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Source: https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/The-question-of-proportionality-564699
The Question of Proportionality in Gaza
(Jerusalem Post) Lt.-Col. (res.) Peter Lerner - During the recent flare-up with Hamas in Gaza, several foreign correspondents raised questions of proportionality in the IDF's conduct. The IDF conducted 180 precision strikes in Gaza, in the aftermath of which the Hamas Ministry of Health announced that three people had been killed. One of the dead was announced as a Hamas terrorist. The two others were a woman and her daughter. While their deaths are tragic, they are not an indication of a disproportionate response to Hamas' bombardment of Israeli communities with 200 rockets and mortars, resulting in 28 Israelis that required medical assistance. The precision strikes on Hamas assets with so few deaths reflects the deep and thorough IDF planning process, its vast intelligence capabilities, and its nearly flawless execution. Kinetic diplomacy sent a clear message and that message was proportionate. Its military action proved once again that Israel does everything professionally possible in order to limit the deaths of non-combatants. The writer is a former IDF spokesperson.