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Israeli strike destroys Gaza building with AP, other media

76 Comments
By FARES AKRAM and JOSEPH KRAUSS

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bass4funkToday  01:40 pm JST

"With all their cash, state-of-the-art weapons and special forces don't they have better military options than indiscriminate airstrikes?"

Yes and No.

As is often the case with your comments I don't quite see what you're getting at there. However if you're implying that there are military options the IDF do not have recourse to for whatever tactical, strategic, legal or moral reasons they're not really "better," are they.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

With all their cash, state-of-the-art weapons and special forces don't they have better military options than indiscriminate airstrikes?

Yes and No.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

justaskingToday  12:50 pm JST

I'm not saying Israel is not to blame, but what would you have them do when Hamas fires thousands of rockets at them non-stop? Diplomatic protest?

With all their cash, state-of-the-art weapons and special forces don't they have better military options than indiscriminate airstrikes?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

A mob of Palestinian protesters attacked and beat, with belts, a man in Toronto today.

same thing happened to a Jewish counter protester in NY 2 days ago. He was badly bleeding and being chased by a mob before finding refuge in a local business.

Not a peep from the MSM.

Some people are more equal than others.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

This is the time for Western powers to seriously reconsider their support for Israel. That country has become exactly what the first people of Israel escaped from after WW2, and it's walking on a tiny thread before slipping into what justified a NATO intervention against Yugoslavia back in 1999. I have no sympathy for a country that is doing exactly what their forebears from 3-4 generations ago escaped from. It's not because people survived the Holocaust that we should tolerate their descendants choosing to put a new Apartheid in place.

And for those who whine about the deletion of comments supporting the destruction of the AP building, it seems you're better off living in China or in any other country where freedom of press is not recognized. I would love to see you forsaking your life privileges and then live in those countries if you don't understand what the destruction of that building actually means when you between the lines.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

I'm not saying Israel is not to blame, but what would you have them do when Hamas fires thousands of rockets at them non-stop? Diplomatic protest?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Why target foreign news agencies to prevent them from reporting on what is happening inside Gaza.

even the most cursory of searches will tell you that Hamas was using the building as a military asset.

the IDF essentially gave terrorists an hour's warning before flattening it.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

A mob of Palestinian protesters attacked and beat, with belts, a man in Toronto today.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

yeah no, we are really not. Israel Continues to illegally occupy large swaths of Palestinian land. I don't think they should have tolerate the abuse, but you're mind or the mindset that might makes right.

thats 180 degrees from the truth and common sense, but "you do you" as the kids say.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

well, there! We're on the same page!

yeah no, we are really not. Israel Continues to illegally occupy large swaths of Palestinian land. I don't think they should have tolerate the abuse, but you're mind or the mindset that might makes right.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Uh-huh. Sure.

well, there! We're on the same page!

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

I'd feel pretty silly. And grateful.

Uh-huh. Sure.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

How would you feel if you our neighbor stole your land and only kept 1% of it?

after I've attacked them with other neighbors and got my ass handed to me?

I'd feel pretty silly. And grateful.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Thats an interesting way to say Israel only gave back 99% of the land they conquered after being simultaneously attacked by her neighbors.

Good on you for admitting Israel stole and illegally occupies Palestinian land. Unfortunately, returning "99%" of the lane they stole isn't even close to being accurate. How would you feel if you our neighbor stole your land and only kept 1% of it?

https://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/palestineremix/phone/maps_main.html

7 ( +9 / -2 )

That said, land stealing by Israel was going on long before Hamas was a political force.

Thats an interesting way to say Israel only gave back 99% of the land they conquered after being simultaneously attacked by her neighbors.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Collective punishment of a refugee population, a hugely disproportionate armed response in order to perpetuate a crypto-theocratic apartheid state. Day by day, it becomes more difficult to determine just who the real terrorists are.

it doesn't become difficult for those who have their opinions assigned to them.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

I worry and wonder about the trauma to all these children. Most will become adults. How can there be peace? I also wonder if peace is actually a goal.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

If you want to criticize the militant wing of Hamas, be my guest, but they absolutely provide welfare to Palestinians.

Well, in a way. It's called the "Palestinian Authority "Martyr's" Fund" and gives the family of every dead terrorist a monthly $800 to $1000 stipend.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

The leftist libtards do not care about that, but when Israel retaliates the left has a fit.

Does it make the world easier for you to understand by putting everyone into your ‘special’ folders?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Hamas are criminals funded by totalitarian regimes.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Hamas receives millions of dollars of aid from aid and NGO's etc. Does it go to help its impoverished people. No it goes towards buying weapons and rockets. Weapons, rockets and infrastructure to launch them are not free.

This is simply incorrect: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamas

If you want to criticize the militant wing of Hamas, be my guest, but they absolutely provide welfare to Palestinians.

Just curious: Are you also upset about the US providing military aid to the State of Israel?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Hamas receives millions of dollars of aid from aid and NGO's etc. Does it go to help its impoverished people. No it goes towards buying weapons and rockets. Weapons, rockets and infrastructure to launch them are not free.

A lot of money and effort is spent on underground tunnels, for sole military use, which might have been better used on better hospitals and facilities to help its civilians wouldn't someone think.

No fuel for the powerstation to provide electricity to its impoverished people but plenty to fuel the rockets. They don't run on air.

Military headquarters quartered under cover of civilian residences in order to protect the civilians, or is it their military they are protecting with their civilian hostages around them.

Which country in the world will be subject to thousands of rockets fired indiscriminately at them for whatever reason and just turn their cheek and do nothing to protect its own citizens. Please list all the countries that do this.

And when this episode is over millions will be donated to them again to rebuild and again it will be used to buy rockets and rebuild its military instead of helping its people.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

justaskingToday  11:34 am JST

The only reason there are few casualties on Israel side is they can intercept the rockets. Hamas, funded by Iran, is launching rockets non-stop to Israel. People seem to forget this fact.

Blaming the victim is a typical Hasbara tactic.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

The only reason there are few casualties on Israel side is they can intercept the rockets. Hamas, funded by Iran, is launching rockets non-stop to Israel. People seem to forget this fact.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

The UN chief said he was 'deeply disturbed' by the atrocities in Palestine. Oh, such harsh language, surely indicative of anti-Semetic and Holocaust Denial tendencies. The only ones who are truly 'deeply disturbed' are the Israelis and their acolytes.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

To be fair, barely literate commentaries

From whom? What are you talking about? Be exact...

from the extreme right on how Israel won't concede are just poorly informed opinion.

One can make the same counter argument.

The world is bearing witness to the atrocities being committed by Israel.

And Hamas

As ever, it will be well-documented but this time round there is gaining support for Palestine from unlikely sources.

And the US is Israel’s biggest ally and the President just turned his back on the only democracy in the ME, shameful!

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Since the Israelis can do no wrong, somebody else must be responsible for all the no wrong they do.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Toasted HereticToday  10:56 am JST

To be fair, barely literate commentaries from the extreme right on how Israel won't concede are just poorly informed opinion.

I think it makes them feel big and tough to be on the same side as the people with all the money, guns, tanks, warplanes and missiles.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

the Israelis are just supposed to take it ans concede, won’t happen.

To be fair, barely literate commentaries from the extreme right on how Israel won't concede are just poorly informed opinion.

The world is bearing witness to the atrocities being committed by Israel. As ever, it will be well-documented but this time round there is gaining support for Palestine from unlikely sources.

Every little bit helps.

https://www.leftvoice.org/italian-dockers-stop-arms-shipment-to-israel-in-solidarity-with-palestine?fbclid=IwAR052IJ1bb6oH7TpBDHvSALU_2s2n_IZtCLRC9SMmEWv01UYBxkm7CUf48g

8 ( +9 / -1 )

The terrorist Likud and support from successive terrorist US governments have resulted in deadly and severe attacks on Palestinians for years.

As well as attacks on Israelis, so they’re just supposed to take and accept any attack and just not respond? The Palestinians are being overwhelmingly supported by Iran in terms of money and military supply, why not use it for something constructive as in building better living facilities or schools, upgrade the sanitary conditions? They don’t and they won’t. They will use the funds to fund more terrorist acts and the Israelis are just supposed to take it ans concede, won’t happen.

Biden should show some backbone and denounce this latest murderous attack on the people of Palestine.

....and the murder of innocent Israelis.

-14 ( +0 / -14 )

"If China or Russia had done anything remotely like this, Psaki, Blinken, Biden, Sullivan, Rubio, Cotton, Hawley... would all go berserk. Now they are all pretending brain dead." -- Chen Weihua, China Daily EU Bureau Chief

3 ( +4 / -1 )

you would think that after everything Israel has been through in it's history that they would be able to show some empathy for others.

Israel?

Israel has been acting in an awful manner from the very start. Israel's history is one of constant aggression, by Israel.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Hamas fired rockets into Israel and is solely responsible for this conflict. Neutralizing Hamas is the only way to achieve peace!!!!

Like any decent person, I’m not going to defend Hamas ( does anyone know if they still have the Protocols of the Elders of Zion on their website? ).

That said, land stealing by Israel was going on long before Hamas was a political force.

That certainly wasn’t a wasn’t an attempt to achieve peace.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

In Israel's view, You either subscribe to their ZIONIST agenda or you are an anti-Semitic, or a terrorist.

Not all Israelis think this, obviously.

Meanwhile, Israeli police collude with violent settlers.

https://www.972mag.com/israel-police-settlers-lyd/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/15/far-right-jewish-groups-arab-youths-claim-streets-lod-israel-loses-control

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Brutal Israeli government. One day they will reap what they have sown.

May God have mercy on the poor Palestinians and deliver them. And may the Isrealis one day agree to a fair land distribution deal that is agreeable to the Palestinians.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Actually, hitting the media building was a mistake. They were aiming for hospitals and day-care centers.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

How would you feel if England showed up at your front door one day and told you to leave your home, because they were going to give it to someone else?

Indeed. That's the history of Ireland (see the plantations in the 17th century).

There is no defence of colonialism and land grabs. None.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Vaguely familiar guy claims Israel is great value for money:

https://twitter.com/Blike_Dante/status/1392210478462611470

Just in case anyone missed it the first time round:

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/netanyahu-absolves-hitler-of-guilt-1.5411578

Unreal.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

once any terrorist even thinks about firing on any Israeli, the response is going to be deadly and severe

The terrorist Likud and support from successive terrorist US governments have resulted in deadly and severe attacks on Palestinians for years.

Biden should show some backbone and denounce this latest murderous attack on the people of Palestine.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

In fact the press is helping Israel. Thanks AP!

Israel may have bluffed on ground invasion of Gaza, blew up hidden terrorists: report

Israel is being accused of having misled the press by announcing a ground invasion, only to lure terrorists into places where they could more easily be targeted by the military.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

No. Israel started the war by firing rubber bullets and stun grenades into Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan services

And the reason for that was what? Just for the sake of it? Absolutely not. So I disagree with the reason why they started, it was the reaction of an attacked that provoked a military response and whether you agree or not, once any terrorist even thinks about firing on any Israeli, the response is going to be deadly and severe as we are seeing now and still Joe is incognito.

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

> Did this happen during the last 4 years? Would it be happening now if the USA didn’t have a weak and ineffective president? Yes or no?

No and No.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

In Israel's view, You either subscribe to their ZIONIST agenda or you are an anti-Semitic, or a terrorist.

Israel haters don’t understand what facts are.

Calling Israel Zionist is like calling every Moslem country ISIS.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

In Israel's view, You either subscribe to their ZIONIST agenda or you are an anti-Semitic, or a terrorist.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Yeah we prefer war over a peace plan that has any connection to Trump. That makes total sense, huh?

You'd have a point except that isn't why people are opposed to Donald's "plan." The peace proposal is/was completely lopsided, with no upside for Palestinians. It's sort of hard to negotiate when one party doesn't even believe the other has a right to exist.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

The OUT OF CONTROL state of Israel is going after the media since it's war crimes against the Palestinians was reported live for the world to see.

If Israel want's Hamas or it's leadership they KNOW exactly where they are, instead they choose to brutally kill and terrorize the helpless civilians hoping to turn them against the leadership.

Israel is NO different than any other TERRORIST groups that will kill the innocents to advance their agenda.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Hamas, like Hezbollah only exist because of terrorist Zionists.

Finding excuses for terrorists doesn’t work. Care to explain why Al Qaeda , ISIS exists??? If oppression I’d the only reason why aren’t the Yazidis attacking Moslem countries??

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

That would be preferable to what is going on under Biden’s “leadership” yes.

How does any President change the minds of about 1/3 to 1/2 of the US population think Israel has to start Armageddon so they can be saved? That is what drives US policy towards Israel. Democrats and Republicans both believe this. It is fundamental to Evangelical belief. It is political suicide in the US to denounce Israel for their barbarities. More importantly it is a non starter from a policy standpoint. There is no majority in either house to punish Israel and if a President tried whatever he did would be undone by Congress by overwhelming majorities.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

According to the AP themselves previously, it’s just a building. They said no need to focus on destruction of property. Focus on the “grievance” they said.

“Focusing on rioting and property destruction rather than underlying grievance...

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

But America will look the other way as usual.

It is much worse, and much more deliberate than that. Here is what a US politician faces if they think they can change US policy to punish Israel for the barbarities they inflict on the Palestinians, which ironically include Christian groups in Israel who the Israelis consider to be Palestinian and not necessarily Israeli.

The Evangelicals in the US believe that an aggressive and hegemonic Israel must start the great war Armgeddon from the Book of Revelations and this war will lead to the second coming of Christ. They don't care about anything Israel does or doesn't do as long as it leads to Armageddon. I have been told this to my face btw, by Evangelicals. They also teach that if the US unequivocally supports Israel then Jesus will protect the US during the end of times. Yeah, kooky. I could not make this stuff up. Evangelicals tell it to me. And a lot of US politicians believe this nonsense courtesy of Abram Vereide, Doug Coe and "The Family", who preach this stuff to members of Congress. You have a big chunk of the US population and their politicians who actively want Israel to start a big war because they sincerely think it will bring Jesus and their salvation. Keep that in mind when you look at US Middle Easy policy.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Hamas started this with firing hundreds of rockets into civilian areas in Israel.

No. Israel started the war by firing rubber bullets and stun grenades into Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan services.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

As long as terrorists like Hamas represent Palestinians, they will get little support.

Hamas, like Hezbollah only exist because of terrorist Zionists.

If you fall over, your friend will put a plaster on your knee, rub your shoulder and tell you not to worry about falling over next time. They care about normal people. But they will sacrifice their lives to help you.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

It is a especially despicable act of cowardice for a supposedly elected government to knowingly destroy the offices of several global media empires. A democracy has an obligation to permit the press to report what they see without government restraint. Such governments also have an obligation to answer the questions of the press. Instead Israel tries to punish and silence the press. What a deplorable government they have. Mr. Netanyahu must be tried for crimes against humanity and if found guilty, he must be imprisoned for life. The US needs to end all financial and military support to Israel.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

And, because they are scumbags who put their operations / offices in schools, mosques and office buildings housing people like the press, they COUNT ON idiotic 1st worlders to parrot their propaganda that Israel is attacking innocent people.

So what you're saying is both sides just fight out in the open like in 18th and 19th century Europe.

Hamas started this with firing hundreds of rockets into civilian areas in Israel.

And if you go back a bit further, you'll find Israel attempting illegally and annex lands they have no right to. History is seldom as simple as this one person started it and that's it.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

I was taught that...

If you start a fight.....

Don't get upset if the other side fights back.

And don't whine if they fight back.

Hamas started this with firing hundreds of rockets into civilian areas in Israel.

They deserve everything they are getting in return.

And, because they are scumbags who put their operations / offices in schools, mosques and office buildings housing people like the press, they COUNT ON idiotic 1st worlders to parrot their propaganda that Israel is attacking innocent people.

Hamas is what it is. What I despise are the idiotic Westerners / 1st Worlders that stick up for them.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

Knocking out the media to make it even more difficult to cover this carnage.

Cannot pretend this isn't a brutal occupation any longer.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

Slowly western support for the "State of Israel" will fade and eventually justice for the Palestinians will be called for. The zionist know the clock is ticking, that's why the land grab has to continue as fast as possible.

Wishful thinking or delusions, either way unrealistic !!!!

As long as terrorists like Hamas represent Palestinians, they will get little support.

-13 ( +5 / -18 )

Nothing like bombing the media building, which also houses civilians, so that it's difficult for them to report on the war crimes you are committing.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

Israel has been through in it's history

Israel only existed since 1948 after the British Balfour Declaration. This happened after Zionist terriorists mass murdered British soldiers.

When the Zionists and Jews arrived in Palestine, they committed murder and genocide, forcing half the population to flee and stealing their land and homes. When I was in a Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut, two old men showed me their necklaces, keys to their homes stolen by Jews.

Since then, they have oppressed all remaining Palestinians. Up to 10000 children tortured in jail according to the UN.

bombing of press organizations is just a ploy cover war crimes. No news, no proof.

BDS

.

12 ( +19 / -7 )

I find it very interesting to see the tide turning and people around the world are starting to see the Israelis for what they really are. Even the US with its very efficient IPAC lobbying group, is slowly starting to side with the Palestinian cause. Those of us old enough to remember the old South Africa will recognize this change. Most western countries supported the white minority government and turned a blind eye to their atrocities. Slowly western support for the "State of Israel" will fade and eventually justice for the Palestinians will be called for. The zionist know the clock is ticking, that's why the land grab has to continue as fast as possible.

12 ( +16 / -4 )

No journalists, nobody to report on civilian deaths, destruction of schools, hospitals, infrastructure. Makes sense for a regime bent on religious ethnic cleansing. But America will look the other way as usual.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Hamas’s sole aim for over 30 years has been to turn a difficult, but potentially negotiable, conflict into a nonnegotiable, zero-sum holy war.

-9 ( +5 / -14 )

those who think of themselves as pro-Palestinian: If you want a Palestinian state to exist and succeed, you must also want Hamas to be humiliated and defeated!!!

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

The reason for this war crime is pretty clear.

The populations of the Gulf Dictatorships watch alJazeera because it is the closest thing to honest coverage of the region there is (yes, it is more honest coverage than CNN, by about the margin between CNN and Fox for American coverage)

And despite the US backing for them, as well as the goodies Trump gave them to go public about their cooperation with the Israeli regime, the Arab Spring (The real one, not the American sponsored knockoff production) shook their confidence that the knowledge that the US would, if not reinstate them, insist that the replacement be just like them, combined with their own repressive sectors, was enough to keep the status quo, and the aftermath of Trump's murder of Solemani showed that even active American boots on the ground and the government making the right noises didn't guarantee stability.

So with alJazeera showing the bloody truth about the Israeli regime's attacks, their hold on power has likely felt pretty tenuous after only 5 days, and the back channels between all the members of the Axis of Antidemocracies would have been buzzing as they tried to figure out how far they had to back away from the Israeli regime, and how soon.

So Israel tried this to, if not stop alJazeera from showing the way people can fight for a smidgen of freedom, and the brutality of the Israeli regime, force it to tone it down

How effective it'll be is an open question.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

“I will hang up, do what you want. There is a God.” -

3 ( +3 / -0 )

you would think that after everything Israel has been through in it's history that they would be able to show some empathy for others. That doesn't seem to be the case though.unfortunately

7 ( +14 / -7 )

Israeli strike destroys Gaza building with AP, other media

What the heck?

18 ( +19 / -1 )

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