‘DENYING Aid For Hamas’ Crimes!’ IDF Attacks Gaza Days Into Truce | With Norman Finkelstein

Claims of Ceasefire Violations and Contradictory Reporting [00:01]

• Israel claims Hamas violated the ceasefire, yet reporting exists that contradicts this assertion.
• The situation is described as being in a "cloud of war" rather than just the "fog of war."

"It is your fog. You're unwilling to understand the most basic principle here that there's probably never been a more moral war."

The Goal of Destroying Hamas and Its Efficacy [00:23]

• Skepticism is expressed about the strategy of destroying Hamas through current methods, with past predictions suggesting it wouldn't work.
• The effectiveness of military action in achieving this goal is questioned, especially after two years of conflict.

The Fate of Gaza and the Prospect of Rebuilding [00:30]

• Doubts are raised about Israeli leadership's commitment to rebuilding Gaza and achieving peace.
• The assertion that the war in Gaza is officially over is immediately qualified by the ongoing nature of Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hostage Release and Prisoner Exchange [00:48]

• The return of Israeli hostages and the release of Palestinian prisoners are noted as significant developments.
• The complexity of the situation implies that the end of hostilities is merely "the end of the beginning."

IDF Strikes and Hamas Rebel Activity [01:02]

• The IDF launched air strikes in southern Gaza days after a truce, following the killing of two soldiers by Hamas.
• President Trump attributed the flare-up to Hamas rebels acting without leadership authority.

Who Controls Gaza? [01:17]

• A central question is who is in charge of Gaza and who can effectively govern it.
• The continued presence of rebel fighters raises concerns about the sustainability of any ceasefire.

Influence of Far-Right Ministers on Netanyahu's Government [01:25]

• Far-right ministers are reported to be pushing for the IDF to "finish the job."
• This internal pressure complicates diplomatic efforts and ceasefire adherence.

Trump's "Violently Eradicate Hamas" Statement and US Troop Stance [01:32]

• President Trump's rhetoric about "violently eradicating Hamas" is examined, especially in light of JD Vance ruling out US troops.
• The distinction between Trump's pronouncements and actual US policy on troop deployment is highlighted.

Brokering the Ceasefire and Hostage Release [01:43]

• Donald Trump is applauded for brokering a difficult ceasefire and securing the release of hostages.
• The primary concern remains whether force alone can prevent a return to all-out war.

Dave Smith's View on Trump's Credit for Hostage Release [02:11]

• Dave Smith acknowledges significant credit for Donald Trump in the release of hostages.
• He views the ceasefire and hostage release as a much better direction, crediting all involved.

Palestinian Prisoner Release and Reduced Casualties [02:49]

• The release of 1,700 Palestinian prisoners held without charges is cited as a positive development.
• A reduction in daily casualties in Gaza is noted, though numbers have risen recently.

"We should all root for less people to die and less innocent people to be held in captivity."

Precarious Position and Optimism for Ceasefire [03:32]

• The situation is described as precarious with an unclear path forward.
• JD Vance expressed optimism about the ceasefire, despite acknowledging it's not 100% certain.

US Stance on Gaza Leadership and Hamas Disarmament [04:01]

• The US acknowledges uncertainty regarding the ultimate leadership in Gaza.
• The US will not set a deadline for Hamas disarmament and rules out US troops on the ground.

Chaos and Crossfire in Gaza [04:22]

• Concerns exist about rebels swarming Gaza, with Hamas struggling to maintain control.
• IDF soldiers are caught in the crossfire, leading to Israeli retaliatory force and Palestinian casualties.

Israeli Government Ministers Pushing for Renewed Action [04:59]

• Ministers like Bengavir and Smodri are reportedly urging the IDF to resume operations.
• This internal pressure is seen as a significant factor that could reignite the conflict.

Doran Spielman's Perspective on Trump and Hamas [05:20]

• Spielman sides more with Donald Trump's approach, acknowledging both promise and reality.
• He emphasizes Hamas's continued goal to destroy Israel and the necessity of their demilitarization.

Trump's Guarantees and Control of Gaza [06:11]

• President Trump's guarantees are seen as giving "bite" to the deal.
• Israel controls 53% of Gaza, and the enemy's tactics are understood.

Israel's Response to Hamas Actions [06:33]

• Spielman asserts that Israeli actions are targeted at Hamas terrorists, not random killings.
• Civilian casualties are acknowledged as a consequence of Hamas's operational methods.

Dave Smith on Israeli Cabinet's Desire to Restart Fighting [07:11]

• Smith points to figures like BenGvir in the Israeli cabinet actively wanting to restart the fighting.
• BenGvir called for the IDF to renew full-scale fighting.

The Dangerous Belief in Hamas's Change of Ways [07:28]

• The belief that Hamas will change or abide by agreements is deemed dangerous.
• Hamas is characterized as a "Nazi terrorist organization" that must be destroyed.

Trump's Political Capital and Distrust on Both Sides [07:42]

• Trump has invested political capital in the deal and Hamas's leadership, but faces opposition from hardliners in Israel.
• Significant distrust exists on both sides of the conflict.

Gaza's Destruction and Collective Punishment [08:19]

• Gaza has been destroyed, and aid is being denied as a weapon of war, constituting collective punishment.
• Israel's justification for actions is questioned, especially when there's contradictory reporting.

Jared Kushner's Assessment of Gaza's Destruction [09:39]

• Jared Kushner described Gaza as looking like a nuclear bomb had gone off.
• This visual is used to highlight the scale of destruction and the plight of displaced civilians.

The "Human Shields" Argument and Collective Punishment [10:01]

• The argument that Hamas uses people as human shields is presented.
• Denying aid to the civilian population is seen as collective punishment for Hamas's alleged actions.

Characterization of the Conflict: Genocide? [10:23]

• The characterization of the situation as genocide is raised, questioning the morality of targeting an entire people.
• The denial of aid to a decimated population is presented as unjustifiable.

October 7th as a Unique Event and Israel's Response [11:51]

• The scale of the October 7th attacks is described as being on a different level than anything seen previously.
• The "nihilistic view" of Hamas is suggested as a reason for Israeli distrust.

Disproportionate Israeli Response [12:31]

• The scale of Israel's response is characterized as "massively disproportionate."
• It is argued that both the initial attack and the response can be true simultaneously.

Israeli Government Frustration Over Lack of Hamas Counterpart [12:47]

• The Israeli government is reportedly frustrated by the absence of a rising counter to Hamas.
• Despite significant military action, Hamas remains in power.

Two Years of Conflict and Unfulfilled Goals [13:10]

• For two years, critics have argued that Hamas cannot be destroyed through current methods.
• The war's initial goals, like destroying Hamas and releasing hostages, appear to be unfulfilled by the stated logic.

The Precariousness of the Ceasefire [14:14]

• The ceasefire is described as being in a "very precarious place."
• Hamas has publicly stated they will not disarm, posing a challenge to Israel's objectives.

Doran Spielman's Rebuttal to "Fog of War" and Genocide Claims [14:33]

• Spielman refutes Dave's "fog of war" concept, stating that Hamas's direct targeting of Israelis is not ambiguous.
• He asserts that Israel is not committing genocide or ethnic cleansing.

Israel's Goal: Destroy Hamas and Bring Home Hostages [15:02]

• The singular goal of Israel is stated as destroying Hamas and retrieving its hostages.
• The morality of the war is defended, claiming it is fought by an army that does not want to go to war.

The Killing of Two IDF Soldiers and Hamas's Actions [15:48]

• The killing of two IDF soldiers in cold blood is presented as evidence of Hamas's violations.
• Hamas is described as an organization that attacked and killed civilians.

Condemnation of October 7th vs. Condemnation of Defense [16:10]

• A claim is made that critics condemn Israel's defensive actions while also condemning October 7th.
• This is refuted by the speaker, who states they have consistently supported Israel's right to self-defense.

Criticism of Israeli Government Strategy and War Crimes [16:56]

• Criticism of the Israeli government's strategy intensified when it failed to achieve its goals.
• The blockade, leveling of Gaza, and potential war crimes are highlighted.

Influence of Senior Israeli Government Members [17:43]

• The influence of figures like Smotrich and BenGvir is debated, with differing opinions on their impact on Netanyahu.
• Their stated desires for ethnic cleansing are a point of concern.

Netanyahu's Deal and Trump's Influence [18:13]

• Netanyahu agreed to an "imperfect" deal presented by President Trump, despite internal opposition.
• This decision is seen as a bet on Trump's ability to achieve the dismantling of Hamas.

Trump's Announcement of Arab Allies' Support [18:41]

• Trump announced that Arab allies are ready to "straighten out Hamas" if they violate the agreement.
• This is presented as a sign of potential regional cooperation under US leadership.

Escalation Concerns Regarding US Military Involvement [20:36]

• Pressure on Trump to commit American forces to engage Hamas is seen as a potentially problematic escalation.
• The post suggests Trump is considering this possibility.

The Political Legacy of a Ceasefire Deal [21:51]

• The success of the ceasefire is crucial to Donald Trump's political legacy and capital.
• Blaming Palestinians is seen as politically easier than blaming Israelis due to lobbying influence.

Kushner and Shavit on Israel's Actions [22:26]

• Jared Kushner and Avi Witzman's statements suggesting Israel was "out of control" and needed to be reined in are cited.
• They indicated that Hamas was enthusiastic about the deal once presented.

Dave Smith's Stance on Hamas Sympathy [23:09]

• Dave Smith asserts he has never shown sympathy for Hamas and has criticized other critics of Israel.
• He maintains his criticism is focused on specific strategies and not on Hamas itself.

Incompatibility of Condemning Hamas and Israel's Response [23:31]

• It is argued that one can condemn Hamas's actions while also deeming Israel's response disproportionate.
• These two positions are not seen as mutually exclusive.

Netanyahu's Strategy of Propping Up Hamas [24:08]

• Netanyahu's strategy of supporting Hamas for years to thwart a Palestinian state is highlighted.
• This is seen as enabling Hamas and creating a justification for destroying a captive population.

Shift in American Public Opinion [24:33]

• A significant shift in American public opinion is noted, with a substantial decline in sympathy for Israel and a rise for Palestinians.
• This shift is attributed to the perception of Israel's actions as indefensible.

The Bizarre US-Israel Relationship [25:09]

• The relationship between Israel and the US is described as "bizarre" and not in America's interest.
• Propaganda tactics are seen as ineffective in swaying public opinion.

The "Most Moral Army" Claim vs. Denying Aid [25:20]

• The claim of being the "most moral army" is contrasted with denying food to an entire civilian population.
• This is seen as collective punishment, regardless of the pretext.

The Strike on Doha and Trump's Intervention [26:13]

• The attack on Hamas negotiators in Doha is identified as a tipping point for potential US intervention.
• This event is seen as a "catastrophically stupid thing" by Israel, jeopardizing its relationship with allies.

Qatar's Role and Funding of Hamas [27:43]

• Qatar is identified as the lobby for Hamas and the Palestinians, funding terror and having close ties to Iran.
• The US is criticized for allowing Qatar to fund Hamas under its pressure.

The Destruction of Gaza and Tunnel Networks [30:36]

• It took 18 years to build 500 miles of terror tunnels under Gaza, which the speaker has seen firsthand.
• The reluctance to enter Gaza was partly due to anticipating accusations of genocide.

The Longest Assault in Israel's History [43:42]

• Israel's assault on Gaza is described as the longest in its history, longer than the War of Independence.
• The objective was to make Gaza uninhabitable, forcing residents to "starve or leave."

The Believability of Netanyahu Rebuilding Gaza [44:15]

• The idea of Netanyahu and his cabinet rebuilding Gaza for the people they targeted for annihilation is deemed unbelievable and implausible.
• A historical analogy is drawn to Hitler rebuilding the Warsaw Ghetto.

Trump's Directive on Palestinian Return and Rebuilding Gaza [45:55]

• Donald Trump has a clear directive for Palestinians to return to their homes, which must be rebuilt.
• He wants a coalition of Arab countries to be involved in this process.

Trump's Transactional Nature and Negotiating Tactics [48:14]

• Trump is described as a transactional dealmaker who uses leverage and sometimes makes extreme statements to negotiate.
• This behavior is seen as a potential negotiating pattern that could lead to positive outcomes.

Historical Precedents of Peace Deals: Camp David and Oslo [50:13]

• Past successful peace deals like the Camp David Accords and Oslo Accords required intense focus and determination.
• Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton exhibited these qualities, which are seen as lacking in President Trump.

Israeli Stubbornness and the Blockade of Gaza [52:26]

• Israelis are described as "very, very stubborn," citing an example where an agreement to lift the Gaza blockade was disregarded.
• The government denied hunger in Gaza despite international agencies reporting famine.

Norman Finkelstein's Skepticism on Humanitarian Aid [54:15]

• Finkelstein questions whether the current Israeli government will allow the necessary humanitarian aid into Gaza.
• He believes the objective of emptying Gaza persists.

Flur Hassan on Hamas Disarmament and Hostage Release [55:00]

• Hassan states that Hamas must disarm, and reconstruction aid will not go to them.
• He criticizes Hamas for not returning all dead hostages and for killing their own people.

Regional Power Dynamics and the "Bigger Picture" [59:13]

• The conflict is framed as part of a larger regional struggle between peace-seeking Sunni moderates and Iran-backed extremists.
• A regional solution is seen as the only viable path forward.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Match Controversy [01:00:12]

• A football match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Aston Villa faces cancellation due to security concerns.
• Police were unable to guarantee protection for fans, leading to accusations of capitulating to an "Islamist mob."

Two-Tier Policing and Perceived Open Season on Jews [01:03:48]

• The concept of "two-tier policing" is raised, suggesting differential treatment based on the parties involved.
• The situation is described as "open season" for Jews.

Netanyahu's Role in Funding Hamas and October 7th [33:10]

• Netanyahu is accused of funneling billions to Hamas through Qatar to divide the Palestinian Authority.
• This strategy is seen as potentially creating the conditions for the October 7th attacks.

Unanswered Questions and Accountability [35:02]

• There are many unanswered questions regarding the events leading up to and during the conflict.
• The lack of access for international journalists to Gaza is seen as a disgrace and an impediment to truth.

Trump's Vision for Gaza: The Riviera [47:45]

• Trump's past statements about turning Gaza into the "Riviera" and incentivizing people to leave are recalled.
• The credibility of his current statements is questioned in light of his past pronouncem