Best Defense
Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

What was Israel thinking?

The more I read Haaretz, the more worried I get: Israel Defense Forces soldiers did not consider medical teams as entitled to receive the special protection granted to them within the framework of their duties during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, according to a new report by Physicians for Human Rights. …” Can anyone tell ...

By , a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy.
587507_090324_IDF_rez2.jpg
587507_090324_IDF_rez2.jpg
GAZA STRIP - JANUARY 12: In this handout image provided by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Israeli reserve forces enter the Gaza Strip January 12, 2009 in the Gaza Strip. Despite a recent United Nations call for an immediate end to the fighting, hostilities continued today between Israel and Hamas militants as Israeli troops entered the outskirts of Gaza City but failed to end rocket fire from Hamas. (Photo by IDF via Getty Images)

The more I read Haaretz, the more worried I get:

Israel Defense Forces soldiers did not consider medical teams as entitled to receive the special protection granted to them within the framework of their duties during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, according to a new report by Physicians for Human Rights. …”

Can anyone tell me how such behavior, including allegedly killing 16 medical personnel, is in the long-term interests of the state of Israel?

IDF via Getty Images

Thomas E. Ricks is a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy. Twitter: @tomricks1

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