I read lots of articles, going a bit deeper than CNN. But of course, yes, I read it. (Reply #106)

AloeVera

(2,130 posts)

106. I read lots of articles, going a bit deeper than CNN. But of course, yes, I read it.

Sun Jan 5, 2025, 07:54 PM

Sunday

Last edited Sun Jan 5, 2025, 08:27 PM - Edit history (1)

Israel claims the looters are Hamas. But there is tons of evidence - if you care to look - that that is not true. Nor does it make logical sense for Hamas to be looting right under the noses of the IDF and expose themselves to being killed.

As I've said in my Post # 14 in this thread, all evidence points to the looters being organized, armed criminal gangs and powerful families or "clans", some with their own militias. The situation has deteriorated into chaos and violence and retribution. Why did it come to this?

First UNRWA was knee-capped. Their expertise and infrastructure was crucial in delivering aid. Then, since the fall, Israel drastically reduced aid allowed in to a trickle - less than a tenth of pre-war levels. Then, after taking control of the Philadelphi corridor, Israel closed the Rafah crossing and re-routed trucks to Israeli crossings, where severe restrictions were imposed. Then Israel began killing the policemen guarding the trucks - claiming that they were Hamas. It bombed or destroyed aid distribution centres closest to the crossings - thus ensuring that aid trucks would have to make long and perilous treks to distribution centres.

So, as the starvation and need deepened, criminal gangs and clans took advantage of the situation. It's interesting that most of the looting takes place in areas that the IDF controls and that are witnessed by drones if not by IDF personnel. As one UN official said, he had seen armed looters within "spitting distance of an Israeli tank". Why doesn't the IDF stop it? Here is an eye-opening take by the head of the private transportation association in Gaza. From an NPR program titled "A closer look at how armed gangs steal tons of aid in Gaza". You can find lots more reporting on this issue online.

-- snip--

BATRAWY [ NPR]: The looters, some of them known criminals before the war, have become organized gangs, armed with assault rifles and knives. Nahed Shohaybr, head of Gaza's private transportation association, lost trucks in the most recent looting. Some of his drivers were hospitalized.

NAHED SHOHAYBR: (Non-English language spoken).

BATRAWY: He tells NPR over the phone, "Israel is protecting the gangs." He says, "Israel is trying to force Hamas to surrender by starving Gaza." Shohaybr has had four drivers killed by these gangs in recent months. The Washington Post and Financial Times reported this week on a leaked U.N. memo saying gangs may be benefiting from a passive, if not active, benevolence or protection from Israeli forces. Spokesman at the U.N. Stephane Dujarric had this to say.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

STEPHANE DUJARRIC: The reports - the idea that the Israeli forces may be allowing looters or not doing enough to prevent it is frankly fairly alarming, given the responsibilities of Israel as the occupying power to ensure that humanitarian aid is distributed safely.

BATRAWY: Israel's military did not answer NPR's questions on why it hasn't taken action against looting in areas of its control.

SHOHAYBR: (Non-English language spoken).

BATRAWY: Shohaybr says Gaza's civil police is able to provide protection to his drivers and the roads they take, but he notes Israel is killing police across Gaza. Israel says the police are part of Hamas, the group that attacked Israel last year and that the military is trying to eliminate. Israeli officials say any restrictions on aid are to prevent Hamas from benefiting, and that Hamas - whose leaders are also wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes - is behind the looting. But just days after the U.N. convoy was attacked, Hamas security forces killed around 20 of the suspected looters. Here's Dujarric of the U.N. again.

--snip--

Bolding mine.

People are free of course to believe Israel, evidence or logic - morality even - be damned. The willful blindness of its supporters has been going on for years. Not sure if even this horror in Gaza will make any difference.

https://www.npr.org/2024/11/21/nx-s1-5196553/a-closer-look-at-how-armed-gangs-steal-tons-of-aid-in-gaza

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Israel considering limiting humanitarian aid to Gaza after Trump's inauguration [View all] BumRushDaShow Jan 4 OP

Sounds claudette Jan 4 #1

I bet they have a lot planned for the people of Gaza when trump gets in office. Autumn Jan 4 #2

Yep, it's obvious they want them gone. Seaside villas anyone? brush Jan 4 #76

Here you go Michigan Islamists,... magicarpet Jan 4 #3

It's not really a gift . . Richard D Jan 4 #5

Yes, I do. sinkingfeeling Jan 4 #7

So do I. That money as humanitarian aid to the Palestinians would've... brush Jan 4 #77

No it wouldn't have Beastly Boy Sunday #103

Consider swing state Michigan. The Arab/Muslim vote that went to trump... brush Monday #114

My point is that any humanitarian aid to the Palestinians would have benefited the wrong Palestinians. Beastly Boy Monday #117

Good points but I have to say we're not talking about the sharpest tools in the shed... brush Monday #118

You do realize the gloves come off on Jan. 21. That was the point of the Op. paleotn Jan 4 #22

Is it a problem to disagree with Biden? We are not a cult, you know. Scrivener7 Jan 4 #39

Muslims iemanja Sunday #92

Israel is considering limiting humanitarian aid to Gaza drmeow Jan 4 #4

Humanitarian aid to Gaza . . . Richard D Jan 4 #6

Bingo. Archae Jan 4 #9

Israel is in control of Gaza. They have done nothing to stop the gangs taking aid. Lonestarblue Jan 4 #10

They've opened fire on gangs trying to forcibly attack and raid convoys NickB79 Jan 4 #11

Exactly, and the real question that everyone needs to ask . . . Richard D Jan 4 #13

100% spot on. Unladen Swallow Jan 4 #32

I despise gaslighting with a passion. AloeVera Jan 4 #33

if you don't like it . . . Richard D Jan 4 #35

Gotta keep tabs on you. AloeVera Jan 4 #37

That's funny . . . Richard D Jan 4 #82

"Parting is such sweet sorrow". AloeVera Jan 4 #83

If you break it you own it. Eko Jan 4 #71

No reason not to since "making Palestinians disappear" is their unstated policy. paleotn Jan 4 #18

Unstated policy . . . Richard D Jan 4 #29

Been listening to the rhetoric and antics of his whack-a-doodle cabinet over the years? paleotn Jan 4 #43

Add to it Hamas' STATED policy to annihilate the State of Israel, Beastly Boy Jan 4 #51

Israel is not in control of Gaza. Beastly Boy Jan 4 #45

You mean by the Israel-approved clans and criminal gangs? AloeVera Jan 4 #23

I'm highly attuned to gas-lighting . . . Richard D Jan 4 #36

Plagiarism and DARVO too... AloeVera Jan 4 #38

Likewise... Richard D Jan 4 #52

Something tells me no one other than you means anything of the sort. Not even the aforementioned clans. Beastly Boy Jan 4 #53

Proof? yankee87 Jan 4 #31

A few. Beastly Boy Jan 4 #58

Do you approve of starving people to death? iemanja Sunday #94

Do you? Beastly Boy Sunday #104

Shouldn't that be "Israel considering starving the remaining people in Gaza after Trump inauguration"? sinkingfeeling Jan 4 #8

Exactly. That's the reality on the ground there. brush Jan 4 #80

Shocker nowforever Jan 4 #12

Who to believe? The UN or "there is no limit on the amount of aid that can enter Gaza" wink wink nudge nudge -COGAT? AloeVera Jan 4 #14

COGAT is COGnitive Abilities Test. What does tRump impairment have to do with your post? Bernardo de La Paz Jan 4 #24

COGAT lol. AloeVera Jan 4 #26

You wrote COGAT, not me. I still don't know what you mean by it. But yeah, I get you want to call me stupid. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jan 4 #44

I'm very confused. AloeVera Jan 4 #46

Thanks for clarifying. I had no idea that was an Israeli agency and a search on COGAT only came up with the test Bernardo de La Paz Jan 4 #48

Mahalo. AloeVera Jan 4 #50

Compared to now???? no_hypocrisy Jan 4 #15

I know, right? AloeVera Jan 4 #20

You ain't seen nothing yet. paleotn Jan 4 #25

Good job, Gaza Bros. paleotn Jan 4 #16

You're welcome Michigan. Well done. Sleep well. ZonkerHarris Jan 4 #17

They haven't slept for 15 months, I wager. AloeVera Jan 4 #19

This is what they voted for when they refused to back Biden. Muslim Americans chose this path. ZonkerHarris Jan 4 #21

Truly... AloeVera Jan 4 #28

Who am I to argue with our Muslim American Palestinian voters? They know what they wanted and they got it. ZonkerHarris Jan 4 #40

You stopped caring about genocide because you didn't like how people affected by it voted? AloeVera Jan 4 #42

It was not the people of Gaza that voted. It was their relatives and friends in the USA. ZonkerHarris Jan 4 #47

Most of the Muslims in Michigan are Lebanese. AloeVera Jan 4 #49

Credit where credit is due Beastly Boy Jan 4 #63

Except the majority - 58% of those Lebanese are... Christians! AloeVera Jan 4 #66

Ummm... didn't you just say, and I quote, "Most of the Muslims in Michigan are Lebanese"? Beastly Boy Jan 4 #68

I learn new things all the time, as you do too. AloeVera Jan 4 #69

Not only did I not read the democraphic study you attached, Beastly Boy Jan 4 #70

I can't figure you out. AloeVera Jan 4 #73

Frankly, I know nothing of your character, so I have not the slightest interest in slurring it. Beastly Boy Sunday #109

I knew this. I think they're less than 58% these days, but I knew they were Lebanese. LeftInTX Jan 4 #75

Interesting. AloeVera Jan 4 #78

Yep LeftInTX Jan 4 #72

And Muslim Americans voted to make it vastly worse. Morons. paleotn Jan 4 #27

yup. But they sure showed me. Taught me a huge lesson. They should be happy I learned it right? ZonkerHarris Jan 4 #41

The lesson: They got under your skin. I'm serious. That was the lesson LeftInTX Jan 4 #81

Hope they enjoy the golf courses Trump and Bibi build in Gaza after they steamroll it like a pancake. ZonkerHarris Sunday #85

I don't think they care. That's the issue. LeftInTX Sunday #86

They care... ZonkerHarris Sunday #87

Na...they're just getting ready for the next election. They'll vote for Democrats next election. LeftInTX Sunday #88

Fuck 'em. Fuck everyone who didn't rally this time. People are attacking me for not caring about those who will be hurt ZonkerHarris Sunday #91

Yes but Trump would have won even if he had lost Michigan. n/t totodeinhere Sunday #99

I'm so old that I remember when there was an actual country called Palestine. OMGWTF Jan 4 #30

Really? When was that? Mosby Jan 4 #54

That State of Palestine has been occupied by Israel since 1967. Deuxcents Sunday #102

And prior to that it was occupied and annexed by Jordan Beastly Boy Sunday #107

I did not say it had never been occupied before 1967. Going back to even before written history, there were Deuxcents Sunday #108

Of course you didn't. What you said was that the State of palestine had been occupied SINCE 1967 Beastly Boy Sunday #110

My post said "occupied by Israel". I believe you're looking for a back n forth bantering Deuxcents Sunday #112

No, your post said "State of Palestine has been occupied by Israel since 1967" Beastly Boy Sunday #113

Who is surprised by this? trump warned voters how he intended to treat Gaza and Muslims LetMyPeopleVote Jan 4 #34

TY LMPV... and Now those Muslims who voted for Cha Jan 4 #55

I'll never forget (nor forgive) their chants of "Genocide Joe!" and taunts of "Enjoy Trump!" * Oopsie Daisy Jan 4 #57

TY... Agree with it All! Cha Jan 4 #60

I remember those chants and knew that these people would not like what trump and Bibi were going to do LetMyPeopleVote Sunday #90

There is a lot of overlap between the anti-Hillary crowd... ZRB Sunday #96

Interesting indeed. Oopsie Daisy Sunday #100

Israel is proof that the abused become abusers... you do what you learned NotHardly Jan 4 #56

Fuck Hamas! The GD Terrorist Org... King of "ABUSERS". Cha Jan 4 #61

So much victim-blaming and distraction here by Israel's supporters. AloeVera Jan 4 #59

Other than this is not unthinkable, nor cruel, nor a proposal, the only thing I would disagree with is Beastly Boy Jan 4 #64

Way too pretzel-like logic to even try... AloeVera Jan 4 #65

But of course it is. Because you are so not contradicting what you said just a short while ago. Beastly Boy Jan 4 #67

Did you read the article? ZRB Sunday #97

I read lots of articles, going a bit deeper than CNN. But of course, yes, I read it. AloeVera Sunday #106

Are there any Muslim- or Arab-Americans in Democratic Underground that would like to weigh in on how they voted and why? C0RI0LANUS Jan 4 #62

What a world! union rep Jan 4 #74

"Gaza Ghetto". AloeVera Jan 4 #79

Not even close. Learn your history before making absurd analogies. Beastly Boy Sunday #111

The Nazis considered limiting humanitarian aid to Jews? lapucelle Monday #119

This message was self-deleted by its author Jack Valentino Sunday #84

Looks like some voters are getting what they asked for!!! LetMyPeopleVote Sunday #89

Someone recently insisted Bibi's policies iemanja Sunday #93

Bibi was working towards a trump victory LetMyPeopleVote Sunday #105

Don't start wars with stronger opponents... ZRB Sunday #95

I thought they were already limiting it. I don't think it can get much worse than it already is. n/t totodeinhere Sunday #98

Post removed Post removed Sunday #101

Monsters. alarimer Monday #115

I understood retaliation and retribution Marthe48 Monday #116

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