My Fox Houston reports that this retaliatory attack by Israel is the “single bloodiest day of fighting in years.” Most of those killed were Hamas security men but civilians were also killed.
According to Reuters Africa Snap Analysis today’s offensive by Israel on the Gaza Strip could bring about a higher level of violence with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
A series of Palestinian rocket attacks against Israel started weeks ago when Hamas ended a six months Egyptian-brokered ceasefire. Israel’s Defense Ministry indicated that it planned on pursuing a longer campaign of wider actions against Hamas, which would include the targeting the militant group's leaders.
"We face a period that will be neither easy nor short, and will require determination and perseverance until the necessary change is achieved in the situation in the south," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said.
According to Israeli analyst Ron Ben-Yishai, today’s disproportionate strike was a “shock treatment . . . aimed at securing a long-term ceasefire between Hamas and Israel on terms that are favourable to Israel."
Hamas has vowed revenge without describing what form the action would take.
The UK’s Telegraph reports that Gordon Brown expressed “deep concern” over the Israeli air strikes on Gaza and said that the only way to reach a "lasting solution" was through "peaceful means".
"I am deeply concerned by continuing missile strikes from Gaza on Israel and by Israel's response," Mr Brown said.
"As the Quartet stated on December 15, peaceful means are the only way of reaching a lasting solution to the situation in Gaza. I call on Gazan militants to cease all rocket attacks on Israel immediately.
Reuters reports that “the Bush administration has typically taken the position that Israel has the right to defend itself.” President Bush is on vacation at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said:
"Hamas must end its terrorist activities if it wishes to play a role in the future of the Palestinian people," Johndroe said. "The United States urges Israel to avoid civilian casualties as it targets Hamas in Gaza."
They will escalate. The IDF is amassing on the border, they are waiting for the go ahead from HQ. Operation Cast Lead has begun. This time I do believe that they will take back Gaza. They should never have left!
ReplyDeleteI think this will escalate.
ReplyDeleteThe Israelis will do what they think is necessary.
BTW: Where's Obama on all this?
Or can we expect him to wait for the Israelis to act, then bloviate? Rhetorical question.
I dissent. Olmert has neither authority nor political capital to expend. Worse yet, he lacks a clear understanding of the situation.
ReplyDeleteHamas is not a cancer that can be removed by surgery, leaving a healthy body. Hamas is Islam, which is as predatory as a pack of lions. Until the lions become extinct, the predation will continue. See my recent series on Islamic Supremacism and my earlier series on Jihad for the despicable details.
Shrub is not sincere in his vocal support for Israel. He will soon, under escalating pressure, revert to demanding restraint, cease fire & surrender. He will continue feeding Israel to the alligators.
None of this is going to improve until we (and Israel) elect honest, conscientious & courageous leadership willing to face up to and deal with objective factual reality. The situation is hopeless.
I don't think Olmert or Kadima could have held the IDF back any longer. They were fed up with the attacks.
ReplyDeleteHamas ended the so-called truce. And this is the result. Be prepared to see pictures of dead children. They hide behind them.
And now the world blames Israel as usual! Reuters reports that "The Bush administration has typically taken the position that Israel has the right to defend itself.” Imagine that???
ReplyDeleteIf history repeats itself, we will have a little fighting, then a truce (so the enemy can re-arm), then a little fighting, ... nothing settled, violence to continue, not good.
ReplyDeleteDebbie Hamilton
Right Truth
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ReplyDeleteWell, Tzipi just said HAMAS is getting the Corleone family style hit - months of target lists, rocket stashes, tunnels and especially known cats in the HAMAS hierarchy are being vaporized on an hourly basis.
ReplyDeleteZooming out for a sec, Little Satan is pre empting to shape the violence on a regional scale.
Note that Hiz'B'Allah just mobilized (which may mean Little Satan is setting them up using the Strip as bait), Chief Body Part Collector Nasrallah dissed Pyramidland (who is sitting this one out) Iran (who is keeping their panzers and combat jets far away) are claiming that all mohammedists should act out.
HAMAS' website is screaming that the entire world is afflicted with Palestinian Sympathy Fatigue.
Little Satan is daring Persian Proxies and Iran herself to respond by ripping the guts out of HAMAS, which means Little Satan is most likely ready for it.