Sir, – In reports on the unfolding horror in the Gaza Strip, one term appears increasingly incongruous: “the Israeli Defence Forces” (“Israel claims to have gained control of Hamas stronghold as bombing over Gaza continues”, News, December 21st).
The number of Palestinian fatalities over the past months now stands at more than 16 times the number of Israeli fatalities on October 7th, and includes more than 8,000 children.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said early on in the campaign that “the emphasis is on damage and not on accuracy”. A recent “mistake” has illustrated that unarmed, shirtless men waving white flags and attempting to surrender fare no better when they appear in the crosshairs of Israeli soldiers.
The Israeli military onslaught is neither a defensive manoeuvre, nor a rescue mission for the hostages; it has moved beyond reprisal and beyond politicide. UN experts warned, over a month ago, that it was “spiralling towards a genocide conducted with 21st century means and methods of warfare”.
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I may regret asking this question, but what level of atrocities will the Israeli military commit before media outlets conclude that “the Israeli Defence Forces” is a grotesque misnomer? – Yours, etc,
BRIAN Ó ÉIGEARTAIGH,
Donnybrook,
Dublin 4.