Having spent some time in combat zones myself, I can say one thing with great certainty: War zones are dangerous places. You can get hurt or killed. And it’s not just active combatants that can get hurt or killed; see Dresden or Berlin, Tokyo, or Nagoya, in 1945 – or, yes, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Non-combatants have been getting hurt or killed in warfare since the first primitive man picked up a rock and chucked it at a neighbor. It’s sad and tragic, but it happens, and not even the precision of modern weapons and targeting systems are perfect in reducing this collateral impact.
In another example of this, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that an Israeli airstrike had unintentionally hit an aid convoy in Gaza, killing seven aid workers.
Israel’s military voiced “sincere sorrow” over the incident, which ratcheted up international pressure for steps to ease the disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza nearly six months into Israel’s siege and invasion of the Palestinian enclave.
The strike on the World Central Kitchen convoy killed citizens of Australia, Britain and Poland as well as Palestinians and a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.WCK, which was founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, said they had been travelling in two armoured cars emblazoned with the charity’s logo and another vehicle.
“Unfortunately in the past day there was a tragic event in which our forces unintentionally harmed non-combatants in the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.
“This happens in war. We are conducting a thorough inquiry and are in contact with the governments. We will do everything to prevent a recurrence.”
The Biden administration wasted no time, initiating the pearl-clutching almost immediately:
The United States, Israel’s closest ally, said that there was no evidence Israel deliberately targeted the aid workers but that it was outraged by their deaths and Israel had an obligation to ensure aid workers in Gaza were not harmed.
The White House said it expected a broad and impartial investigation to be carried out with appropriate accountability.
Yes, an investigation is appropriate and should be carefully and completely carried out, and any findings built into practice to avoid any such mishaps in the future. If anyone involved with launching or targeting this strike is found to be negligent or, worse, to have acted deliberately, then it’s certain the Israeli Defense Forces military justice system can deal with it.
But at the same time, this was unintentional. The aid workers were not targeted. And Israel still faces a callous and brutal foe hiding in the ruins of Gaza, a foe who has committed unspeakable atrocities and who, given the chance, would do so again.
Previously on RedState: Is Hamas in Gaza Collapsing? Signs Point to Yes.
Military Experts Warn of Extreme Dangers to American Troops Building Floating Pier off Gaza Coast
That must be Israel’s primary focus, until Hamas is, as the saying goes, “no longer a factor.”
This was a tragic event. But Israel does not hold all the responsibility here. These aid workers were no doubt dedicated and showed courage in entering an active war zone, but it was nevertheless an active war zone. Given the callous disregard which Hamas shows towards not only Israelis but towards their own people, these aid workers had to be aware that the area they entered was even more dangerous than it may have been in a more conventional conflict.
Even the most precise targeting and weapons systems are not perfect. In wars, people get hurt, and no matter how carefully any force targets their foes, there will be innocents who are also hit. Hamas, further, has the bad habit of hiding in hospitals and schools, making targeting orders of magnitude more difficult. Israel has shown unprecedented care in targeting, even using “roof knocker” warning shots to get people to leave a building before it is destroyed.
Israel should and will complete this investigation. If any liability is determined, they should and will deal with it. In the meantime, Israel must finish the job, and remove every last member of Hamas entirely from the mortal coil.
