Commentary
When critics of Israel discuss its conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the term “proportionality” often arises. This concept suggests that the civilian casualties in Gaza and Lebanon compared to those in Israel indicate that Israel is violating international norms in its defensive actions against these terrorist groups. The argument implies that the higher number of Palestinian civilian deaths points to potential war crimes or even genocide by Israel.
However, a closer examination is necessary to understand this concept.
Reports from biased health ministries in Gaza and Lebanon claim approximately 42,000 and 2,000 civilian deaths, respectively, without distinguishing between civilians and terrorists killed. International military observers estimate that around 15,000 terrorists in Gaza and 1,000 Hezbollah members in Lebanon have been killed by Israeli forces. These individuals were combatants dedicated to Israel’s destruction and harming Jewish people.
In both conflicts, Hamas initiated hostilities on Oct. 7, 2023, and began firing rockets into Israel shortly after. As Israel did not provoke these attacks, it is clear that Israel is the victim in these conflicts.
It is important to note that Hamas strategically used civilian cover to carry out their aggression. Their operations, arsenals, and headquarters were hidden within civilian structures in Gaza, including tunnels passing under homes, hospitals, and schools. This deliberate tactic by Hamas led to a high number of civilian casualties when Israel responded.
Another crucial point to consider alongside civilian deaths and the initial attacks by Hamas is the concept of proportionality in war. This principle, often used to criticize Israel, does not solely focus on victim ratios. It states that civilian casualties must be weighed against the military advantages achieved by such actions. However, determining this balance is subjective and typically assessed by an impartial international body after a conflict ends.
Looking back at history, World War II saw massive civilian casualties during bombings in London, Hamburg, and Dresden without any notion of proportionality. Similarly, the attacks on Pearl Harbor and subsequent bombings of Tokyo resulted in significant civilian deaths without proportional responses. Throughout history, there has been no consistent measure of proportional civilian casualties between warring parties.
Therefore, the accusation of Israel inflicting disproportionate civilian casualties in these conflicts can be seen as a veiled form of anti-Semitism, hiding behind an ethical concept that lacks practical application in the harsh reality of war.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
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