Biden says reoccupation of Gaza by Israel would be 'big mistake'

[Uncle Joe]

Palestinian children look at the building of the Zanon family, destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Hatem Ali)

President Biden said in a new interview that it would be a “big mistake” if Israel once again occupied Gaza as it fights the militant group Hamas following an attack and subsequent war that has left thousands dead.

“I think it’d be a big mistake,” Biden said when asked by CBS’s Scott Pelley on “60 Minutes” if he would support Israeli occupation of Gaza at this point of the war. Gaza has been under heavy bombardment by Israel, and Israel is expected to launch a ground offensive soon.

“Look, what happened in Gaza, in my view, is Hamas and the extreme elements of Hamas don’t represent all the Palestinian people. And I think that … it would be a mistake … for Israel to occupy … Gaza again,” Biden added. “But going in but taking out the extremists — the Hezbollah is up north but Hamas down south — is a necessary requirement.”

(snip)

The year after Israel withdrew from the territory, Hamas was elected to govern the area. No elections have been held in Gaza since.

(snip)

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4257650-biden-says-occupation-of-gaza-by-israel-is-big-mistake/

[Alexander Of Assyria]

1. Thank you Mr. President. The debate at DU about the...inevitable...invasion, is over? Invasion

isn’t and never was … inevitable!…imminent!….media hype and hope.

A leader just said so.

[Beastly Boy]

2. Maybe not imminent, but certainly necessary and required

“But going in but taking out the extremists — the Hezbollah is up north but Hamas down south — is a necessary requirement.” - President Biden

Thank you, President Biden!

[Jay25]

3. It worked for colonizers.

How do you determine what actions dictates who is an extremist?

[Beastly Boy]

4. In this instance, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine who is an extremist.

But if you still have any doubts, Article 3 of the Fourth Geneva Convention may be a good guide.

Not extremists:

Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including
members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and
those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention,
or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated
humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race,
colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other
similar criteria

Extremists:

To this end, the following acts are and shall remain prohib-
ited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to
the above-mentioned persons:
a) violence to life and person, in particular murder of all
kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture;
b) taking of hostages;
c) outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating
and degrading treatment;
d) the passing of sentences and the carrying out of
executions without previous judgment pronounced by a
regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial
guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by
civilized peoples.

[Jay25]

5. My question was directed towards 'you', I wanted your determination.

Although it may seem cut and dry, opinions do differ. I think the insurrectionists that stormed the Capitol were extremists, while there are those who considered them patriots.

[Beastly Boy]

6. My determination has a legal basis. And it doesn't differ from the Geneva Conventions.

Why should I make stuff up when I have a legal document in front of me to refer to?