A human rights monitor documented the sniping of at least 13 children in and around Shifa Hospital, all between the ages of 4 and 16.
A human rights monitor documented the sniping of at least 13 children in and around Shifa Hospital, all between the ages of 4 and 16.
I’m not excusing any of their actions, because I’m genuinely horrified by Israel’s conduct, but the IDF is a conscripted military force. Every Israeli, excluding some ultra-orthodox extremists who get a controversial religious exemption, is required to serve a certain amount of time in the military after they turn 18. There are alternative public service options for conscientious objectors, but most 18 year olds end up with a rifle in their hand. That’s pretty fucked up if you ask me.
That means the majority of the soldiers perpetrating these atrocities are basically children themselves. They didn’t join so they could do a genocide, they joined because they had to, and are doing a genocide. I’m sure some of them are sick fuckers who enjoy it, but most are probably just following despicable, immoral, unforgivable orders from superiors. That’s not a justification, just an unfortunate likelihood.
That said, yes, it does seem like they’ve dropped the pretense.
I’d believe that more if they weren’t on Tik Tok laughing and joking about the horrific acts they’re doing, like demolishing whole neighborhoods, destroying hospitals, and killing people.