One of the reasons many take issue with the word “genocide” is because it negates Hamas’s responsibility for civilian deaths. Genocide means that civilians are being intentionally targeted to destroy the population, not that combatants are targeted who are intentionally burying themselves in civilian areas. It denies that Hamas are stationing themselves in safe zones where combatants are not allowed to be. It denies that Hamas are hiding hostages in civilian homes and towns that are made vulnerable to any rescue operation. It denies that Hamas are conducting operations out of schools, mosques, and hospitals. It denies that Hamas are intentionally maximizing civilian deaths, as Sinwar admitted, to garner outrage from the world and therefore gain strategic advantage in ceasefire negotiations. If Hamas separated themselves and no civilians were harmed, the world wouldn’t care if they were systematically wiped out. To make that impossible, they inextricably intertwine themselves with civilians, families, homes, and infrastructure for the best shot of survival. The death toll is therefore deeply mixed up with their unsavory strategic decisions. Do people really not see this?
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