Where is the evidence that Hamas uses hospitals as human shields, or human shields in general?
Questions about the claim that Hamas embeds itself in civilian areas + uses human shields
"Hamas is constantly hiding among civilians, in schools and hospitals and nurseries"
Quick question:
I just got permanently banned from r/palestine (unsurprisingly not a sub that is particularly committed to free speech) for the crime of pointing out that Hamas uses hospitals as large human shields.
However, to their credit, in banning me, they left me with some links regarding some common myths about Hamas. One of them was the "human shields" myth.
Upon following up on their arguments, I can't actually find much in the way of reliable evidence from anyone or anything (that is not directly from the IDF) that corroborates Hamas using human shields. I feel like Sam is more than a little to hasty to buy into claims that come from Israel, as if they don't also have a sophisticated propaganda machine up and running.
So with that said: can someone point me in the direction of reliable evidence that Hamas uses human shields?
I have a few questions about the claims that (1) Hamas embeds itself in civilian areas and (2) Hamas uses civilians as human shields.
1: What “non-civilian areas” are there in Gaza? Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. It is seven miles by twenty five miles and has two million+ people living in it. It has under 2% of Israel’s area but holds an equivalent of over 20% of its population. The average resident cannot easily leave, this was true before October 7th and it’s even more true now. Where exactly are the places “not in civilian zones”? Can you tell me of an open, uninhabited/unused area in Gaza that can fit a military facility? If there is one, and a facility is formed, would Israel not just call it a “terrorist base” and strike it anyway? Israel strikes tunnels if they’re Hamas-run, which they had to create because they can’t build a military base. It did this multiple times before October 7th. Israel would never, ever accept a conventional Palestinian military base.
2: Discounting the previous argument, how does Hamas being in civilian areas or using human shields justify repeatedly targeting said civilian areas with the knowledge that disproportionate civilian casualties will occur? You’d assume Israel frequently takes Hamas’ bait. By that logic, do you accept that Israel keeps giving Hamas exactly what it wants? If you say “yes”, I have two further questions.
1: Why does Israel repeatedly target civilian areas knowing Hamas would achieve its goals and that it would make Israel appear less credible?
2: What do you propose then that Israel does so Hamas does not achieve a constant propaganda victory?
I am genuinely asking.