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Questions tagged [2023-israel-hamas-war]

On Oct 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel. Israel subsequently declared war on Hamas, vowing to wipe the group out of the Gaza Strip. Use with [israel], [gaza] and [hamas], depending on the subject

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What is Hamas' strategy in attacking Israel?

Its clear from current events that Hamas can give Israel a bloody nose; it can fire thousands of missiles and send in fighters to kill lots of people. That is more than many expected them capable of, ...
Paul Johnson's user avatar
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Why is the Muslim world focusing on Israel's conflict with the Palestinians, yet expresses virtually no interest in the Uighurs?

All over the world, we witness public marches in support of the Palestinians from Gaza. Yet the Muslim Uighurs (and Myanmar Rohingya) attract virtually no attention, in fact Muslim leaders explicitly ...
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Is the Israeli "complete siege" on Gaza strip a war crime?

Reading this from BBC: On Monday, Israel declared a "complete siege" on the territory, saying electricity, food, fuel and water would be cut off. Is this a war crime or illegal in any way ...
Mocas's user avatar
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38 votes
8 answers
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Why shut down Al Jazeera in Israel?

According to the BBC: Israel's government has moved to shut down the operations of the Al Jazeera television network in the country, branding it a mouthpiece for Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin ...
Ahmed Tawfik's user avatar
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34 votes
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According to pro-Palestinian sources, does Hamas indeed embed itself into civilian areas (to complicate IDF operations)?

It doesn't take long reading about Gaza events and civilian casualties before finding examples of the pro-Israel narrative that those casualties are largely caused by Hamas' propensity to keep its ...
Italian Philosophers 4 Monica's user avatar
33 votes
6 answers
9k views

Has there been any significant pro-Palestinian protest critical of Hamas?

I've spent quite a bit of time getting to know the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, and all this time I've only seen a few cases of pro-Palestinians criticizing Hamas for being part of the problem, most of what ...
Pat's user avatar
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5 answers
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Why is it that South Africa specifically is taking Israel to the ICJ on claims of genocide?

As per recent news, South Africa has brought to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) a claim that Israel has genocidal intent in its 2023 war in Gaza: South Africa seeks to prove that the ...
Ahmed Tawfik's user avatar
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28 votes
6 answers
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How easy would it be to distinguish between Hamas fighters and non combatants?

I remember this discussion that it was practically impossible to distinguish between Taliban fighters and non-combatant civilians because they were not organized like a traditional army - the groups ...
wi2ard's user avatar
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27 votes
2 answers
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Why did Israel invade the Gaza strip from the north and not the south?

Given Israel's stated goal in the war is destruction of Hamas, why did they attack the Gaza strip from the North instead of from the South? The latter seems more sensible since taking Rafah first ...
Allure's user avatar
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23 votes
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Why did Israel refuse Zelensky's visit? (October 2023)

I'm trying to understand this news Israel turned down Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky's request to make a solidarity visit to the country in the wake of Hamas' attack, telling him that the &...
Cantor Dust Drachen's user avatar
22 votes
7 answers
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What alternatives do supporters of ceasefire consider for Israel rather than eliminating Hamas?

153 countries have voted for the ceasefire, beside the governments, many people around the world demonstrate against the war and asks Israel to bring an end to the war. My question is that, what ...
Amir reza Riahi's user avatar
21 votes
5 answers
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Why have more countries cut the diplomatic ties with Israel than with Russia?

Many countries (Bahrain, Jordan, Turkey, Bolivia, Chile and Colombia, Honduras, maybe others) have recalled their ambassadors from Israel. I cannot find any country that has recalled their ambassador ...
Yulia V's user avatar
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4 answers
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Why did Russia and China veto the recent UN resolution for a ceasefire?

Reuters reported that Russia and China vetoed the UN resolution proposed by US for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Given that their apparent stance was pro-ceasefire recently (just like the ...
An_Elephant's user avatar
19 votes
5 answers
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Why won't Israel allow more aid into Gaza?

Israel needs to do more to allow fuel and other aid into Gaza, the U.S. said on Tuesday as Israel's offensive against Hamas in southern areas of the Palestinian enclave intensified. "The level of ...
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18 votes
9 answers
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Why are there so many pro-Palestinian protestors in the United States?

Amid the recent rise in pro-Palestinian protests in the United States, most recently one interrupting the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, I've begun to wonder: why has there been such a ...
Zibbobz's user avatar
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What reasons has Israel given for limiting food supplies to Gaza?

According to the UN special rapporteur on the right to food Michael Fakhri: Israel is intentionally starving Palestinians and should be held accountable for war crimes – and genocide, according to ...
Erwan's user avatar
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Implications of Israel taking corpses and damaging cemeteries

Apparently Israel has been digging up Palestinian graves and taking the corpses (at least temporarily), see: Reuters (end of article) Telegraph (paywall, could read only first sentence - apparently ...
Nobody's user avatar
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Are there any wars other than the 2023 Israel-Hamas War that are named after a country and a political party?

Background The 2023 Israel–Hamas war is referred to in the Western media as "the Israel-Hamas war". All Western commentators I've seen, including military experts, journalists, and political ...
TheScream's user avatar
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17 votes
5 answers
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Why protest against the war in Gaza on the campus of Columbia University?

According to Wiki: An ongoing occupation protest conducted by pro-Palestinian students is occurring at Columbia University in New York City. The protests began on April 17, 2024, when pro-Palestinian ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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Did Iraq declare outright support for Hamas after Oct 7?

According to Le Monde they did: But a quick search didn't find any statements. So who in Iraq declared support for Hamas, and in what terms?
Make StackExchange GREAT 4ever's user avatar
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2 answers
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How did Arab media report the events of the Hamas attack on Israel?

The Wiki article in Arabic about October 7th (linked is a Google translation) is notable for portraying the attack as a purely military operation and avoids any discussions of the crimes against ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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16 votes
6 answers
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Did Israel provide a way for Hamas to surrender?

Israel has a vastly more capable military than Hamas and it's inevitable that they'll eventually crush them in the battlefield and takeover Gaza. But did Israel express any desire for Hamas to just... ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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How does Israel define the "destruction of Hamas"?

French President Emmanuel Macron warned Saturday that Israel’s aim of eliminating the Palestinian terror group Hamas risked unleashing a decade of war. Achieving the “total destruction of Hamas” would ...
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15 votes
7 answers
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What is Israel's strategy in invading the Gaza strip?

Israel has recently increased its long-standing 16 year blockade of the Gaza strip and it looks like they're planning a counter-invasion. But what's the stated purpose of this attack? Is Israel trying ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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Why did Nicaragua file a case against only Germany at the ICJ?

On Monday April 8, Nicaragua filed a case against Germany at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing it of “facilitating the commission of genocide” against Palestinians through its military ...
machine_1's user avatar
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15 votes
1 answer
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Who made public "Jericho Wall" -- the blueprint that Hamas followed on Oct 7?

According to the NYT, a Hamas-sourced document codenamed "Jericho Wall" was somehow made public. It described in a fair bit of detail how the Hamas attack on Oct 7 eventually unfolded. (In ...
Make StackExchange GREAT 4ever's user avatar
13 votes
4 answers
6k views

How can an International Court of Justice order to stop the war in Gaza be enforced?

In the expected upcoming case, where South Africa accuses Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, if South Africa wins and the court rules to stop the war, how can such an order be ...
Mocas's user avatar
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13 votes
3 answers
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What are the actual demands by Yemeni "Houthis" for stopping the Bab Al-Mandab attacks?

Recently, Yemeni forces identified in international media as Houthis/Houthi rebels, have attacked or otherwise strong-armed commercial vessels to turn back from trying to enter the Red Sea via the Bab ...
einpoklum's user avatar
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13 votes
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Does Egypt have an obligation under international law to reopen the Rafah crossing, even if they don't like who's controlling the Gaza side of it?

I'm curious if there's an argument to be made that Egypt must reopen the Rafah crossing on their side (to allow humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza), even if they don't like who's controlling the other ...
Make StackExchange GREAT 4ever's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
761 views

Are there any polls on what the citizens of Israel would like to be done to Gaza in response to the recent attack?

Specifically I'm curious how many people support: Minimal efforts to secure the border / build a taller fence Bombing Hamas headquarters but not much else Land-based invasion to eliminate Hamas ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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12 votes
4 answers
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Is there clear public evidence for Netanyahu's assertion that Hamas is stealing the food aid at gunpoint, enough to affect the civilians in Gaza?

In a recent interview, Netanyahu said: “When we started out putting in the humanitarian convoys, we said there will be one problem. And that is what if Hamas tries to steal the food and the drugs ...
Make StackExchange GREAT 4ever's user avatar
11 votes
6 answers
5k views

Why isn't Syria treating Israel's attack in Damascus as an open act of war?

Israel allegedly attacked an Iranian consulate building in Damascus recently. Launching airstrikes on another country's territory without their permission is presumably an unambiguous act of war. Why ...
Allure's user avatar
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11 votes
3 answers
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Examples of military operations that Israel could have followed after October 7?

Many of those who have little tolerance for Hamas, or even agree that it should be dismantled, still disagree with the way Israel is doing it. While the shortcomings/evils of the Israeli actions in ...
Morisco's user avatar
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11 votes
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How many hostages has Israel freed through direct military operations (rather than negotiations) after Oct. 7?

I haven't followed the war that closely in the past couple of months. I understand Israel now controls, or at least completely surrounded most cities in Gaza, except Rafah, and they are preparing to ...
Make StackExchange GREAT 4ever's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
4k views

Netanyahu has vowed not to "repeat the mistake of Oslo" - what is the "mistake" he is talking about?

A Guardian report says: After a phone call with Biden on Tuesday, Netanyahu said that there was “disagreement” between the allies over “the day after Hamas”. The Israeli leader said he hoped “we will ...
sfxedit's user avatar
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11 votes
3 answers
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What is the Hamas stance on the recognition of Palestinian state by Spain and Ireland?

Spain and Ireland (and possibly other countries) prepare to recognize the Palestinian state - this recognition however amounts to recognition of the Palestinian Authority, which western governments ...
Morisco's user avatar
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11 votes
2 answers
632 views

Are there more reliable sources for the death toll in the Israel–Hamas war than the Gaza Health Ministry?

On 25 October, US President Joe Biden stated he had "no confidence" in the death totals reported by the Gaza Health Ministry.[62][63] In response, Human Rights Watch stated that after three ...
user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
529 views

Why are the IDF instituting humanitarian pauses against Netanyahu's wishes?

Yesterday, it was announced that the IDF would be introducing humanitarian pauses in fighting along one of the roads into Rafah, to allow more aid to flow into Gaza. What intrigues me about this is ...
F1Krazy's user avatar
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Palestinian politicians speaking against Hamas

From Ex-Hamas minister: 'People in Gaza say that Sinwar and his men destroyed us': According to a Shin Bet investigation, Yousef Almansi, the former Hamas communications minister, criticized the ...
Morisco's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
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Are there any international laws / treaties that regulate the use of AI to coordinate air strikes?

It has recently been revealed that Israel has been heavily relying on an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system, Lavender, to form kill lists and select air strike targets. The system has been subject to ...
Ben Cohen's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
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What does Russia have to gain by abstaining during the latest UN resolution?

The resolution, introduced by Malta on Wednesday, also called for “corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days” to safeguard civilians, particularly children, ambassador ...
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10 votes
4 answers
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Is mutilation, sexual assault and kidnappings of minors a part of Hamas' ideology or do they oppose it? [closed]

According to this recent CNN video Hamas terrorists engaged in sexual assault and mutilation of their victims, among them 13-14 year old girls. Among the 240 people kidnapped, there are at least 33 ...
For Shani Nicole Louk's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
835 views

Have any Israeli leaders condemned calls for genocide and expulsion?

I recently came across this question on this website which set me thinking about the converse. There are many examples of prominent Israeli personalities, from politics, military and media, calling ...
Ben Cohen's user avatar
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10 votes
2 answers
568 views

Has Fox News shown any footage from inside Gaza, esp. from a civilian perspective?

Most media in the US and Europe (which is often desribed as "left-wing" from a right-wing perspective) appears to be striking for some kind of balance in their reporting of the recent ...
Make StackExchange GREAT 4ever's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
1k views

How can Israeli compliance with the Geneva Conventions be tracked in Gaza in the coming weeks?

Article 51 of Protocol I to the Geneva Convention, (protocol to which Israel is not a signatory) puts the following constraints on attacks in civilian areas: Article 51 — Protection of the civilian ...
Italian Philosophers 4 Monica's user avatar
9 votes
5 answers
7k views

Why did the U.S. veto the UN ceasefire resolution?

On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the U.N Charter on the situation in Gaza. Article 99 allows the secretary-general to “bring ...
machine_1's user avatar
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9 votes
4 answers
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Are the threats made by members of the USA's Senate to the International Criminal Court chief prosecutor an abuse of power?

A number of United States senators have signed a letter accusing the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, of politicised attack on Israel as an excuse for issuing arrest ...
Ahmed Tawfik's user avatar
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9 votes
3 answers
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Is there a plausible military purpose for the recent use of white phosphorus in Gaza?

news agencies and human rights groups have suggested Israel may have used white phosophorus in Gaza last week (the week starting Oct 8): https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/12/israel-white-phosphorus-...
user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
864 views

"Ceasefire" vs "Hamas has to go" - has any country/international body proposed a different compromise on the Israel/Hamas conflict of 2023?

The prosecution of Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza has resulted in two opposite responses to the human suffering on both sides: "Cease fire, now". This is popular with large ...
Italian Philosophers 4 Monica's user avatar
9 votes
3 answers
1k views

Why won't Israel take a more aggressive measure against the Houthis in Yemen?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houthi_involvement_in_the_2023_Israel%E2%80%93Hamas_war On 19 October 2023, the U.S. Navy warship USS Carney shot down three land-attack cruise missiles and several ...
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