‘Hamas is killing hundreds’: Head of Khan Younis militia pleads for international community to protect Gazans against Hamas executions
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Hossam al-Astal, a militia leader operating with Israeli support in the Khan Younis area of southern Gaza, demands that the world protect Gaza’s residents from Hamas’s terror, amid a wave of executions and killings carried out by the terror group.
In a video obtained by The Times of Israel, al-Astal thanks US President Trump for his efforts toward the ceasefire, but adds that after saving Gazans from Israeli bombardment, the president should now save them from Hamas.
“Hamas is killing hundreds of children, women, youths and elderly people. Under what charge? We came out of a military war into a war of terrorists,” he declares. “Today, Hamas is waging terror against the people in Gaza, killing with RPGs. Hamas is 100% ISIS,” he says, calling on the international community to protect Gaza’s residents from Hamas.
Adding “a message to the people in Gaza and to the whole world,” al-Astal says his militia is not “seeking to rule Gaza or gain influence.”
“We want to move the people from Hamas’s rule to civilian rule that will serve the residents. We want peace and we want to live. We are not fighting Hamas today in order to rule,” he insists.
In a conversation with The Times of Israel after the video was recorded, al-Astal stresses that his group is continuing to fight Hamas.
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Suddenly, Palestinian lives don't seem to matter to the left.
What changed?
Oh yeah, the Jews can't be blamed for these deaths.
Quite a leap to that conclusion.
Where are the mass protests? Where are the angry denunciations from democratic leaders? What group letters have democratic congressmen signed demanding all aid to Gaza be stopped until Hamas is removed, calling Hamas leaders war criminals etc etc?
I condemn HAMAS and wish the Palestinians well in some restoration of their land. Soon potentially to be a nation.
Where is Greta Thunberg? Where are the flotillas? Where is South Africa's President? Where is the ICJ? Where is the UN? Where are the leaders of most of the world's nations? Oh, wait, the murderers are just declared terrorists, not Israel.
They are antisemites, they only care about Palestinian deaths if they can be blamed on Israel.
“they only care about Palestinian deaths if they can be blamed on Israel.”
That is what their actions tell us.
They just started their terror campaign against the Palestinians. It takes time for people to catch on and start organizing on yet another humanitarian issue.
Further this is not even close to the scale of the war. So it is unrealistic to expect an immediate harsh rebuke.
Your expectations here are ridiculous ... clearly more partisan crap.
To be fair, they may not ALL be antisemites, but one does wonder why Israel is always considered the "BAD GUY" and Hamas only somewhat so.
Well, at least those whose purpose in life seems to be to blame Israel MIGHT be reminded about just who STARTED the war, even though I'm sure they'll continue to ignore Hamas' tactics that caused the civilian deaths.
Their terrorist campaign started when they took power. It's not anything new to the region. Take your own advice and catch up.
They should also be reminded that the UN and other groups provided billions in relief funds to the people in Gaza.
Did they use that money to invest in infrastructure or building up Gaza?
Nope.
They used it to attack Israel.
After the cease-fire and hostage release, Hamas turned its attention to Palestinian to try to regain control. That is a new terrorist campaign. Have you missed this?
A new campaign does not translate into "they never terrorized Palestine before". It refers to an initiative, a change of emphasis, a different objective, etc.
Your post was based on an obtuse assumption.
Yeah it goes back much further than the cease fire put together by President Trump (notice you don't give credit where credit is due). It goes back more than a century and is not a result of "Israeli occupation" and the blundering idiots like to claim. Not to mention it has involved more than just Israel.
Only if you ignore history. This is nothing new. Time to acknowledge fact.
You are arguing a strawman ... arguing that Hamas has engaged in terror all along. No shit, Jeremy. I never suggested otherwise.
Pay attention to what I actually posted. It is obvious (should be) that Hamas, since the cease-fire, has now turned its attention (a new terror campaign) to regaining control over Palestine.
Just read the seed for the first clue:
It looks lie you are contradicting yourself. They are merely returning to what they have always done. Did you honestly think they would change their ideology?
And to purchase the weapons to do so, and to build their defences against retaliation such as tunnels.
The west has always had this hope that someday they would be something other than what they are.
How do people ask for a two-state solution while simultaneously screaming "from the river to the sea?"
I do not consider HAMAS as 'good guys' - what HAMAS is doing is WRONG and will be treated as such given time! Politics of the Middle East aside, when are we going to stop expecting the United States to have an 'immediate' response to every 'detail' in the Middle East? After all, we DO have our own politics (of destruction in the form of a government SHUTDOWN to react to) in front of our eyes!
(deleted)
Exactly, after Japan bombed pearl harbor we should have ended the war as soon as we killed the exact number of Japanese as sailors died, and we should not have bombed Nazi Germany at all since they didn't bomb America.
That we killed millions of Japanese in response to their sneak attack that only killed a couple thousand was a war crime and FDR should have been arrested.
That is not the meaning of proportionality. So don't try it with me. Besides that World War 2 is in the past and "we" probably were too young to comment or express serious speech on the subject. I know I was for sure. We are surely adults of voting and COMMENTING ages during this time today!
Trying to distract from the fact that if, and it is a big if, that reasonable people can SYMPAHTIZE AND EMPATHZE with Israel without going "all-in" on the total destruction of Palestinian civilians is just. . . .
I stand by my support for doing right by Israel and Palestinians-where possible. Neither side should 'wipe its butt' with the other side!
As to the stated Palestinian death count: What can 'anybody' do about the reported Palestinian death count beyond reciting it?
Oh, that's really simple.
Israel is aligned with conservatives in the US. Many liberals in the US will hate anything simply because conservatives like it.
Simply look at the vast number of things they will scream about when conservatives do it but rationalize for themselves.
"We" rationalize (vast number of) things, because vast number of views and public policies involve "us." It's our lives and lifestyles that are being deeply DENIED expression and freedoms, so conservatives can complain all they want. . . "we" will TOO! (We have no choice! When something hurts or distresses. . . cry out—loudly as needed and required!)
For the record, Hamas is relatively new. They first came into existence in December of 1987 during the First Intifada as a side branch of the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt, intended to provide an Islamist alternative to the Fatah party.
Hamas proved to be capable of at least maintaining basic services and were seen as fighting for the people, so, after a bunch more killing, the Palestinians in Gaza elected Hamas as a rejection of Fatah.
Hamas then formed a government with Fatah (2006), but that didn't last, fighting began, they assumed control of the Gaza strip by force and haven't looked back since. They are basically warlords and will foolishly fight for power no matter the cost. They moved quickly in response to the truce to ensure their power was not usurped, hence the killings of people insufficiently grateful for the bounty they have provided. Do I really need a sarcasm tag?
No, it actually is
with me. Besides that World War 2 is in the past and "we" probably were too young to comment or express serious speech on the subject. I know I was for sure.
What does that matter? Principles are principles. They shouldn't change over 80 years,.
"proportionally" is just a concept that has utility at the moment because it can be wielded against Israel. Once it's usefulness as a cudgel against Israel issued up, it gets discarded, never to be used again (except against another enemy of the left). That's all it is.
I don' t think you understand what "rationalize" means.
Failure of critical thinking. Not everybody is intelligent.
Our national principles have changed across 10 months, and will likely continue to do so-resistance notwithstanding. So it does matter. No one is going to be misled about what proportionality means in context of killing and murdering innocent, disabled, infirm, handicapped, the mentally ill, the homeless, pregnant women, old 'broken down' men, women, girls, boys ,orphans, and a host of other non-combatants in a general sense simply because they are 'pest' on the transformed battlefield which is GAZA at large, just to get at HAMAS- all of them we assume are ABLE-BODIED, or at least probably were so before they committed a violent SINGLE act against Israel. Now then, Israel has over-reacted by bombing the "HELL" out of all the Palestinians for two solid years. . . and gained an expected backlash from varying nations.
Right is right and wrong is wrong when it comes to how to treat other people!
rationalize
verb
ra·tio·nal·ize ˈrash-nə-ˌlīz ˈra-shə-nə-ˌlīz
rationalized; rationalizing; rationalizes
Synonyms of rationalize
transitive verb
1: to bring into accord with reason or cause something to seem reasonable : such as
a : to substitute a natural for a supernatural explanation of rationalize a myth
b: to attribute (one's actions) to rational and creditable motives without analysis of true and especially unconscious motives rationalized his dislike of his brother
It's not an exact match, still, It kind of reminds me of my many years in our country, whereas this country ASPIRES to freedom, liberty, and prosperity. . . while erroneously judging and determining whom those freedoms, liberties, and prosperities should be expressed by!
They can question its veracity rather than blindly accepting it. With the mountain of misinformation and disinformation being so widely circulated these days it DOES take a modicum of critical thinking to determine veracity. For example, a few weeks ago I watched on TV news a Palestinian spokesperson say that about 500 Gazan civilians died when an Israeli bomb hit a parking lot at a Gaza City hospital parking lot. That happened soon after the start of the war and it was soon after identified to have been a misguided Islamic Jihad missile. For example, have you EVER heard the number of militants included when the number of Gazan deaths are stated by their Health Ministry? But they make damn sure you know how many children were included - ergo successful psychological war tactics aimed at the rest of the world's naive bleeding hearts to create pressure on Israel.
I think it would be more accurate to say that the US is aligned with Israel, and that the conservatives in the US are more aligned with Israel than the liberals are.
Buzz, your comment would have an easier time of. . .it. . .if you stop trying to tell me-us about our hearts. You don't know if I have a "bleeding heart" at all—nor if I am naïve. Indeed, Israel is clearly a passion of yours, and so you have trust in the state and its conduct of affairs that I can not possess. That is, you FEEL for Israel—personally. I FEEL for innocence in all people of this world as best I can. That stated: HAMAS deserved and deserves what it gets-hiding, or out in the open.
Now, it is true that I do not have an affinity for the Middle East. . .despite how I try to RESPECT its people and their trials and tribulations across the board! At the end of the day, I am merely an observer who comments on news accounts from a great distance away. Probably you are the same?
I don't think I need to defend one side or the other, as these conflicts keep breaking out at any given moment spanning decades-it is clear that these two people really need to MOVE AWAY from each other. . . instead of trying to make peace. But, that is apparently not going to happen!
I can't get fair numbers from the 'fog' of war. Can you?
What we have and get-is what it is.
Casualties of war seem to be reported by the 'ministry' that is charged with reporting them, yes? Also, we have to accept what casualties Israel claims for itself in similar manner!
I can not resist asking this, so forgive me if I am off base: That comment reminds me of the expression: "The tail wagging the Dog." No offense to any individual/s intended.
One good reason for that is probably your never having been there. But I have been to Israel more than once, and as I have posted enough times on NT I have experienced first hand terrorism that Palestinians have committed. But I do not bear distrust of all Palestinians because I also came to know those with whom I would be willing to have as a trusting and trusted friend. But Hamas is a worse case scenario, and I wouldn't shed any tears for their total eradication. As well, don't expect me to have any sympathy whatsoever for those who danced in the streets, shared candies and celerated the Oct 7 massacre.
And do you extend your neutrality to the perpetrators of 9/11? The Palestinian people danced in the streets, shared candies and celebrated that as well. There has NEVER been a report that the Israelis celebrated in such a way no matter who suffered a loss. I'm sure you've never seen any report that the Israeli people have celebrated what the Gazan people have lost. I even doubt that the Jewish people anywhere OPENLY celebrated the execution of Adolph Eichmann, although tthat was worth celebrating. .
Seems to me that the word "alligned" means joining or agreeing with, not controlling.
Well. . . I see the expression as meaning too often having an over-sized voice and sets of conduct and actions in our decision-making presidential selection process (or keeping one for a second term).
I have no patience for HAMAS' actions to date that I hear about from AFAR. They get what they GET and rightly deserve as such.
However, I think about my own family and friends and how I would feel if they were continuously bombed "the hell" out of in a U.S. city or area of the country. I would not like it anymore than Israel liked the SINGLE day destruction by what is called: "HAMAS."
Continuing the above I would feel bad about people dancing in the streets over the death of my family and friends. . . I am not sure at all that I would PROSECUTE or DEATH WISH people who simply DANCED or Tap-danced or even wished me dead. Still, who knows?
Now then, I respect your experiences. . . and to be clear I have denied NOTHING about Israel dealing with the perpetrators against its national security. I simply asked you to consider what you wrote:
"I do not bear distrust of all Palestinians because I also came to know those with whom I would be willing to have as a trusting and trusted friend."
That "because" is important, as it potentially speaks to "Palestinians" no longer healthy or alive due to bombing and exploding buildings and shootings. And the children. . . what can any of us say about the children being injured, disabled, handicapped, and traumatized for life in the region? We should care about them. Why?
Because they are children. It is morally right to care about living children—everywhere.
Buzz,
What does 9/11 have to do with this? Did the U.S. 'execute' its DREADNOUGHT- Shock and Awe attack on IRAQ. . . no it 'pitied' the Iraqi civilians that would be caught in the 'blasts.' Thus, this nation calmed and steeled itself for a foot invasion and proportional acts violence and destruction of an enemy 'within' Iraq.
I have no qualms with 'just desserts' for terrorists - none whatsoever. I hope this message FINALLY clears that up for everybody who needs to know that!
What say you?
So what do you expect me to do about it? Cry myself to sleep over it? I regret it that we live in a world wherin ANY innocent person should be killed. But in this case they are being killed not because of Israel, but because of the war crimes that their parents and relatives and leaders commit and yet the world blames Israel, and that makes me angry, so angry that I don't have room for "caring".
It has to do with the kind of people who danced in the streets, shared candies and celebrated the event. The very same people who danced in the streets, shared candies and celebratred Oct 7.
What say me? I think I have my priorities right.
Buzz, so its morally right to murder other people's innocent children, wives, and old folks? Well, for argument sake: What about the Inverse?
Do you agree with the expression: "It is not the gun (weapon) that kills but the people wielding them?
And from where do you derive this notion that it is "OKAY" to kill somebody for the crimes of another?
What people danced in the streets and celebrated 9/11 occurring? Fools? When did we start considering fools to be valid enough to justify murdering and maiming innocent men, women, and children?
I am pretty sure I would not like anybody to kill me for my parents sins, or kill my parents for my sins!
Isn't that the twisted reasoning of those engaging in genocide? It's a serious question. And you should know why without me stating it! (It's been attempted before.)
High ranking military officers, such as Col. Richard Kemp, have insisted that Israel is more moral, more concerned with the safety of civilians, than ANY army in history. (Think Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Dresden, Tokyo) Israel drops notices - I watched a news video of thousands of notices floating down from the sky, I believe that Israel makes thousands of phone calls and emails warning civilians to abandon an intended target. Hamas tries to prevent them from leaving.
Your statement that I quoted above is due to my opinions here not just aimed at the IDF, so it is contextually aimed at me as well. An NT member who was once a friend not only INSISTED that Israel was committing genocide, he called me IMMORAL for my support of what Israel was doing notwithstanding how hard I had tried to give him good reasons for my opinion. So I then cut him off from any means of contacting me and banned him from all of my 10 groups.
This dialogue is OVER.
You asked. So I asked/answered. I will respect your end to thisdialogue starting NOW!
It’s sickening how dems faked such concern for palestinians, and now, nothing.
Nobody is defending HAMAS in here that I can see-you are out of on a limb hoping 'anybody' will buy your 'tree.'
Did i say anything about dems defending hamas?
I am concerned for Palestinians and Israelites too, but I refuse to get caught up any longer in any of their politics! Let them heal themselves-all of them!
What I wish to 'know' is where is Allah, Jehovah, and Jesus as the Middle East is convulsing over and over again. These people have to recognize that foreigners and strangers-servants of their God/s worldwide make trips to their "holy land". . . and yet all they do is fight like. . . well, I won't say.
I wasn’t referring to you in my comment, just some dems in general. What i wish to know is why some dems were very concerned about palestinian deaths, palestinian children starving, etc. when israel was involved, but now that palestinians (hamas) are killing palestinians, those same dems are silent.
How much time has passed since this 'happening' that you are invoking occurred? Were democrats (and republicans too) expected to 'drop' everything else that is PRIORITIZED and in 'dizzying' fashion race to microphones and interviews to express 'thoughts and prayers' - well, we know how much that works right now.
Not at all.
All this. . . points out out significant thing: Where is God in all this bloodshed? The so-called, "holy land" has embarrassed itself and its God/s.
The overwhelming silence from democrat leaders shows us how little integrity they actually have. I’m sure the Palestinian health ministry will give us the daily death toll like they did when the could blame Israel for the deaths, right?
[deletedAnd] [✘] just for giggles, I don't see the GOP condemning HAMAS beyond their own self-interest in implying "told you so". . . well, we can see what HAMAS is doing and it is wrong, wrong, wrong. The question for you is this: What good does it do the rank and file Palestinians if we simply SEE the problem and can't do a damn thing about it?!
The last thing those two people need is more "hope and prayers" - the whole region is 'holy' after all, eh? Where is God/Allah?
That's nothing new. We all knew their integrity was in the crapper long before Gaza attacked Israel on October 7th.
I wonder if Harris will start a go fund me to raise money to buy HAMAS ammo.
Why?! Are HAMAS hungry, dying, destitute? Oh, some are here for the 'applause.'
I think a bigger concern for whatever is going on over there is. . . it blows up the newly started ceasefire—one reason or another.
Sounds like a turf war to me.
The control of Gaza by Hamas while the war had been active had dissolved, and various "families" had stepped into the power vacuum. Now that they no longer have the foreign presence, Hamas is trying to reassert control over these disparate groups. If the watching world truly had compassion, they would make efforts to stop Hamas. I don't think that the governing structures of the surrounding areas have the money or the inclination to stick their collective pocketbooks into the fray.
I don't think that major armament aid is flowing into Gaza for Hamas. A large part of the protests against the war were about sending military aid to Israel. The protesters didn't agree with that, or the seemingly indiscriminate killing of the Palestinians.
I guess no one wants to try and stop it.
I hate to write this way, but I do not see how not to do so: You can not help some people! Stupid is as Stupid does-in which case! HAMAS just wears out its 'welcome' - everywhere it appears. Not that I care/d about HAMAS anyway. What HAMAS did to Israel on October 7 was wrong. (I saw uncensored videos of it on Youtube.)
Yeah, I don’t disagree. It’s just, you see a lot of “concern” for the Palestinian people from all quarters. But the few who actually try to help by bringing in supplies are treated like lunatics or criminals.
And here, and in our media, idiots are keeping score about who is disapproving or not.
The people who are bringing in supplies are doing so at risk of human (staff) losses from sniper fire or bombing/s as near as I can tell from the accounts. As to that second paragraph. . . all I can do is laugh (to keep from crying). Why some people choose to be hardliners I can understand, but even a wife can at some point have a calming effect on her husband (and vice-versa), but no comfort so far can change the 'dead-theory' expressed by some of the conservatives here on NT.