naraburns nihil supernum
6mo ago
(text post)
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Israel-Gaza Megathread #1
This is a megathread for any posts on the conflict between (so far, and so far as I know) Hamas and the Israeli government, as well as related geopolitics. Culture War thread rules apply.
We've had some questions on the reports of beheadings that have been going around.
Claims of beheadings have been emerging after a media tour of Kfar Aza on Tuesday when soldiers told reporters that children had been beheaded during Hamas' attack of the kibbutz.
An IDF spokesperson reacted shortly after by saying it could not confirm the claims.
CNN on Wednesday reported that Tal Heinrich, a spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said that beheaded babies and toddlers had been found in Kfar Aza.
On the same day US President Joe Biden spoke to leaders of Jewish groups at the White House.
"I never really thought that I would see and have confirmed pictures of terrorists beheading children," he said.
The White House later clarified his claims by saying neither the president nor US officials had seen pictures or independently confirmed the alleged atrocities and that Mr Biden had based his comments on statements by the spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and media reports from Israel.
On Thursday IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Jonathan Conricus mentioned the claims while giving an update about the situation in Be'eri.
"We got very, very disturbing reports that came from the ground that there were babies that had been beheaded. And I admit it took us some time to really understand and to verify that report," he said on X.
"After eyewitnesses came forward and after a senior official in the Israeli coronary service, Zaka, came forward on record ... and said 'yes, I saw the bodies of beheaded babies', I think we can now say with relative confidence that this is unfortunately what happened in Be'eri ."
The allegations could not be independently confirmed, and authorities did not immediately offer further details or evidence.
I know some people have been waiting for more info before rushing to judgement, which is fair enough. Unfortunately, it seems like this particular horrific story is true.
"I never really thought that I would see and have confirmed pictures of terrorists beheading children," he said.
The White House later clarified his claims by saying neither the president nor US officials had seen pictures or independently confirmed the alleged atrocities
Are they trying to pull a Mitch Hedberg? That's one of the weakest "clarifications" I've seen recently.
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Notes -
There's been some confusion over the beheaded babies claim. The ABC looks into it:
I know some people have been waiting for more info before rushing to judgement, which is fair enough. Unfortunately, it seems like this particular horrific story is true.
Are they trying to pull a Mitch Hedberg? That's one of the weakest "clarifications" I've seen recently.
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