Claim: “But won’t Iron Dome destroy incoming rockets, rendering them relatively harmless? Haven’t there been relatively few Israeli casualties as a result of Gaza rockets?”
Response: The Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has proven to be remarkably effective. However, no missile shield of this nature offers 100% protection. There are also a limited number of Iron Dome batteries to cover the entire region. While Israeli casualties have been low in proportion to the number of rockets fired, this is not from a lack of incentive on the part of Palestinian terrorists who are attempting to cause as many deaths and injuries as possible. At this time, three Israelis have been killed by a rocket strike on the southern town of Kiryat Malachi.
Claim: “This isn’t a fair fight – more Palestinians than Israelis are dying.”
Response: Casualty figures taken by themselves do not tell an accurate story. Israel does not intentionally target Palestinian civilians. The IDF takes extraordinary measures to avoid Palestinian civilian deaths. In stark contrast, Palestinian terror organizations intentionally target Israeli civilians and use the population of Gaza as human shields, storing and firing rockets from within populated areas. This is a double war crime. The only reason more Israelis are not dying is due to the reinforced rooms, bomb shelters, Iron Dome and early warning systems that Israelis rely upon to protect them.
In order to reduce the risk to Gazan civilians, the IDF has even dropped leaflets warning the residents of the Gaza Strip to stay away from Hamas and other terror organizations’ operatives and facilities that pose a risk to their safety.
The contents of the leaflet:
“Important announcement for the residents of the Gaza Strip:
For your own safety, take responsibility for yourselves and avoid being present in the vicinity of Hamas operatives and facilities and those of other terror organizations that pose a risk to your safety.
Hamas is once again dragging the region to violence and bloodshed. The IDF is determined to defend the residents of the State of Israel. This announcement is valid until quiet is restored to the region. Israel Defense Forces Command.”
Claim: “Israel is intent on creating a humanitarian disaster inside the Gaza Strip.”
Response: Israel’s targets inside Gaza are military and not civilian. In addition, the border crossings remain open allowing for the routine passage of humanitarian goods.
Claim: “Israel has committed a war crime through its targeted killing of Hamas military commander Ahmed Jabari.”
Response: The use of targeted killings is a last resort when it is impossible to capture a terrorist and put him on trial as is the case of the Gaza Strip. The IDF has deemed it necessary to disrupt Hamas’ ability to operate and has cut off the head of the snake using pinpoint accuracy to reduce the risk of collateral damage.
Ahmed Jabari has personally directed numerous deadly terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and was responsible for the abduction of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit as well as the violent Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip.
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