US trying to close 'gap' between Israel's intent and resulting Gaza death toll: Blinken

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Sun Dec 10, 2023, 08:19 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: ABC News

December 10, 2023, 11:54 AM


The U.S. is trying to lower civilian casualties from Israel's military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in the wake of Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attack that sparked the current war, but there is a "gap" between the Israeli military's intention and results, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday.

"We're focused on two things: We're focused on -- what is their intent, and are they [the Israelis] taking necessary measures to make sure that they're acting in adherence with humanitarian law and international law? But then also, what are the results?" Blinken told ABC "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz.

"We've seen the results," Raddatz responded. She noted reports of numerous civilians, including women and children, killed in the fighting. More than 17,700 people have died in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Israeli officials maintain they take steps to curb the risk to non-Hamas fighters.

"There's a gap between the intent and the results, and that's the gap that we're trying to make sure is closed," Blinken said. "Look, this could be over tomorrow. This could be over tomorrow. If Hamas got out of the way of civilians instead of hiding behind them, if it put down its weapons, if it surrendered."

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-close-gap-israels-intent-resulting-gaza-death/story?id=105524365

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Article updated.

Original article -

December 10, 2023, 9:19 AM


The U.S. is trying to lower civilian casualties from Israel's military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in the wake of Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attack that sparked the current war, but there is a "gap" between Israeli military's intention and results, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday.

"We're focused on two things: We're focused on -- what is their intent, and are they [the Israelis] taking necessary measures to make sure that they're acting in adherence with humanitarian law and international law? But then also, what are the results?" Blinken told ABC "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz.

"We've seen the results," Raddatz responded, noting reports of numerous civilians, including women and children, killed in the fighting. More than 17,700 people have died in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Israeli officials maintain they take steps to curb the risk to non-Hamas fighters.

But "there's a gap between the intent and the results, and that's the gap that we're trying to make sure is closed," Blinken said. "Look, this could be over tomorrow. This could be over tomorrow. If Hamas got out of the way of civilians instead of hiding behind them, if it put down its weapons, if it surrendered."


This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

[yardwork]

1. There are two ways this could be over tomorrow.

The first way would be for Israel to cease fire, as many want them to do. The result of that - as we've seen over and over, including two weeks ago - is that HAMAS will continue its war on Israeli civilians, continuing raids that rape, torture and murder children in front of their parents, mothers in front of their children, blowing up people at bus stops, as we've seen. I don't blame Israel for going to war to prevent that, so I can't blame them for refusing to cease fire.

The other way it ends tomorrow is if HAMAS surrenders and enters talks with Israel and the UN to create a solution. HAMAS refused to do that. So Israel is at war.

[Lonestarblue]

2. Qatar has been funding Hanas with Netanyahu's approval.

Israel could stop the war now and have Qatar stop any funding. They offered to so last year, but Israel wanted the funding to continue. Netanyahu does not want to stop the war. He wants to kill all Palestinians in Gaza or force other countries to take them in as refugees so he has their land. Then it’s on to the West Bank to finish taking all the land there.

[yardwork]

3. Yeah... no. It's not nearly that simple.

There really is something... off ... about these characterizations of Israelis as greedy war mongers. I just don't agree with that at all.

[IronLionZion]

4. Netanyahu needs a scary bogeyman so he can stay in power

Without Hamas, Israel could elect someone more sensible and interested in exploring peaceful solutions.

[yardwork]

6. Netanyahu did not manufacture HAMAS.

[IronLionZion]

8. He and Ariel Sharon conceded Gaza to them

Israel pulled out of that territory, built a fortified wall around it, and enabled Hamas to control it for the last 17 years. He benefits from their existence as an excuse to avoid good faith talks with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

Israeli right wingers don't care much what happens to Gaza. So there's no downside to demolishing it to rubble. They want the much better land in the West Bank.

[SYGDeb]

9. Yardwork

"If it looks like a duck..quacks like a duck sounds like a duck... it's a duck!"

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. I think it's very clear what Israel's intent is.

[LudwigPastorius]

7. Netanyahu's "intent" seems to be...

1A) Destroy Hamas
1B) Get revenge & inflict punishment

[Prairie Gates]

10. Between the idea / And the reality

Between the motion
And the act
Falls the Shadow
For Thine is the Kingdom

Between the conception
And the creation
Between the emotion
And the response
Falls the Shadow
Life is very long

Between the desire
And the spasm
Between the potency
And the existence
Between the essence
And the descent
Falls the Shadow
For Thine is the Kingdom

For Thine is
Life is
For Thine is the