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Non sequitur. No one said that they were. Grok weighs in:
Posted on: June 17, 2025 at 16:53:33 CT
JeffB MU
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The question of whether Israel has deliberately targeted civilians in Gaza is highly contentious and complex, involving competing narratives, legal interpretations, and fragmented evidence. Below, I outline the key evidence and arguments presented by various sources, primarily from reports by human rights organizations, UN bodies, and media investigations, while also noting counterarguments from Israeli authorities and others. I aim to provide a clear, balanced, and concise summary, focusing on the most relevant and recent information available, with citations where applicable.
Evidence Suggesting Israel Targeted Civilians in Gaza
High Civilian Casualty Figures and Disproportionate Impact:
Gaza Health Ministry Data: As of June 2025, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reports over 54,000 Palestinians killed and 125,000 wounded since October 7, 2023, with a significant proportion being women and children (approximately 59.1% according to a January 2025 Lancet analysis). These figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians, but the high number of non-combatant deaths raises concerns about targeting practices.
Specific Incidents: Reports document strikes on civilian infrastructure, such as homes, schools, and hospitals, with significant civilian casualties. For example:
An October 31, 2023, airstrike on the Engineers’ Building in central Gaza killed 106 civilians, including 54 children, with Human Rights Watch finding no evidence of a military target nearby, suggesting an unlawfully indiscriminate attack.
A strike on April 20, 2024, in Rafah killed 16 children and three generations of the Abdelal family, with Amnesty International finding no evidence of military targets.
A May 25, 2025, strike on Fahmi Al-Jargawi School, a shelter for displaced people, killed at least 35, including children, with the IDF claiming it targeted a Hamas command center but providing no evidence.
Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure:
Hospitals and Medical Facilities: The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (October 2024) found that Israel deliberately targeted Gaza’s healthcare system, including attacks on hospitals like Al-Shifa, where 32 patients, including three newborns, died during a November 2023 raid. A Washington Post investigation found insufficient evidence to support Israel’s claim that Al-Shifa was a Hamas command center.
Schools and Shelters: At least six school buildings used as civilian shelters were struck in recent months, killing over 120 people. The Guardian reported a loosening of IDF controls on targeting Hamas operatives in areas with large civilian presence, suggesting a strategy prioritizing military objectives over civilian safety.
Cultural and Religious Sites: Over half of Gaza’s religious and cultural sites, including mosques, have been destroyed, often without evidence of military necessity, according to a UN report (June 2025).
Use of Large-Scale Munitions in Populated Areas:
A New York Times investigation (December 2023) identified 208 craters from 2,000-pound bombs in southern Gaza, areas Israel designated as safe for civilians. These bombs, rarely used by the U.S. in densely populated areas, caused significant civilian casualties, with one strike in Khan Younis killing over a dozen people.
Amnesty International and others argue that the use of such heavy munitions in densely populated areas indicates a failure to distinguish between military and civilian targets, constituting indiscriminate attacks, which are war crimes.
Starvation and Blockade Policies:
Human Rights Watch (December 2023) documented Israel’s deliberate restriction of food, water, fuel, and humanitarian aid to Gaza, with statements from officials like Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (“no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel”) indicating intent to impose collective punishment, a war crime.
The World Food Program and Oxfam reported severe hunger and a risk of famine, with 48% of households in northern Gaza experiencing severe hunger by December 2023. The UN rejected Israel’s claims that Hamas diverted aid, finding no evidence to support this.
Allegations of Genocide and Intent:
Amnesty International’s December 2024 report concluded that Israel’s actions, including relentless attacks and aid restrictions, meet the criteria for genocide under the Genocide Convention, citing intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza through killings, bodily harm, and conditions leading to physical destruction.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is reviewing allegations of genocide, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Reports of Indiscriminate Attacks and Kill Zones:
Haaretz reported that Israeli forces created “kill zones” in Gaza, targeting anyone entering certain areas, regardless of civilian status.
A +972 Magazine investigation (November 2023) revealed that the IDF expanded authorization for bombing non-military targets and used AI-based tools to target areas despite knowing civilians remained, contributing to mass civilian casualties.
Incidents Near Aid Distribution Sites:
In June 2025, multiple incidents near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid sites in Rafah resulted in dozens of civilian deaths. The Gaza Health Ministry reported 27 killed on June 3, 2025, with witnesses and doctors noting gunshot wounds to children’s heads and chests. The IDF claimed these were warning shots fired at “suspects” but denied targeting civilians. Testimonies from survivors and an IDF officer suggested gunfire was used to “direct the population,” raising concerns about deliberate targeting.
Counterarguments and Israeli Perspective
IDF Claims of Targeting Hamas:
The Israeli military consistently states it targets only Hamas and other armed groups, not civilians, and accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields by embedding military infrastructure in populated areas, such as schools and hospitals.
For example, in the Fahmi Al-Jargawi School strike, the IDF claimed it targeted a Hamas and Islamic Jihad command center, though it provided no evidence to substantiate this.
The IDF denies firing on civilians near aid sites, asserting that warning shots were fired at suspects posing threats to troops, not at civilians seeking aid.
Evacuation Warnings and Efforts to Minimize Harm:
Israel claims it takes steps to avoid civilian casualties, such as issuing evacuation orders and warning civilians before strikes via phone calls or leaflets.
However, investigations by CNN, The New York Times, and Sky News found that Israel bombed areas it designated as safe, with chaotic and contradictory evacuation orders, undermining claims of civilian protection.
Challenges of Urban Warfare:
Israel argues that the high civilian toll is due to Hamas’s tactic of operating within civilian areas, making it difficult to avoid collateral damage. The IDF claims nearly every building in Gaza is used for terror purposes, justifying widespread destruction.
Critics counter that the presence of militants does not absolve Israel of its obligation under international law to take precautions to spare civilians and avoid disproportionate attacks.
Disputing Casualty Figures:
Israeli officials, such as Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, have called Gaza Health Ministry casualty figures “exaggerated” and influenced by Hamas propaganda, though they rarely provide alternative figures or evidence.
A Lancet analysis suggests official figures may underreport deaths, estimating up to 186,000 total deaths when including indirect causes like starvation and lack of healthcare.
Critical Analysis and Limitations
Lack of Definitive Evidence of Intent: While high civilian casualties, statements from Israeli officials, and attacks on civilian infrastructure suggest possible intent to target civilians, proving deliberate targeting under international law requires clear evidence of intent, which is often circumstantial. Amnesty International and the UN argue that patterns of attacks and policies like starvation indicate intent, but Israel disputes this, citing military necessity.
Fog of War and Verification Challenges: The lack of access for international journalists and investigators to Gaza, coupled with the destruction of infrastructure, makes verifying claims difficult. The IDF’s refusal to provide detailed evidence for many strikes further clouds accountability.
Hamas’s Role: Hamas’s use of civilian areas for military purposes complicates the picture, though international law still requires Israel to prioritize civilian safety. The absence of evidence for military targets in many strikes undermines Israel’s claims.
Bias in Sources: Some reports, like those from Amnesty International and the UN, are criticized by Israel as biased, while Hamas-run sources may inflate or manipulate casualty figures. Independent verification is often lacking.
Conclusion
Evidence from human rights organizations, UN reports, and media investigations points to a pattern of Israeli attacks in Gaza causing significant civilian casualties, often without clear military targets, using heavy munitions in densely populated areas, and imposing policies like blockades that constitute collective punishment. These actions have been labeled as war crimes and, in some cases, genocide by groups like Amnesty International and the UN, supported by specific incidents like the Engineers’ Building strike and attacks on schools and hospitals. However, Israel denies deliberately targeting civilians, asserting that it focuses on Hamas, which it accuses of using human shields, and claims efforts to minimize civilian harm through warnings and evacuations. The lack of transparent evidence from both sides, combined with the challenges of urban warfare and restricted access to Gaza, makes definitive conclusions difficult, but the scale of civilian harm and repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure raise serious concerns under international humanitarian law.
If you’d like me to dive deeper into a specific incident, legal framework, or counterargument, let me know!
The question of whether Israel has deliberately targeted civilians in Gaza is highly contentious and complex, involving competing narratives, legal interpretations, and fragmented evidence. Below, I outline the key evidence and arguments presented by various sources, primarily from reports by human rights organizations, UN bodies, and media investigations, while also noting counterarguments from Israeli authorities and others. I aim to provide a clear, balanced, and concise summary, focusing on the most relevant and recent information available, with citations where applicable.
Evidence Suggesting Israel Targeted Civilians in Gaza
High Civilian Casualty Figures and Disproportionate Impact:
Gaza Health Ministry Data: As of June 2025, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reports over 54,000 Palestinians killed and 125,000 wounded since October 7, 2023, with a significant proportion being women and children (approximately 59.1% according to a January 2025 Lancet analysis). These figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians, but the high number of non-combatant deaths raises concerns about targeting practices.
Specific Incidents: Reports document strikes on civilian infrastructure, such as homes, schools, and hospitals, with significant civilian casualties. For example:
An October 31, 2023, airstrike on the Engineers’ Building in central Gaza killed 106 civilians, including 54 children, with Human Rights Watch finding no evidence of a military target nearby, suggesting an unlawfully indiscriminate attack.
A strike on April 20, 2024, in Rafah killed 16 children and three generations of the Abdelal family, with Amnesty International finding no evidence of military targets.
A May 25, 2025, strike on Fahmi Al-Jargawi School, a shelter for displaced people, killed at least 35, including children, with the IDF claiming it targeted a Hamas command center but providing no evidence.
Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure:
Hospitals and Medical Facilities: The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (October 2024) found that Israel deliberately targeted Gaza’s healthcare system, including attacks on hospitals like Al-Shifa, where 32 patients, including three newborns, died during a November 2023 raid. A Washington Post investigation found insufficient evidence to support Israel’s claim that Al-Shifa was a Hamas command center.
Schools and Shelters: At least six school buildings used as civilian shelters were struck in recent months, killing over 120 people. The Guardian reported a loosening of IDF controls on targeting Hamas operatives in areas with large civilian presence, suggesting a strategy prioritizing military objectives over civilian safety.
Cultural and Religious Sites: Over half of Gaza’s religious and cultural sites, including mosques, have been destroyed, often without evidence of military necessity, according to a UN report (June 2025).
Use of Large-Scale Munitions in Populated Areas:
A New York Times investigation (December 2023) identified 208 craters from 2,000-pound bombs in southern Gaza, areas Israel designated as safe for civilians. These bombs, rarely used by the U.S. in densely populated areas, caused significant civilian casualties, with one strike in Khan Younis killing over a dozen people.
Amnesty International and others argue that the use of such heavy munitions in densely populated areas indicates a failure to distinguish between military and civilian targets, constituting indiscriminate attacks, which are war crimes.
Starvation and Blockade Policies:
Human Rights Watch (December 2023) documented Israel’s deliberate restriction of food, water, fuel, and humanitarian aid to Gaza, with statements from officials like Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (“no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel”) indicating intent to impose collective punishment, a war crime.
The World Food Program and Oxfam reported severe hunger and a risk of famine, with 48% of households in northern Gaza experiencing severe hunger by December 2023. The UN rejected Israel’s claims that Hamas diverted aid, finding no evidence to support this.
Allegations of Genocide and Intent:
Amnesty International’s December 2024 report concluded that Israel’s actions, including relentless attacks and aid restrictions, meet the criteria for genocide under the Genocide Convention, citing intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza through killings, bodily harm, and conditions leading to physical destruction.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is reviewing allegations of genocide, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Reports of Indiscriminate Attacks and Kill Zones:
Haaretz reported that Israeli forces created “kill zones” in Gaza, targeting anyone entering certain areas, regardless of civilian status.
A +972 Magazine investigation (November 2023) revealed that the IDF expanded authorization for bombing non-military targets and used AI-based tools to target areas despite knowing civilians remained, contributing to mass civilian casualties.
Incidents Near Aid Distribution Sites:
In June 2025, multiple incidents near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid sites in Rafah resulted in dozens of civilian deaths. The Gaza Health Ministry reported 27 killed on June 3, 2025, with witnesses and doctors noting gunshot wounds to children’s heads and chests. The IDF claimed these were warning shots fired at “suspects” but denied targeting civilians. Testimonies from survivors and an IDF officer suggested gunfire was used to “direct the population,” raising concerns about deliberate targeting.
Counterarguments and Israeli Perspective
IDF Claims of Targeting Hamas:
The Israeli military consistently states it targets only Hamas and other armed groups, not civilians, and accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields by embedding military infrastructure in populated areas, such as schools and hospitals.
For example, in the Fahmi Al-Jargawi School strike, the IDF claimed it targeted a Hamas and Islamic Jihad command center, though it provided no evidence to substantiate this.
The IDF denies firing on civilians near aid sites, asserting that warning shots were fired at suspects posing threats to troops, not at civilians seeking aid.
Evacuation Warnings and Efforts to Minimize Harm:
Israel claims it takes steps to avoid civilian casualties, such as issuing evacuation orders and warning civilians before strikes via phone calls or leaflets.
However, investigations by CNN, The New York Times, and Sky News found that Israel bombed areas it designated as safe, with chaotic and contradictory evacuation orders, undermining claims of civilian protection.
Challenges of Urban Warfare:
Israel argues that the high civilian toll is due to Hamas’s tactic of operating within civilian areas, making it difficult to avoid collateral damage. The IDF claims nearly every building in Gaza is used for terror purposes, justifying widespread destruction.
Critics counter that the presence of militants does not absolve Israel of its obligation under international law to take precautions to spare civilians and avoid disproportionate attacks.
Disputing Casualty Figures:
Israeli officials, such as Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, have called Gaza Health Ministry casualty figures “exaggerated” and influenced by Hamas propaganda, though they rarely provide alternative figures or evidence.
A Lancet analysis suggests official figures may underreport deaths, estimating up to 186,000 total deaths when including indirect causes like starvation and lack of healthcare.
Critical Analysis and Limitations
Lack of Definitive Evidence of Intent: While high civilian casualties, statements from Israeli officials, and attacks on civilian infrastructure suggest possible intent to target civilians, proving deliberate targeting under international law requires clear evidence of intent, which is often circumstantial. Amnesty International and the UN argue that patterns of attacks and policies like starvation indicate intent, but Israel disputes this, citing military necessity.
Fog of War and Verification Challenges: The lack of access for international journalists and investigators to Gaza, coupled with the destruction of infrastructure, makes verifying claims difficult. The IDF’s refusal to provide detailed evidence for many strikes further clouds accountability.
Hamas’s Role: Hamas’s use of civilian areas for military purposes complicates the picture, though international law still requires Israel to prioritize civilian safety. The absence of evidence for military targets in many strikes undermines Israel’s claims.
Bias in Sources: Some reports, like those from Amnesty International and the UN, are criticized by Israel as biased, while Hamas-run sources may inflate or manipulate casualty figures. Independent verification is often lacking.
Conclusion
Evidence from human rights organizations, UN reports, and media investigations points to a pattern of Israeli attacks in Gaza causing significant civilian casualties, often without clear military targets, using heavy munitions in densely populated areas, and imposing policies like blockades that constitute collective punishment. These actions have been labeled as war crimes and, in some cases, genocide by groups like Amnesty International and the UN, supported by specific incidents like the Engineers’ Building strike and attacks on schools and hospitals. However, Israel denies deliberately targeting civilians, asserting that it focuses on Hamas, which it accuses of using human shields, and claims efforts to minimize civilian harm through warnings and evacuations. The lack of transparent evidence from both sides, combined with the challenges of urban warfare and restricted access to Gaza, makes definitive conclusions difficult, but the scale of civilian harm and repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure raise serious concerns under international humanitarian law.
If you’d like me to dive deeper into a specific incident, legal framework, or counterargument, let me know!
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Non sequitur. No one said that they were. Grok weighs in: - JeffB MU - 6/17 16:53:33