Ground troops in Gaza. Give me one good reason why this is needed?

[Comrade Tovya]

Jackson50 said:

mrstickball said:If you are referring to the Gaza strip in your argument, Jackson? You must realize that the Gaza Strip is not an independant nation, nor has been given legal status as such, or recognized by any major nation. Because of that, it's hard to say that what Israel is doing to it isn't illegal, or wrong - Given the circumstances of why it's been blocked off.

It's been blocked off because they were being supplied from nearby nations with bombs and guns to go kill more people, and also send suicide bombers across the border to blow themselves up in crowded shopping malls. The Gaza Strip has become a prison because it's citizens have (unfortunately) decided to allow terrorists and criminals control their 'nation' (I use quotations since it's not a nation).

Because of the atrocities comitted against the Israelis by the Palestenian suicide bombers, I must ask you: What better option did Israel have? If they did not wall it off, there would of been countless more bombers to walk into Israel, blowing up civilians - We're seeing the same kind of logic in the rocket strikes. Israel did the most 'humane' thing by walling it off, preventing people from walking in for the kill.

Also, for those deriding what's done: I'd love to see a viable option put on the table on how to solve an issue that involves one side willing to blow themselves up to achieve their goal of the removal of Israel. Last I checked, Europe and America fought a very long war that saw 100,000,000 people (many civilians) die just so certain ethnic groups, and nations wouldn't be systematically butchered. Hamas has the same goals - So why are you giving them a free pass to blow up people without any sort of action being taken to hamper their goals of genocide?

I'm not trying to say that Israel is doing everything perfectly, or is in the right 100% of the time. But war is a very bitter, and brutal thing. No war is right, or just, but sometimes, in the name of self-defense, certain horrible things are the result. The atrocities could EASILY be averted if Hamas would agree to stop the rocket attacks and agree to build a 2-state nation.

I am well aware of the nebulous status of Gaza. Anyway, the status was irrelevant to my point. He said he would be pissed off because people were firing rockets at him. I can agree with that sentiment. I was attempting to convey the conflict from the Palestinian viewpoint. Would you not also be upset if a nation was effectively blockading you from the rest of the world and restricting your fuel and food supplies? You see, I was not referring to the Gaza barrier when I referred to the blockade. The barrier was an understandable measure that has been largely successful in eliminating the threat of suicide bombers leaving Gaza. This has also been witnessed in the West Bank. I was referring Israel's blockade that sealed the border and prohibited exports while concurrently limiting vital imports. In my opinion, Israel must bare the responsibility for ensuring that Gaza receives its supplies considering it controls Gaza's airspace, ports, and most of its land border. I would call the blockade a disproportionate response that has led to a minor or moderate humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It has also been a largely ineffective tactic.  

I do believe that Hamas shoulders a greater share of the blame for the situation. With that being said, Israel has employed some questionable tactics that cannot be glossed over and left unaddressed.

The Israelis secure the airspace and sea around Gaza to prevent weapons from being brought in for Hamas to use to murder Israelis as well, and therefore it serves the same purpose as the checkpoints on the ground (the protection of Israelis, both Jewish and Arab).

And as for questionable tactics, which ones are you referring to?