[schmooky007]

Originally posted by Sinner
Why is it ok for the IDF to open fire in crowded streets to kill militants?

because it's self defense. even if terrorists hide in civilian areas it's legal under international law to go after them.

From September 2000 to Aug 2002, a total of 1,700 Palestinians and 600 Israelis had been killed. Most were civilians.

yes, on the israeli side but not on the palestinian side. palestinian count homicide bombers as civilians killed by israel. palestinians count armed fighters killed by israeli troops in gunfights as civilians killed by israel. palestinians count people murdered by the PA for being "collaborators" as civilians killed by israel. "killed by who" is of little relevance to them. these people are added to a huge list of "casualties" the palestinians present to the international community as victims killed by israelis. it's been shown that the palestinians often exaggerate their casualty figures to win world sympathy.

Since the beginning of this month, March 2004, Israeli forces have killed 44 Palestinians, including women and children. According to data from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and the Ministry of Health, 30 Palestinians were killed in Gaza and 14 in the West Bank. Among those killed are 18 minors. More than 197 Palestinians, mostly children, were wounded in the same period. In February 2004, Israeli forces killed 52 Palestinians. Since the beginning of 2004, Israeli forces killed 128 Palestinians.

where did you get these figures from? and what about israeli civilians killed by palestinian terrrorists during this time?

International law prohibits without exception, the extra-judicial killing of protected persons.

international law does indeed protect innocent civilians from "extra-judicial" killings. it does NOT protect terrorists who declared war against israel from being targeted. furthermore, it puts the responsibility of the safe-being of protected persons in the hands of the party who controls the area where the protected person is. so, technically, gaza city is territory controlled by the PA. thus, the responsibility of ensuring the well-being of innocents in this area falls on the PA. the PA is responsible, according to international law, for putting their civilians in harm's way.