Sorry Tim for the late reply, I’m only seeing this now.

Israel has consistently said many things, but the words of a belligerent is hardly to be trusted. Israel’s actions, even if inadvertent, or indifferent, have created intolerable conditions for Palestinians in Gaza. As both the occupying power and the one with overwhelming power it has a responsibility to protect civilians. It has failed to do this. No references to Hamas will absolve Israel. Secondly, There is no evidence whatsoever that the hostages are the reason for Israel’s actions, given the largest numbers of hostages released came from negotiations. However repulsive you think it may be to negotiate with Hamas, it is nonetheless a fact that no Israeli military operation has been as successful as negotiations with Hamas. This is without even mentioning the hostages killed by Israel as a result of their own actions. There the argument for the necessity of the war falls apart, on this point alone.

The ‘Israel left Gaza argument’ is only true so far as Israeli battalions and settlers had left in 2005/2006. But to think Gaza was not de facto monitored, contained and circumscribed by Israel by air, land and sea is an absurdity.

Happy to argue this further but we must get past vague talking points and be willing to contest the details of the case in exact and precise terms.