Warn the Civilians Against Having Hamas Among Them

 
Ten people were reportedly killed this past day in an Israeli drone attack on a school site being used as a shelter. And, if it was a drone attack, that means the Israelis knew what they were attacking. And, if they knew what they were attacking -- a shelter -- then they perhaps suspected Hamas soldiers of hiding there.

We would hope. We would hope it wasn't just an attack on civilians.

And were soldiers found among those who were killed? The CNN story doesn't say. It says children were among the dead, but it doesn't say whether soldiers were among the casualties. It doesn't even say that it is unknown whether soldiers were among the dead.

Or is it just hard to know if they were soldiers? If they aren't in uniforms, how do you distinguish Hamas from civilains?

How?

Every effort should be extended to spare the civilians. The civilians should be warned not to let soldiers stay with them in their quarters. But, how do you stop it, even then? The soldiers are perhaps both intimidating and friendly. The civilians might be too afraid to speak against them. And, once friendships are forged, the civilian might only be too anxious to help his friend, the soldier.

But, the same, drop flyers throughout Gaza -- everywhere residents remain -- warning the people not to let soldiers stay, and suggesting that if they do know soldiers are among them, to flee.

In encouraging Israel to warn the civilians not to let Hamas hide behind them, it does not mean we justify Israel to blow such cites up irregardless of the civilians. We should tell Israel that still is not acceptable.