Israel's Defense Minister:
"Expanding the operation this morning will increase the pressure on the Hamas murderers *and also on the population in Gaza*"
Intentionally harming civilians as a means of political pressure ("terrorism") implicates several international crimes. 🧵
"Expanding the operation this morning will increase the pressure on the Hamas murderers *and also on the population in Gaza*"
Intentionally harming civilians as a means of political pressure ("terrorism") implicates several international crimes. 🧵
Comments
This intent also indicates that expected harm to civilians is clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct *military* advantage anticipated.
Killings committed as part of such an attack are murders.
Mass killing committed as part of such an attack is extermination.
This 'general' intent related to the act itself is distinct from the 'specific' intent to thereby destroy the group in whole or in part.
The current campaign appears intended to destroy a substantial part of the group in order to coerce, punish, and displace the remainder of the group.
He will no doubt be the subject of a future ICC arrest warrant.
But civilians in Gaza cannot wait.
These crimes must end now.