In the Middle East, the conflict between Israel and Palestine has been going on for decades, and there are deep differences and hostility between the two sides in terms of territory, religion, politics, etc. Recently, the conflict between the two sides has escalated again, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries, which has aroused widespread concern and condemnation from the international community. However, in this bloody war, there were also some surprising events.
Late on the night of October 22, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement saying that an Israeli tank had "accidentally**" hit an Egyptian army post near the Kerem Shalom commodity crossing on the border with Israel in the southern Palestinian Gaza Strip.
The statement said the Israeli military "apologized" and that the investigation was ongoing. This is a rare incident of accidental bombing, and it is also a rare statement of apology. Why would Israel bomb the wrong target?Why did Israel apologize to Egypt?What impact does this have on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict?
Why did Israel bomb the wrong target?
According to the IDF statement, the accidental bombing was caused by an "accident" of a tank. However, this is not a reasonable explanation. Because the tank is not a simple ** system, it needs to go through several steps before it can fire shells.
First of all, the tank needs to determine the target and measure the distance and bearing of the target by means of a laser rangefinder or other equipment. Secondly, the tank needs to choose the right ammunition and adjust the barrel angle and the amount of gunpowder depending on the type of target and distance. Finally, the tank needs to confirm that the target is correct and press the trigger to fire the shell. In this process, any mistake or malfunction in any link can cause the tank to miss or hit the wrong target.
So, in this accidental bombing incident, what went wrong?There are several possibilities:
Human error: Tank operators may have made a mistake in identifying or identifying targets, mistaking an Egyptian post for a Palestinian or Hamas target and giving the ** order.
Equipment malfunction: The tank's rangefinder or other equipment may malfunction or interfere, resulting in the tank's inability to accurately measure the distance and bearing of the target and calculate the wrong firing parameters.
Ammunition problems: The ammunition used by the tank may have quality problems or damage, causing the shell to deviate from the intended trajectory or ** position during flight.
External interference: The tank may have been subjected to external interference or attacks, such as electronic warfare, anti-tank missiles, snipers, etc., which affected the normal operation of the tank or the accuracy of its firing.
Whatever the possibility, it speaks of the negligence and negligence of the Israeli military in this incident. As an advanced** and well-trained army, the IDF should take responsibility for its actions and avoid causing harm to innocent third parties. Rather than simply passing the buck with "accidents".
Why did Israel apologize to Egypt?
The IDF issued an apology and said an investigation was underway in the immediate aftermath of the incident. This is a rare statement of apology, as Israel rarely apologizes or admits mistakes to its military actions. In past Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, Israel has often inflicted extensive damage to Palestinian civilians and infrastructure, but has rarely apologized or compensated the Palestinian or international community. On the contrary, Israel often justifies or blames its actions on the grounds of self-defence or counter-terrorism.
So why did Israel apologize to Egypt this time?There are several reasons for this:
Egypt is an important neighbor and partner of Israel. Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace agreement with Israel and the largest Arab country in the Middle East. Egypt has an important influence and position in the Middle East and is one of the main allies of the United States in the Middle East.
Egypt and Israel have close cooperation in the areas of security, economy, and diplomacy. The accidental bombing of an Egyptian post could damage the basis of friendly relations and mutual trust between the two countries, so Israel must apologize in a timely manner and eliminate the misunderstanding.
Egypt is a key promoter and mediator of the Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire agreement. In the current round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Egypt played an important mediating role, conducted close communication and coordination with both sides, and finally facilitated the conclusion of a ceasefire agreement.
Egypt is also one of the only gateways in the Gaza Strip to the outside world and plays an important role in humanitarian assistance and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. The accidental bombing of an Egyptian post may affect Egypt's ability and enthusiasm for good offices on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, so Israel must apologize and express its gratitude in a timely manner.
Egypt is one of the leaders and representatives of the Arab world. Egypt is not only one of the founding members of the Arab League, but also one of the most influential and prestigious countries in the Arab world. Egypt has extensive support and recognition in the Arab world, and is also a bridge for communication and cooperation between the Arab world and other countries and regions.
The accidental bombing of an Egyptian post could provoke a strong reaction from the Arab world and even a larger conflict and violence, so Israel must apologize in time and de-escalate the situation.
What impact does Israel's apology have on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
Israel's apology, while motivated by respect and cooperation with Egypt, also indirectly sends a signal to Palestine and Hamas that Israel does not want to escalate the conflict without limits or to harm innocent people. Israel's apology also shows Israel's military unreliability and vulnerability, exposing possible loopholes and risks in Israel's military operations. This has the following implications for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict:
For both Palestinians and Hamas, Israel's apology may be an opportunity to see Israel's weakness and weakness, as well as to feel Israel's pressure and plight. Palestine and Hamas may use this opportunity to intensify their own resistance and struggle, to garner more international support and sympathy, or they may seek more cooperation and coordination with Egypt and other countries in order to exert greater political and diplomatic pressure on Israel.
For Israel, an Israeli apology may be a wake-up call for their mistakes and responsibilities, as well as their limitations and risks. As a result, Israel may adjust its military tactics and actions to strengthen its own defence and security, and it may place greater emphasis on the path of peace and negotiation in order to alleviate its isolation and predicament politically and diplomatically.
In conclusion, Israel's apology is a rare event and a meaningful one. It reflects not only the friendship and cooperation between Israel and Egypt, but also the conflict and contradictions between Israel and Palestine. It may have a certain impact on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and may open a window for peaceful reconciliation between the two sides.