I would argue "genocide" implies intent, which in fairness, I don't think the IDF are consciously attempting to undertake. But it's certainly true the dismay I feel at the appalling human cost in innocent life is beyond my ability to express in words. I don't pretend to have any better solution (what Hamas did was a clear act of war), but that doesn't mean my heart doesn't break over this situation.

Hamas deserves the ultimate blame for this, for reasons too obvious to repeat here, but to be clear, I am no fan of Netanyahu and his power-crazed, corrupt right-wing loonies. Outside of this war, I'm particularly appalled with how they've tried emasculate the Supreme Court and the entire democratic process. No wonder there was such widespread protest.

Far from whitewashing Israel, I'd actually argue they should never have left Gaza in 2005, without making properly sure it didn't wind up in terrorist hands. This outcome was entirely predictable. But that's another discussion.

Sadly, there can be no peace or two-state solution whilst right wingers like Netanyahu are bolstered by deranged loonies who want to wipe out Israel and the Jewish people (per the Hamas charter). We need an end to both, and an end to terror enclaves that brainwash their entire populations into vile hatred of their neighbours.

In the meantime, I'm heartily sick of western armchair pundits who don't live in Israel, have never visited the region, and haven't even read a history book spouting their ignorant drivel on social media. Their trendy, right-on support for Hamas, claiming their massacre was somehow justified, is an absolute abhorrence to me. It is particularly distressing (per my original comment) when it comes from individuals I'd previously believed were sane, rational human beings.

God help us.