[MENTION=21837]P F Tinmore[/MENTION],
et al,
The UN Official did not say that "No Weapons found in UN Facilities." He was very careful. He said "No school that has been sheltering people or under UN control have there been weapons found in while under the UN's control."
(COMMENT)
What he did not say is just as important.
He did not say that on Tuesday - a stockpile of Hamas rockets was found in one of UNRWA’s Gaza schools — for the third time since the onset of Operation Protective Edge.
He did not mention the use of UN Ambulances and other vehicles to transport fighters and munitions were not used.
He did not say that rockets and mortars were not launch from the immediate proximity of UN facilities, hospitals and other safety zones.
This is a CYA - feel good meeting. It's primary purpose is to lend political support to the HAMAS. It is not about the "truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth."
Yes, in any war zone in which the UN and Red Cross setup safety zones intentionally in the areas used by HAMAS.
Rule 35. Directing an attack against a zone established to shelter the wounded said:
International and non-international armed conflicts
The First and Fourth Geneva Conventions provide for the possibility of setting up hospital and safety zones, and a draft agreement for the establishment of such zones is attached thereto. In addition, the Fourth Geneva Convention provides for the possibility of setting up neutralized zones. Both types of zone are intended to shelter the wounded, the sick and civilians from the effects of conflict, but the hospital and safety zones are meant to be far removed from military operations, whereas neutralized zones are intended for areas in which military operations are taking place.
SOURCE: ICRC Rule #35 IHL Customary Law
It is rather naive of the ICRC of the UN to believe that there is any safe place on the battlefield. Neutral areas, inside the battlefield, are less hazardous, but still subject to conditions that create inadvertent casualties. The mere fact that the UN and ICRC set up such facilities in the middle of hazards is quite dangerous; and they know it. Both the ICRC and UN have evidence through
Captured Hamas combat manual, that explains benefits of human shields, that HAMAS has doctrine on the matter.
Any time innocent civilians, especially children, are victims of a combat exchange, it is a tragedy. But that is the ugly side of combat. Everyone concerned needs to grow-up and and learn the consequences of their actions; not just HAMAS and the Israelis, but the ICRC and the UN - with emphasis on the People of Gaza that support their leadership.
Most Respectfully,
R
