UN: Israeli strikes on Palestinian homes could breach laws of war

[Jefferson23]

GENEVA (AFP) -- Israel could be violating the laws of war by bombing Palestinian homes in Gaza, the UN's human rights office said Friday, as the death toll from the Israeli strikes rose to over 100.

"We have received disturbing reports that many of the civilian casualties, including of children, occurred as a result of strikes on homes," said spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani.

"Such reports raise doubts about whether the Israeli air strikes have been in accordance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law," she told reporters.

International humanitarian law is UN-speak for the laws of war, and Shamdasani said targeting homes was a violation unless the buildings were being used for military purposes.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=712109

[alsame]

1. "No international pressure

will prevent Israel from continuing its operation in Gaza"

Netanyahu said that Israel's strikes in Gaza will continue until quiet is restored to the citizens of Israel. "No international pressure will prevent Israel from continuing its operation in Gaza," he added.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.604437

[TexasProgresive]

3. Israel has never paid attention to anything the UN does. n/t

[Fred Sanders]

26. Who needs the UN when the military might of America is behind you? Moocher nation.

[yeoman6987]

27. US staying out of this is good

As with Iraq, let them fight their own war. I doubt very much Israel cares what the UN has to say.

[shira]

2. Israel haters who want the war to end need to pressure Hamas to stop.

Hamas is more likely to listen to them than to the Zionists.

As it is, Israel haters believe Hamas is justified and has a right to keep launching rockets. So long as they believe that, they won't do anything to pressure Hamas to stop. It's the reason they won't condemn Hamas in the strongest terms. That being said, they have no right to bitch about Palestinian casualties since they know what will result (more Palestinians dead) when Hamas acts on their "right" to bomb Israelis.

Quit justifying Hamas' right to shoot rockets. This just feeds the beast & tells them they have the support they need to keep going.

Try saving some Palestinian lives rather than covering for Hamas. Let them know they need to stop.

Now that would be pro-Palestinian.

[Jefferson23]

4. The UN is helping Hamas? The other day it was the media, except for Jewish media, you told me

was assisting Hamas.

[shira]

5. First, let's define an Israel hater. They believe Hamas is justified & has a right…..

…to declare war (via suicide bombing or rockets) on all Israeli civilians.

Agreed?

We can move on from there.

[Jefferson23]

10. You don't need me, go ahead and define one and identify them. Who are these people? n/t

[shira]

12. To move on, we need to at least agree on this one...

People who support the "right" of others to attack innocent Canadians, Egyptians, or Vietnamese are themselves haters of Canadians, Egyptians, and Vietnamese.

Agree?

If so, what's the difference if the targets are innocent Israelis?

[Jefferson23]

13. Who are these people, what have they said and done..define an Israeli-hater.

Should be easy to do, no? Maybe just one person you can identify.

I ask because I have not read about anyone who fits your description.

[shira]

14. Here are 2 articles from Mondoweiss...

One that's recent from the past few hours:
http://mondoweiss.net/2014/07/palestinian-rockets-conversation.html

One that's older:
http://mondoweiss.net/2011/04/lawyer-at-counterpunch-validates-palestinian-right-of-armed-resistance-to-occupation.html

They're not arguing armed resistance against the IDF being legitimate. They're arguing the rockets are legitimate.

[Jefferson23]

15. I only read the first one, so far. So where in the OP do you find support for your claim?

[shira]

16. The whole article defends Hamas' use of rockets. Commenters agree....

The author even compared Hamas' terror to that of the Irgun and argues not to hold Palestinians to a higher standard than the terrorists of Irgun.

[Jefferson23]

17. As I said, I read it. I'm not interested in the comments. I asked you to point out which words

and or snips support your claim.

I wasn't asking you your interpretation, the authors words.

[shira]

19. I identified 3 people who believe Hamas rockets R legit

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1134&pid=66657

It was just a few days ago.

You fled the scene.

And if by some chance you respond to this, you'll deny that all 3 stated Hamas rockets constitute legit or justified resistance.

[Jefferson23]

20. You received a reply, you did not like it, as all. n/t

[shira]

21. Not to Silverstein or Derfner. Don't run away. n/t

[Jefferson23]

22. Yea, you did. Why you believe repeating yourself helps your cause, I have no idea. n/t

[shira]

23. Yes or No: Silverstein & Derfner legitimized/justified Hamas terror.

I never saw you answer this.

If you did, kindly answer Yes or No now, or point me to the exact post.

[Jefferson23]

24. Orders from you? Go look it up. Why you trot out these silly questions is for the purpose

of derailing threads. Asked and answered previously.

[Scootaloo]

18. Pointing out that dead civilians don't stop rockets is "denying Israel's right to self-defense," too

You've got a live one there.

[cali]

25. You are at it again. it's disgusting. thinly veiled accusation that all DUers

who criticize Israel in this mess, are "haters". You should go look in the mirror, but you're vision is so blurred by your own, er, biases, that you wouldn't see what is obvious.

Quit justifying Israel's massive overkill and policies of oppression.

[Purveyor]

6. Bastard States could care less about International law including the one in

which I reside.

[shira]

7. Do you care about International Law when it comes to Hamas aggression…..

….in the form of rockets vs civilians?

Since you brought it up...

Is Hamas justified in their right to defend themselves by attacking civilians & nuclear installations?

[Purveyor]

8. Yes. It is impossible, just as the israelis will tell you, to target only military

installations in such a densely packed population.

[shira]

9. Yes? Meaning you believe Hamas has a right to attack civilians? n/t

[Jefferson23]

11. Wrong, they grab onto the noose when it serves them. In this case it doesn't.