u/nexxwav

A common talking point is that Palestinians would build shelters for civilians instead of tunnels if they actually cared about their community. This argument has zero basis in reality and needs to die. It’s frustrating to see it constantly repeated as if it’s some kind of ironclad mic-drop moment—it isn’t.

WHY WOULD ANYONE WASTE THE TIME, ENERGY AND RESOURCES REQUIRED TO BUILD BOMB SHELTERS THAT ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO GET INTO IN TIME?

That rhetorical question alone should be enough to demonstrate the absurdity of the argument, but let’s spell it out for those who still don’t get it.

In Gaza and the West Bank, the Israeli Air Force operates with air supremacy, not just superiority...supremacy. That means when they choose to strike a target, they can enter the airspace without meaningful opposition and deliver munitions directly on top of your head. Palestinians do not have advanced early-warning radar systems to alert them to incoming aircraft or missiles. Their “warning” is the sound of the incoming ordnance a half second before impact..thats it. Even if they did have the luxury of advanced radar, Israel has an operational fleet of F-35 stealth fighters that would defeat such counter measures and the lack of missile defense systems means strikes could still be carried out from long distances with no warning if need be. The IDF has every single option in the playbook at their disposal.

In contrast, Israelis benefit from early-warning siren systems that often provide several minutes for them to reach shelter, along with missile defense systems that intercept over 90% of incoming threats. These luxuries. make civilian shelter systems viable and effective for Israelis.

Because these advantages are often taken for granted, many seemingly can't hekp but assume that the same conditions must exist everywhere. From that perspective, they conclude that Palestinians choosing not to build shelters reflects their cold hearted, barbaric lack of concern and care for their community. But in reality the argument simply betrays the privilege and lack of common sense of fhe person making it.

Many seem to be misconstruing this to mean that I am arguing that Hamas are a loving and benevolent organization. I am not...what I am arguing is rhat shelters make absolutely zero sense and that that is the main reason why they haven't bothered building any..not because they dont care about civilians. Now that doesnt mean I believe the inverse is true and that they are compassionate and empathetic arbiters of righteousness.