by oldedude on November 24, 2023 8:46 am
od - I'm aware of all of that. I couldn't fire a missile into a building knowing that there are probably civilians, including children there. There are a lot of people who could do that, though, maybe even you. I think it's primitive and barbaric.
I'm not trying to be a dick. My emphasis is all a matter of cost: benefit ratio. And nothing in war is clearly defined.
You used the term "probable." I would use the term "assumed" (a higher level, and unconfirmed) in this case.
You make sense regarding trying to protect civilian lives at all costs. Hamas knows that also. They are using those civilian lives as a weapon of war. That is one of the reasons the IDF was trying to get people out of Gaza, to mitigate those deaths. They have been trying to take that weapon out of the hands of Hamas, knowing there will be inflated numbers of civilian deaths regardless of the true statistics.
So the IDF has to think of two things. They don't have the luxury of "all civilian deaths regardless of the benefit." And yet, they need to think of the civilian perceived, real, and "reported" number of civilians killed. I think they've done a good job regardless of the "reported" losses (which are still grossly inflated).
Those guiding the missiles, or dropping the bombs are given a target. Period. The cost of civilian lives is handled (in our case) on a pentagon/ administrative staff level. Sometimes the president is in on the decision. I don't know how IDF works.
Let's say the IDF knows that if they bomb under a certain building, the war will end. It's assumed there are ~100 civilians held hostage in the building above. It would take the IDF a major regiment (~2000 troops) to attack the building above and get to the heavily armed section below. Cost to the IDF. Severe. What do you do?
Last thing. I appreciate us sitting down and talking about this. So thank you for that.
by Donna on November 24, 2023 10:32 am
You're welcome, od. And thanks for your thoughtful response.
The reason I never considered enlisting is because I didn't ever want to be put in a position where I had to kill people, especially civilians and especially children. Had I been drafted, I would have easily qualified as a consciencious objector because everyone in my family would have vouched for me that I even avoid killing bugs.
To answer your last question, I think that protecting the lives of civilians should always be top priority no matter how difficult or dangerous a situation it creates for military personnel because at least they're able to defend themselves.
by oldedude on November 24, 2023 1:51 pm
Thanks again. And your answer didn't shock me at all. I believe that's a core value for you. Which is a pretty good one to have. Kudos.
by Donna on November 25, 2023 8:14 am
Thanks, od.
