Hostage negotiations are proceeding slowly (if at all). Israel asked for more to be released, and Hamas responded by saying they aren’t sure where they are. This is exactly what I said they would do. The media focuses on possible Israeli easing of demands or making more concessions. What we don’t see on the mainstream media is any mention of the fact that International Humanitarian Law REQUIRES the immediate and unconditional release of civilians that have been taken captive. It seems that the only parts of humanitarian law they talk about are items that call for actions by Israel. Activities involving fighting in schools or hospitals are always possible ISRAELI “war crimes”. Hamas violations get swept under the rug. Should Hamas get their slogans accepted, uncritically, when they say that the “occupation” justifies “resistance by any means”? I don’t think so.
Another point that the media mention over and over again is the “humanitarian crisis”. They have been warning of more expected civilian deaths in a day or two due to lack of aid. It’s been repeated for weeks, but somehow it has not happened. The Gaza situation is the only one that gets so much coverage. The media seems to have forgotten that other war in Ukraine. They also don’t mention the civil wars in Syria, in Libya, and in Sudan. There are rants against forced displacement of a million or so Palestinians (whom no country wants to accept as refugees) but no mention of some SIX million Sudanese refugees who really are dying from starvation.
I’ve sent e-mails to major media about some of this. Have you?
Wetherhorn 