A Lesson on Civilians in War From American History

Incompetent commanders have hidden behind the skirts of women and children for as long as armed conflict has been around.

Palestinians displaced from their homes as a result of Israeli raids on Hamas targets in Gaza City, Gaza, on Oct. 13, 2023. Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

Commentary

Israel has no shortage of critics claiming that its conduct in its current war with Hamas is “disproportionate.” They’ll grudgingly admit that Hamas broke a ceasefire, slaughtered more than a thousand Israeli civilians, and took dozens of hostages.