's a justification for every murder.

[Fred Sanders]

12. And no excuse for the cheerleaders of murder.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

13. They will always find an excuse.

Usually it comes down to victim blaming. Personally I think it has more to do with racism, the lives of brown Palestinians have become less important.

[Fred Sanders]

14. I notice a lot more concern for the white victims of the air tragedy than the brown victims of the

ground tragedy, you are not daring to suggest the media is also racist, are you, sir? The Republican controlled, corporate media surely does not have any kind of agenda, it is not like anyone is pretending corporations are actual real people, are there?

[ForgoTheConsequence]

15. I think all Republicans are racist.

And a significant chunk of white liberals too. The media plays to that racism and pockets millions by setting a narrative and then giving blood thirsty Israel supporters what they want.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

16. Is there any proof that rockets were fired from the hospital?

Video footage? Witnesses? Or is it the case that once upon a time some rockets were fired from a hospital so that makes all hospitals now military targets at all times?

[erodriguez]

17. This needs to end

[link:http://gawker.com/graphic-video-shows-sniper-shooting-a-relief-worker-on-1608373229|

[ManiacJoe]

19. Wrong thread.

Try this one:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025267349

[question everything]

18. It would have helped had the Gazans dug bomb shelters instead of tunnels

through which they try to enter Israel, with tranquilizers and handcuffs, to abduct Israelis.

Had they put the same efforts in building bomb shelters, the innocent civilians would have a place to hide. Just as the Israelis do.

The Israelis use rockets to protect their children; the Gazans use children to protect their rockets.