Israeli Tank Shells Hit Hospital

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28399292

I know we have debated the Israeli/Palestinian situation many times before, and there I appreciate that there is wrong on both sides but how can the Israelis justify targeting a Hospital ? 5 dead and 70 injured.

[Peter Pedant]

The instant reason is that they noticed terrorist fire coming from the Hospital windows.

it is the 'usual' well-used reason.

[ChillDoubt]

I'll reserve judgement on this one, purely because I doubt anyone would willingly target a hospital UNLESS Hamas have done as they have before i.e. used ambulances for ferrying rockets/arms.

[mikey4444]

If it is true that Palestinian terrorists were using the Hospital as a firing position, that that is obviously to be condemned. But the Israelis must have known what would happen if their tanks lobbed shells at a Hospital.

Israel is often spoken about as the only democracy in the region, and its about time that showed some common sense and civilised behaviour.

And before anybody says that the Palestinians are constantly firing rockets at them...I know, but targeting a Hospital is still not right.

[ChillDoubt]

And before anybody says that the Palestinians are constantly firing rockets at them...I know, but targeting a Hospital is still not right.
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But if I was in a tank and a hospital window was being used as a firing position by an RPG team, I know what I'd do......

[mikey4444]

You would deliberately lob a few shells at a Hospital would you Chilli ? Then you are no better than any of the combatants in this dispute.

Isn't that sort of thing against the Geneva Convention ? Its certainly against all common sense and decency.

[DrFilth]

mikey > But the Israelis must have known what would happen if their tanks lobbed shells at a Hospital. <

why should they worry the americans back them all the way and they just ignore anything the un says

this is what 3 billion us dollars a year helps happen

[ChillDoubt]

You would deliberately lob a few shells at a Hospital would you Chilli ?
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If I was coming under fire from it I'd certainly direct some well aimed fire there, yes.




Then you are no better than any of the combatants in this dispute.
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I'll take that on its merits as you've obviously never been in a firefight.

[mikey4444]

Dr F...I know all this and we are not going to find a solution this afternoon, to a problem that has been festering since just post WW2. But Israeli shells should not be aimed at Hospitals...I would be saying the exact same if the situation was in reverse and Hamas targeted an Israeli Hospital with tank shells. Except they couldn't do that, because only the Israelis have tanks.

[mikey4444]

What possible difference does that make Chili ? If you have served in the Forces, than I presume that it was British forces, and I very much doubt whether a British Tank Commander would open fire on a civilian hospital.

Is it any wonder that this sorry dispute has been going on for so many years, with 10,000's of casualties, if your attitude is prominent.

[royfromaus]

Doesn't using a hospital to launch your shells from go against all common decency?

[tonyav]

Hamas would surely know that the Israelis would retaliate if they are fired upon, hospital or not.

[Sqad]

mikey....I sympathise with the opinion of Chilli.

Israeli tank commanders would fire on a hospital, unless they were coming under fire from the hospital in which case one would "open up."

They may not have known that it was a hospital........unlikely but possible.

The hospital was hit by "collateral damage."

[Sqad]

wouldn't fire on a hospital.

[Zeuhl]

Absolutely

The Palestinians should definitely be condemned for all the times they have killed civilians with their tanks

and all the civilians they have bombed with their fighter jets

and all the times the Palestinians have killed children with shell fire from their naval gunships

o yeah; they haven't got any of them either

[ChillDoubt]

mikey, your naievety is almost as prominent as your 'holier than thou' stance.

If Hamas used a hospital to store arms and as a firing point/baseplate for missile and rocket attacks, how much respect and care for their fellow citizens do Hamas have?
They've even used schools in the past but as roy points out, only one side must follow the rules, the other obviously has carte blanche.

[DrFilth]

you were right the first time sqad

[mikey4444]

Roy and Tony...yes...Hamas would have known that, so why use a Hospital if they know that Israel will fire tank shells at it ? I am not defending Hamas for one minute here, but they are a terrorist rabble, who are doing there own people no good at all, and never have done.

I have said this before but Israel is a democratic state, in a sea of dictatorships and they should show some restraint. Targeting Hospitals is just plain wrong !

[Zeuhl]

/Targeting Hospitals is just plain wrong ! /

it is

But it depends how ruthless you are prepared to be

A lack of ruthlessness is not something the IDF are known for.

[mikey4444]

Chili...I have made it plain on here this afternoon that I am not defending Hamas. Neither am I on the Israeli side. But you have admitted on here today that you think it right and proper to fire on a Hospital, and I condemn that attitude thoroughly, whether it comes from a terrorist of anybody else. Nowhere can anybody say that I have a "holier-than-thou" attitude...I am speaking from a humanitarian viewpoint.

[ChillDoubt]

Targeting Hospitals is just plain wrong !
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If they were targetting hospitals, surely more than one would have been hit during the present offensive?
A tank commander and gunner have in all probability acted during a one-off incident, whereby some Hamas hardliners have chanced their arm.
As I said, I'll reserve judgement until all the facts are out there.