One or two posts have suggested that the Palestinian tactic of using voluntary human shields proves the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) are not interested in killing Palestinians wholesale. The logic is that if they were, the human shields would not present themselves as a target.

Even if the IDF was interested in some form of fast total genocide, the current political climate would not allow such an action, as it would be too blatant and the international community would be obliged to move to some form of strong sanction. Israel cannot afford that, despite its strong position of having virtually unconditional US backing. On the other hand, killing a few Palestinians here and there this day and that could eventually achieve the same effect over a much longer period.

One thing is sure, the IDF have (as has already been noted here) always managed to kill several Palestinians for every one Israeli civilians killed, and don't seem overly worried when 'they get it wrong'. It has been suggested that when the IDF kill innocent Palestinian civilians they get hauled before the courts and justice is served. If that were really true, they'd be much more circumspect about where their artillery and bullets were going.

The human shield volunteers are probably worried that they might get killed - the IDF have in the past killed foreign peace activists, journalists and even UN troops (in Lebanon) so a few dozen Palestinian women might not be so safe if the IDF lost patience. On the other hand, it would eb a rather obvious killing - when civilans are killed in artillery strikes etc., the IDF can claim it was an 'error' (though apparently only Hamas aren't supposed to know where theior rockets will go - sarcascm, btw). Much harder to do that when it's 50 women with a lot of media attention on them already.

Someone suggested the women should go in and arrest the militants so 'they can live in peace'..... I don't know what your definition of peace is, but I don't think that the living conditions in Gaza or the occupied West Bank could even be loosely be described as 'peaceful'. Being woken at whim by tank shells at 6am, turned back at checkpoints on whim despite having all the right papers, searched, hassled, beaten up, living under curfew etc., etc., No, that's not 'peace'.

That aside, I think another point is being missed here, and that is Palestinian desperation: first they got fed up with Arafat, nothing much happening, their lands still confiscated, their farms grabbed and bulldozed, their lives controlled in a thousand petty details by a foreign occupying army, being hemmed into a giant reservation (when Israeli Jewish settlers aren't taking the parts they want) fenced in by a wall. So, they decide to turn tro that much-vaunted democracy and vote for Hamas to represent them. Whether you agree with Hamas' policies etc., the Palestinians noentheless voted for them, to represent them (as Israelis voted for those in Knesset). The first thing the 'civilised world' does is tell them "ooh, you made the WRONG democratic choice, now go back and pick a bunch of leaders WE want to have represent you" And cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority (further impoverishing the people). Voluntray human shields are a sign of desperation, but also of support for their elected representatives and the party to which they belong. You might say these men were militant gunmen, and that's true. Members of Knesset don't actually go out and fire guns themsleves, but they do have the IDF and final say in what it does and when and where it uses its guns, so are they all that different?

Others have said Paelstinian problems are all down to their own fault. They are to blame for their own poverty etc., No doubt there's some truth in that, all polirtical parties fall temptation to corruption etc., and no society is perfect. But there is a kind of racism in that argument that ignores other factors. Can you imagine anyone arguing that all of Africa's problems are due to their own corruption and laziness, and that colonialism, divide and conquer and outside exploitation have nothing to do with it ? Yes, the Israelis have made areas of Palestine fertile etc., produced much technology etc., but they've had billions of dollars of US help also, not to mention a flow of technology from the US to Israel.

Someone said the Israeli Govt etc., will not attack the human shields for fear of being held up as a pariah. That may be true, but they are already regarded as a pariah in many places and among many people. The 'new Hamas tactic' at least is non-violent, but I hope it is fruitful and embarasses the Israelis into taking a different approach in Palestine. We have an old saying here "it is not those who can inflict the most, but those who can endure the most, who will prevail"

Hamas, and all the rest of it, wouldn't be, if Palestinians were getting a fair deal and real peace. But that's not up to Palestinians alone, it's also up to Israelis. The question is, what do they want more?