Seems IDF is now again denying shooting women at a catholic church.
Other than Catholic sources and IDF, there has been no other information about this. I assume that is because this is in an area where outside journalist can't go. I really, really don't want to believe that IDF is responsible here, but -
Having the Pope call IDF out is a big deal. Catholics are pretty outraged by this right now. You would think that IDF would want to be quick to do a ground investigation and offer assistance to parishioners over the potential implications of this. The people in the church say there are no Hamas there - so why not go to the church and assist and investigate? And if you do not control the area, why is the church saying otherwise? I see no motivation for them to lie. Every other time IDF has been accused of causing damage, they were quick to provide proof that they weren't responsible, showing us videos, guns hiding under mattresses, etc. Why do they not seem to care here? If they really cared about civilians as they claim, wouldn't they want to be helping/protecting those asking for help?
If this was done by a Hamas shooter, their motivation would be to make IDF look like terrorists and I think that is a definite possibility considering other tactics they use. But if they intentionally did this to paint IDF as terrorists, you would think that they would be all over the media saying "See! See! - Christians look how bad IDF is!" This does seem to be their MO about everything else they claim IDF did, yet I have not heard anything from them on this I hear them talking about killing doctors, sick people, children, so why wouldn't they be jumping all over this? You would think that IDF would be going out of their way to prove it, given the Pope's comments and how that could have a huge impact on international support.
It may be premature to call BS on IDF here, but they do have the capability of investigating, and yet have not done so, have not gone to the church to find out for themselves, have not offered assistance to parishioners. Instead the response feels "war is bad, our fighters are under pressure, sucks that you are there."
I would think a better response would be: "I feel sadness and regret that this happened. We are determined to investigate and find out what happened here, and if it turns out the accusations are true, we will hold those responsible accountable."
My gut is telling me there was intense street fighting in the area, and with the trauma of fighting one or more IDF fighters started seeing anyone not wearing an IDF uniform is an enemy and shooting at them. This seems to be what happened with the hostages they shot, so it makes sense here. But if that is what happened, the coverup and lack of concern is far worse than the act itself.
Having the Pope call IDF out is a big deal. Catholics are pretty outraged by this right now. You would think that IDF would want to be quick to do a ground investigation and offer assistance to parishioners over the potential implications of this. The people in the church say there are no Hamas there - so why not go to the church and assist and investigate? And if you do not control the area, why is the church saying otherwise? I see no motivation for them to lie. Every other time IDF has been accused of causing damage, they were quick to provide proof that they weren't responsible, showing us videos, guns hiding under mattresses, etc. Why do they not seem to care here? If they really cared about civilians as they claim, wouldn't they want to be helping/protecting those asking for help?
If this was done by a Hamas shooter, their motivation would be to make IDF look like terrorists and I think that is a definite possibility considering other tactics they use. But if they intentionally did this to paint IDF as terrorists, you would think that they would be all over the media saying "See! See! - Christians look how bad IDF is!" This does seem to be their MO about everything else they claim IDF did, yet I have not heard anything from them on this I hear them talking about killing doctors, sick people, children, so why wouldn't they be jumping all over this? You would think that IDF would be going out of their way to prove it, given the Pope's comments and how that could have a huge impact on international support.
It may be premature to call BS on IDF here, but they do have the capability of investigating, and yet have not done so, have not gone to the church to find out for themselves, have not offered assistance to parishioners. Instead the response feels "war is bad, our fighters are under pressure, sucks that you are there."
I would think a better response would be: "I feel sadness and regret that this happened. We are determined to investigate and find out what happened here, and if it turns out the accusations are true, we will hold those responsible accountable."
My gut is telling me there was intense street fighting in the area, and with the trauma of fighting one or more IDF fighters started seeing anyone not wearing an IDF uniform is an enemy and shooting at them. This seems to be what happened with the hostages they shot, so it makes sense here. But if that is what happened, the coverup and lack of concern is far worse than the act itself.
46-50, M
