"You can't go around destroying civilian property" — well, on October 7th we saw that not only can it happen, but Hamas proudly did it. Homes were burned, families were slaughtered, and communities were destroyed, not as collateral, but as the goal.
Unlike that, the IDF does not have a policy of targeting civilians or property. When individual soldiers cross the line, they must and do face punishment, as any moral army should enforce.
As for the idea of “collective punishment”: what exactly do you think war is? War is a tragedy, and when terror groups operate from within civilian populations, the entire society bears consequences, especially when those societies celebrate or tolerate such violence.
If you don’t want war, raise children to seek peace. Not hatred. Not martyrdom. Raise them to build, not to destroy. That’s the only path to a better future.
Decisions and consequences.
I condemn Hamas, and the October 7th attack was a terrorist attack. I have no issue stating that clearly—it is what I believe. But must every critic preface their views with this disclaimer? It’s becoming a litmus test, a way to silence dissent before it can even speak. I now more fully understand why many Israelis do not condemn the actions of their government or the IDF. There is a siege mentality—an entrenched worldview that it’s “us or them,” and that October 7th was the final straw. But to those outside that mindset, the refusal to acknowledge what is being done to Palestinians is horrifying. Let me be clear: the mass killing of Palestinians, Israeli terrorist attacks in the West Bank, the execution and burial of paramedics, the targeting of civilians, and the rhetoric of dehumanization—these are not disputed acts. These are documented horrors.
Multiple ambulances were found buried in sand in southern Gaza, with executed medics inside—shot and dumped in mass graves. Snipers have targeted children and medics with precise headshots, according to international surgeons and Gaza health authorities. British surgeon Nizam Mamode confirmed seeing head wounds consistent with sniper fire—on children. Other medical workers, clearly marked, were also shot. Israeli tanks shelled crowds waiting for food in Khan Younis, killing dozens and injuring hundreds. Eyewitnesses describe it as a massacre, not an accident. Prisoners, including women, have reported rape and abuse by prison guards. When some of these guards were arrested, a segment of the Israeli public protested—not in outrage over the crimes, but in support of the perpetrators, arguing that they should be allowed to treat prisoners however they want.
This is not just about military operations. This is about a culture of impunity, disregard for life, and dehumanization. After October 7th, Israel didn’t just respond—it demolished Gaza. Homes were destroyed. Families slaughtered. Communities erased. Not as tragic collateral—but seemingly, as the objective. The IDF claims it targets only objectives, not civilians. Yet so many—including myself—have questioned whether Palestinians are even seen as civilians anymore. But the deeper truth may be this: the Israeli government does not care. That’s the root of the problem. The IDF is tasked with executing this vision, often behaving as if civilians and civilian infrastructure do not exist. When individual soldiers commit rape, torture, or destruction for its own sake, they must face consequences—as any moral army demands, but too often things swept under the sand.
As for collective punishment: when terror groups operate within civilian areas, it is undeniably difficult to fight them. But when the occupying force itself is brutal—and when it supports extremist settlers and promotes instability in places like the West Bank (nevermind what is also happening in Gaza) —the whole population is made to suffer. If you want peace, raise children to seek peace. Not hatred.
This post was edited by ferdia on Jul 4 2025 02:38am