Haviv Rettig Gur: Did Israel Intentionally Target Civilians in Gaza?

In this video, Haviv Rettig Gur addresses the difficult question of whether Israel intentionally targeted Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The speaker asserts that Israel did not intentionally target civilians (0:13-0:16), acknowledging the complexities and tragic nature of war fought within civilian populations.

Here are the key points from the video:

• Hamas's Strategy: The speaker highlights that Hamas dug an extensive tunnel system (1:13) under civilian areas, which was a strategic challenge for Israel. Hamas's strategy relied on civilian harm to win the information war (8:44-8:50) and made them an undeterable enemy (2:20-2:33).
• Israeli Efforts to Minimize Civilian Harm:
  • Israel employed a strategy of constant raiding, going in and leaving, partly to minimize civilian harm (1:36-1:42).
  • They established a "harm mitigation unit" (4:03) that made millions of phone calls, sent SMSs, and dropped leaflets with grid maps to warn civilians of impending strikes (4:05-4:27).
  • Soldiers' movements were publicly telegraphed to reduce civilian presence (4:27-4:40).
  • The demolition seen in Gaza was often a function of protecting civilian life by avoiding booby traps set by Hamas (5:11-5:26).
• Critiques and Context:
  • Rettig Gur admits that it is legitimate to say Israel "didn't do enough" to protect civilians (5:44-5:46) and that individual crimes by soldiers likely occurred (6:11-6:17), citing instances of prisoner abuse (6:23-6:50). However, these individual acts do not indicate a policy of intentionally targeting civilians (7:20-7:24).
  • Statistical data from Hamas's own health ministry shows that fighting-age men are overrepresented among the dead by two to three times (8:16-8:40), suggesting Israel was aiming at Hamas operatives, not civilians.
  • The speaker emphasizes that the narrative of intentional targeting is part of a broader, coordinated anti-Israel campaign (10:24-10:59, 11:34-11:42), noting the disproportionate focus on Gaza's casualties compared to other conflicts with higher death tolls (10:34-10:48).

The Book of Sirach: Ancient Wisdom for a Modern World w/ Dr. André Villeneuve

Dr. André Villeneuve discusses with Bryan Totten (Across the Canon) his recently published commentary on the book of Sirach as part of the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture series.

You can purchase the commentary here.

The seventeen New Testament volumes in the successful Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture series have been widely acclaimed. The series recently expanded to include readable yet substantive Old Testament commentaries that integrate the best of contemporary biblical scholarship with the traditional understanding of the Old Testament books as prophesying and prefiguring Christ.

In Sirach, André Villeneuve makes a lesser-known deuterocanonical book accessible to readers. Drawing connections between Sirach, ancient Jewish and Christian commentaries, the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Villeneuve demonstrates that Sirach is a treasure trove of enduring wisdom that continues to speak to every age.

Commentary features include:

• Biblical text from the Revised Standard Version, second Catholic edition (RSV2CE)
• References to the Catechism, the Lectionary, and related biblical texts
• Quotations from Church documents, Church Fathers, and saints
• Reflection and application sections for daily Christian living
• Suggested resources and an index of pastoral subjects

Written from a standpoint of faith in the Holy Spirit's inspiration of Scripture, CCSS Old Testament commentaries are designed for preaching, teaching, and applying Scripture to Christian life today. They are packed with features that make them particularly useful to those doing ministry in Catholic parishes. General editors for the series are Mary Healy (Sacred Heart Major Seminary), Mark Giszczak (Augustine Institute), and Peter S. Williamson (Sacred Heart Major Seminary).

Donate to Catholics for Israel

Please try our new payment processor and support our work by making a donation!

Settling The Facts: A Deeper Look At Israeli Settlements DOCUMENTARY

If you've ever looked at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one of the words that comes up sooner or later is "settlements". In this groundbreaking documentary, Roger Walters (not Waters!) takes a deeper dive into this subject and asks three questions: Who are the settlers? Are they breaking international law? Are settlements an obstacle to peace? 

The film speaks to people from all sides - Israeli and Palestinian, legal experts, historians, and activists for and against. The findings may well surprise you. 

 This film won the Los Angeles Feedback Film Festival Award for Best Documentary Feature Film.

WATCH: Israeli, Christian, and an IDF officer. This is Hadeel's story!

Meet Haddeel, an Israeli Christian from northern Israel who is proud to serve in the IDF.