Napalm in Vietnam, Cluster Bombs and White Phosphorus in Gaza

The reports cited by this blogger, if verified, reveal a dark side to IDF strategy.

I realize that the cluster bombs would be meant to give Hamas militants a taste of their own medicine, militants who are trained to turn their own persons into cluster bombs. I realize that those who turn themselves into living cluster bombs and blow themselves up into an explosion of flying flesh and mortal shrapnel at a bus stop or in a restaurant in Tel Aviv or Haifa are lionized in Gaza. But still.

I don't see the point to praying for the wrath of God to be revealed in this world. It is revealed over and over again, prayers or no prayers.

HT: Phil Sumpter, who blogs with great sensitivity on Israeli-Palestinian matters

Comments

[Peter Kirk]

Ironic, isn't it, that the first known suicide killer in Gaza was the Israelite Samson.

[Adam]

The Israeli army is not firing White Phosphorus as an incendiary weapon into Gaza.
Here is a post describing their use as a smoke producing agent essentially to provide cover, enhance the element of surprise etc.

http://confederateyankee.mu.nu/archives/280740.php

[JohnFH]

Adam,

Thanks for the clarification.

Note, however, the comment thread to the post you link to. The problem, as I see it, is this: whatever restraint one exercises in war is very risky. It may cost you dearly. Do you still, as the IDF is now doing, pause the war on a daily basis for the sake of noncombatants?

I think it was a humane decision to do so, even if it will also undoubtedly make it harder to deal a death-blow to Hamas. Even if it will allow the enemy to regroup, and cost you lives. Lives, as in: someone's son, someone's daughter.

[Jon]

The use of WP in Gaza had no tactical value in targeting Hamas, similar with CBUs. These are area weapons not intended for precision targets such as a moving group of Qassam fighters. In short, its like trying to swat a fly with a 12 gauge, you miss your target and hit everything else... This would indicate that their usage was intended to target the general infrastructure and civ pop of Gaza as per IDF operating standards. It looses the battle more than it wins it due to the negative political and moral effects, something highly counterproductive in a counterinsurgency. The IDF, however, consistently tries to fight by conventional means with solely military solutions. This could be as the state is reluctant to make political concessions, and becuase of general attitudes towards the Palestinians of Gaza, that they all voted for Hamas so they are all Hamas and ergo sum a viable target.

[JohnFH]

Hi Jon,

Obviously the IDF military brass disagrees with you about the value of the use of WP for the purposes they have in mind - probably not the ones that you imagine they have in mind.

But maybe you're right and in that case, there is even a chance that the IDF will learn from its mistakes and restrict the use of WP and CBUs further in the future.

It is hard to deny that Israel succeeded in its most pressing goals through its invasion of Gaza. Democracies are not perfect; their institutions are flawed, but they seem to do better in fighting a war than do outfits like Hamas and Hezbollah, which are a cross between a Mafia organization, a terrorist outfit, and a charity network.