It's very easy for us car enthusiasts to sit comfortably at home and decide who is guilty of war crimes, without knowing all the facts (obviously I also don't know all the facts). However, there is some pertinent context I think you may be overlooking:Beany wrote: Thu Feb 20, 2025 1:49 pm The indiscriminate nature of Israels attack using everyday devices that in normal context wouldn't be considered wartime materials is what makes it a war crime.
- Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation, at least according to most Western governments (and several Middle Eastern ones as well).
- Hezbollah, like Hamas, is constitutionally committed to literally eliminating (not coexisting with) the State of Israel.
- On 8 October 2023 Hezbollah recommenced firing rockets indiscriminately at Israeli targets. One such rocket killed 12 children.
- I hope nobody is disputing the right of any country to defend itself against terrorists, subject to complying with international law when doing so.
- If you want to discuss legality, it would be helpful if we can agree that virtually all wars involve civilian casualties. Not many people are disputing that the pager attack was primarily targetting Hezbollah's military operatives. In my view this negates your allegation that it was indiscriminate. Minimising civilian casualties is particularly difficult when, like Hamas, Hezbollah is embedded (by choice) in the civilian population.
- Finally, it's true that (again like Hamas, and indeed the Mafia) Hezbollah also conducts some 'civilian' social and political activities. Hezbollah itself does not recognise a distinction between its military and political wings.
Please don't interpret the above as suggesting that I am in any way indifferent to civilian suffering on any side.
Jonathan
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