Hamas strike on Israel - Threadbans in op - mod warning in OP updated 19/10/23

You and me both. And the same goes for other Gulf states and Christian fundamentalists in the US or Buddhists in Myanmar. I'm all for a freedom to practice religion and for it to play a significant part in a peoples or countries culture, but not that it gets to the point of governing policy. Or claims of a divine right in any respect.

I can understand why Hamas exist, but that doesn't mean I agree with them or their focus. I've said on here before that the path to peace should focus on showing Palestinians that they do not need Hamas rather than trying to eradicate a violent resistance.

I agree with you on all that in principle. If / when the Palestinians accept they don't need Hamas (they probably already have?), do you think Hamas voluntarily disbandons? I don't think they will.

This is kind of a strange comment, it's a bit like suggesting that the attack on Pearl Harbour on the 7th of December 1941 was not really relevant to the US response ... that's the thing about acts of war. When they're done, the victim gets to decide how they respond.

The American intelligence agencies were 100% correct with everything they published regarding what Russia was doing in February 2022.

It was almost surreal how closely the actual events followed their warnings.

Whatever the truth is, each side will believe what they want regarding what went on or didn't go on in the hospital.

Some will insist Hamas were there no matter what

If the IDF releases evidence to show Hamas were there, other people will say it's all fabricated.

That is true. Israel will have to make the hospital function fully and effectively.

Israel is a rogue state in the region also.

I would like to see the removal of vetos at the UN level and to see that body, the EU, the US to push sanctions on anyone disturbing the peace. Wishful thinking at this moment as the EU and US inflame the situation with their tacit support of Israels actions over the last month, but it is likely the only peaceful solution.

Mostly agree with you again in principle, if only Hamas were like the IRA though. And never mind their leaders, there's still probably 10k+ Hamas extremists in Gaza, I can't see them ever being harmless. Better for the world to exterminate them.

Fully agree with the international pressure required and for Israel to seriously change their ways.

More Than 500 U.S. Officials Sign Letter Protesting Biden’s Israel Policy - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Pressure builds.

"Peaceful solution" my rear end. This is about the destruction of Israel. Countries like Iran and groups like Hamas, Hezbollah etc won't stop until Israel is destroyed the Jews have been driven into the sea.

It's relevant until the war is over. That's how war works. Israel faces an enemy in Hamas that likely won't stop until one or the other is totally annihilated. I don't see any reason why Israel should not treat the 7th of October attacks as their Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbour was relevant for six years of WW2, 9/11 was relevant for a decade, the PIRA used Bloody Sunday for 20 years, and you are calling on Israel to forget about 7/10 after six weeks?

Some people think that. Most don't. The only solution is a peaceful solution.

Some people who say they want peace, don't really, and contribute to the violence even without ever picking up a weapon. They're as big a part of the problem as those who do take up arms.

Or how much conflict and death do you think should be expected per year on an ongoing basis? Because, I've news for you, occupying or erasing Palestine will do nothing to make Israel safer.

If you're referring to the IRA's campaign of terror against the British mainland in the mid-late 20th century, there are two massive differences between the IRA attacks on Britain and the conflict in Israel.

1. The IRA never controlled Ireland, our government never supported terrorist attacks on Britain.
2. The conflict between the IRA and Britain was never a fight to the death. The IRA never sought to destroy Britain, only to remove it from Northern Ireland. Had they "won," there was never any question of a United Ireland going on the offensive and driving the Protestants into the sea from the British mainland.

Neither of these applies to Israel/Palestinians - Hamas are the government of Gaza and their goal is the extermination of the Jews and the complete destruction of Israel in its entirety.

Let them leave. And learn as the UK is learning that it is better to be within a group with shared interests you've signed up to than outside it demanding co-operation.

Russia is no longer the power it thinks it is or used to be. China absolutely is, but I believe China is pragmatic also and if it is seen to be outside the sphere of cooperation and influence, it will look for a diplomatic solution.

I'm being very optimistic here, the actions of the last month have made what I am talking about impossible from even being mentioned for at least ten years and possibly much longer than that.

Military focus of groups/governments/nations has brought nothing but pain/suffering/death and economic hardship for those who initiated it for the last 100+ years. Alternative methods of diplomacy should be prioritized at all times to avoid this.