For purposes of this conversation you can use citizens, civilians, and children interchangeably

no, you cannot, read the conversation again.

most people have closer relationship to their own kids than to some other random co-citizen. so if some clown claims, for a sake of his argument, that he would be willing to sacrifice his own kids to protect… literally anyone else, you know he is a moron, or a liar. or both.

All are examples of collateral damage, and many of Hamas’ human shields will fit into multiple categories.

sure, but that was not the point of my remark.