Report: Hamas Says Civilian Deaths 'Necessary Sacrifices'
Report: Hamas Says Civilian Deaths 'Necessary Sacrifices'
The Facts
Leaked messages of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar have reportedly shown that soaring Gazan civilian deaths in its war with Israel have worked well for the Palestinian group.
Leaked messages of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar have reportedly shown that soaring Gazan civilian deaths in its war with Israel have given the group an advantage.
The Spin
Hamas' ruthlessness was already evident on Oct. 7. Its continued use of Palestinian civilians as human shields is additional evidence of a vile strategy. Israel, in contrast, rigorously avoids targeting civilians, even in an urban setup. Besides, it also acknowledges and takes responsibility for its mistakes, whereas striking and using civilians is Hamas' modus operandi.
Israel's defenders keep saying it doesn't target civilians, yet the evidence suggests otherwise. Israel is intentionally targeting civilians and areas that have been deemed to be "safe zones," not to mention the blockade that has pushed Gaza toward famine. Besides the fact that the validity of these leaks is always in question, this hypocrisy needs to be called out even when criticizing Hamas' cynical calculations.
