Hamas controls Gaza as a militarized stronghold for 20 years hell bent of the genoside of Israel Graham Healy Debunks the false narrative of the FREE PALESTINE MARCHES as totally based on Lies.

**Hamas controls Gaza as a militarized stronghold, not a conventional "Palestine" liberation movement.** Hamas (Islamic Resistance Movement) seized full control of Gaza in 2007 after winning elections in 2006 and violently ousting Fatah. It has ruled as an authoritarian Islamist group since, prioritizing military buildup over civilian welfare. Gaza's dense urban environment (one of the world's highest population densities) has been systematically militarized with an extensive underground tunnel network ("the Metro") used for command, storage, smuggling, rocket launches, and infiltration.

by Graham Healy Tue 14 July 26

### Tunnels and Embedding in Civilian Infrastructure

IDF operations, especially post-October 7, 2023, revealed extensive tunnel complexes under civilian sites. The most documented case is beneath **Al-Shifa Hospital** in Gaza City: IDF forces uncovered a major command-and-control node with tunnels, rooms, weapons caches, and evidence of hostage-holding. Similar findings occurred under other hospitals, schools, mosques, and residential areas. Hamas diverts massive concrete and aid resources (intended for civilian use) to build these, estimated at hundreds of kilometers long.

Hamas routinely launches rockets from or near civilian areas (homes, schools, hospitals), stores munitions there, and positions fighters amid populations. This is well-documented via videos, satellite imagery, and captured operatives. International law (e.g., Additional Protocol I to Geneva Conventions) prohibits using civilian objects for military purposes or endangering one's own population this way. Hamas's strategy maximizes Palestinian civilian casualties for propaganda value, while its leaders operate from bunkers or abroad (e.g., Qatar).

**Human shields**: Hamas has been credibly accused of this tactic—firing from populated zones, discouraging or preventing evacuations, and integrating military assets into civilian life. While some NGOs like Amnesty International have been cautious on "directing" civilians in specific past conflicts (finding rocket launches from civilian areas but not always forced shielding), the pattern of embedding is extensive and intentional. IDF footage, captured documents, and on-ground evidence post-2023 show systematic use. This violates the principle of distinction in international humanitarian law. Hamas shows little regard for its own civilians' safety, unlike Israel's efforts (warnings, roof-knocking, etc., however imperfect in dense urban warfare).

### Debunking the "Genocide" Narrative

The claim that Israel's response constitutes "genocide" is a false narrative that inverts reality. Genocide requires specific *intent* to destroy a group in whole or part (UN Genocide Convention). Hamas's founding 1988 Charter explicitly calls for the destruction of Israel and Jews, framing the conflict in religious terms of jihad until Islamic rule over all of historic Palestine. Key excerpts: jihad as path, death for Allah as wish; rejection of any peaceful settlement; antisemitic tropes (including Protocols of Elders of Zion echoes). The 2017 revision softened PR language but retained the core goal of "liberating" all of Palestine through armed struggle.

Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack (1,200+ killed, rapes, mutilations, hostages) was explicitly genocidal in intent and execution—targeting civilians deliberately. Its charter, leaders' statements (e.g., "from the river to the sea"), and actions show the aim is Israel's elimination, not coexistence.

Israel's operations target Hamas military capacity after that attack, with warnings, precision strikes where feasible, and aid facilitation (despite Hamas diversion). High civilian casualties are tragic and result from urban warfare against an enemy that maximizes them + Gaza's density + Hamas's infrastructure. Independent analyses show combatant:civilian ratios debated (IDF claims better than many urban battles; critics cite Gaza Health Ministry figures dominated by Hamas). No credible evidence of Israeli *intent* to destroy Palestinians as a group—contrast with Hamas's explicit eliminationism. Casualty figures are tragic but do not equate to genocide under law; proportionality weighs military advantage vs. expected harm, not raw numbers.

### Protests, Ignorance, Antisemitism, and Echoes of Nazism

"Free Palestine" marches globally, including in Australia, often conflate criticism of Israeli policy with calls for Israel's destruction, glorification of Hamas/"resistance," and antisemitic tropes (e.g., chants like "from the river to the sea," "globalize the intifada," swastikas, Holocaust denial/minimization, or attacks on synagogues/Jewish businesses). This has surged since October 7, with documented incidents of harassment, assaults on Jews, and open support for terrorists. In Australia, protests have included disruption, antisemitic rhetoric, and echoes of historical Jew-hatred.

Many participants appear ignorant of Hamas's governance failures (corruption, tunnel priority over shelters/aid for civilians), rejection of peace offers (Camp David, etc.), or the fact that "Palestine" under Hamas/PA has indoctrinated generations against Israel's existence. This fuels a one-sided narrative ignoring Jewish/Israeli security needs post-pogroms, expulsions, and wars. It revives Nazi-era antisemitism (eliminationist Jew-hatred, conspiracy theories) under "anti-Zionism" cover—Hitler's regime also framed Jews as existential threats. Polls and incidents show significant crossover into overt antisemitism, not legitimate policy critique.

### Iranian Proxy Operation

This is a proxy war orchestrated by Iran via its "Axis of Resistance." Iran has funded, armed, and trained Hamas for decades (hundreds of millions annually, weapons, tech for rockets/drones/tunnels). Captured docs and intelligence confirm IRGC/Quds Force support, alongside Hezbollah and others. The goal: destabilize Israel, export revolution, without direct Iranian conventional war. October 7 fits this pattern. Hamas is not a grassroots liberation group but a well-resourced Islamist terror proxy.

**Summary of facts**: Hamas is a designated terrorist organization whose explicit goal is Israel's destruction and Jewish deaths. It embeds military assets in civilian life, builds terror infrastructure with diverted resources, and sacrifices its population for PR. Israel's response, while causing high casualties in brutal urban fighting, targets that threat—not Palestinians per se. Protests often whitewash Hamas, invert aggressor/victim, and stoke antisemitism. Iran's role exposes it as part of a broader ideological/terror campaign. Truth requires distinguishing legitimate grievances from jihadist eliminationism and propaganda. Sources include IDF releases, captured intel, charters, and cross-verified reporting—always scrutinize media bias on both sides.