By John Q. Hosedrinker 
An Israeli air strike in central Gaza resulted in the deaths of ten people, including six children, while they were waiting to fill water containers. The Israeli military acknowledged a “technical error” caused a munition to fall short of its intended target, initiating a review of the incident. Eyewitnesses reported a drone fired a missile at the crowd near a water tanker. This tragic event occurred amid an escalation of Israeli aerial attacks across the Gaza Strip, with the ICRC reporting a surge in weapon-related injuries and deaths, particularly near aid distribution sites.
Read the original article here
Gaza officials say children killed in strike as Israeli military admits ‘error’. This is where we find ourselves, once again. The grim reality of innocent lives lost in the midst of conflict, particularly the lives of children, is a heavy burden to bear. The Israeli military acknowledging an “error” in a strike that resulted in the deaths of children is a phrase that, unfortunately, has become all too familiar.
The consistent use of the word “error” by the Israeli military, despite high levels of military spending and vast experience with airstrikes, raises serious questions. It’s hard not to wonder if these “mistakes” are simply that, or something more. It’s hard to imagine these “errors” are simply made, and that no one is held accountable.
The perception, at least from some observers, is that this kind of tragedy isn’t given the same weight or attention in Western media. The sentiment seems to be that the world shrugs, says “oops,” and moves on, and that such incidents are not new. This certainly doesn’t offer any solace to the families who are grieving.
The juxtaposition of outrage over family separations at the border with what is perceived as a less critical view of the deaths of Palestinian children is striking. It begs the question of why such incidents are viewed so differently, if both involve the loss of innocent lives. The question becomes, what justification can there possibly be?
The sheer number of children in Gaza at this point only amplifies the tragedy. It’s hard to imagine the emotional and psychological toll these events take on a population, where children are the majority. The reality becomes much more complex than “oops,” and is something that families and communities will forever carry with them.
The seeming nonchalance with which such events are sometimes treated is jarring. It’s a reminder that in times of war, human empathy can easily be eroded, and the value of a life, particularly the life of a child, can be tragically diminished. It’s something that cannot be accepted.
The admission of error doesn’t undo the damage and the pain, and the admission itself is almost irrelevant. The families are left to pick up the pieces. The pain doesn’t go away.
The tendency to dehumanize the victims is evident in many discussions. It’s as if, because of the ongoing conflict, these children are not seen as fully human, and their deaths are not as devastating as they should be.
The fact that the West, particularly Western nations, is often seen as hypocritical in its stance on the situation is a point that’s often brought up. The perception is that the West holds itself to a different standard when it comes to the actions of its allies.
The argument is that the West should have learned from the history of Nazi Germany, and that it should be actively opposing any form of fascism, regardless of its origin. Instead, some believe the West has learned the wrong lesson, choosing to ignore the warning signs of fascism.
The fact that the Israeli military keeps killing children, year after year, is a stark reality. The pattern suggests that these events are not just accidents but possibly something more, perhaps a strategy, and not an anomaly.
The comparison to other conflicts, such as the US war in Afghanistan, highlights the scale of the deaths in Gaza. The numbers are staggering, and the rate of civilian deaths is alarmingly high.
The suggestion that the actions of the Israeli military are not in line with other counter-terrorism operations is an important point. It’s worth noting how the Israeli military is choosing to fight.
The deliberate targeting of those seeking food aid is a particularly disturbing aspect of the conflict. The fact that this is happening, and is being documented, adds to the sense of outrage.
Even those who support Israel’s right to defend itself often find themselves critical of its actions, particularly when it comes to the killing of children. The question is, what happens when you support the larger strategy but still have to account for the innocent lives lost?
The point is that the conflict in Gaza is not just about military strategy. It’s about the human cost of war, and the lives of the innocent. The Israeli military admitting “error” may seem like an acknowledgement of wrongdoing, but it doesn’t bring the children back.