Showing posts with label israel hamas war. Show all posts
Showing posts with label israel hamas war. Show all posts

Friday, December 7, 2012

The Real Reason Why Israel Went To War Last Month Against Hamas



How Close Did Israel Just Come To Its Own Cuban Missile Crisis? -- FOX News

HAIFA, Israel – Hundreds of Iranian-made, long-range missiles already smuggled into Gaza provided a secret sense of urgency behind Israel's recent campaign against Hamas, and the the Jewish state acted with the Obama administration's full knowledge, intelligence experts told FoxNews.com.

Jonathan Schanzer, a former counter-terrorism analyst at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, said the real agenda behind Israel’s assault last month on Hamas’ munitions stockpiles and smuggling tunnels was not simply to end the daily barrage of relatively primitive rockets that have become part of daily life in Israel. The real mission was to eliminate as many as 100 Iranian-built Fajr5 missiles - with the power to reach Tel Aviv - that had been sneaked into Gaza through Egypt. The Obama administration knew in advance of the operation and agreed that the missiles, built in a Sudanese factory, had to be neutralized to protect millions of Israeli citizens who were now within range of the deadly Iranian weapons, according to Schanzer.

Read more
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My Comment: I suspect that there were many reasons on why Israel went to war against Hamas .... but neutralizing the long range missile threat was probably high on their list.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Israeli Press: Hamas Won



Israeli Press Declares Victory for Hamas -- Spiegel Online

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought to claim Wednesday's ceasefire deal as a personal success. But not many seem to agree. Influential commentators in Israel believe that Hamas came out ahead -- and that the Islamist group has now been elevated to the status of negotiating partner.

If you believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Gaza offensive, which just came to a halt as a result of the Wednesday evening ceasefire agreement, was the jewel in the crown of his political career. "We need to navigate this ship of a state in stormy waters with responsibility and wisdom, that's how a responsible government acts," he said in praise of himself during a statement to the nation on Wednesday. "We've executed a military action but also stayed open for a diplomatic solution."

Read more
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My Comment
: Not really .... Hamas crossed a red line that forced Israel to act. The end result was 1500+ military strikes from Israel that killed a few top Hamas commanders, destroyed key government buildings, wrecked the Gazan economy, and put Hamas on notice that Israel will return and do the same if they continue to launch missile attacks into Israel. If anything .... Hamas and much of Gaza should be relieved that an Israeli ground invasion did not occur. As to who was the real winner in this conflict .... in my opinion it was Egypt. They are the ones who told Hamas to stand down when Hillary Clinton asked for their help .... and they then delivered.

Update: The American press also believes that Hamas won.

Commentaries, Opinions, Analysis, And Eitorials On The Israel - Hamas War



The Key Players In The Israel-Gaza Conflict -- Al Jazeera

As Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire, we look at the main players in the conflict and what they hope to achieve.

A ceasefire has come into effect in and around the Gaza Strip, after Israel and Hamas agreed to cease hostilities, following diplomatic efforts in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Cairo.

Many Palestinians in Gaza City took to the streets to celebrate the truce on Wednesday night, blasting car horns and setting off fireworks from rooftops amid celebratory gunfire.

The Egyptian foreign minister announced the ceasefire agreement hours before it took hold at 1900GMT on Wednesday.

So who have been some of the major players involved in the latest Israel-Gaza conflict?

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Commentaries, Opinions, Analysis, And Eitorials On The Israel - Hamas War

Going from Pillar to truce -- Vijay Prashad, The Hindu
Analysis: Success of Mideast cease-fire demands patience and forward-looking approach rare in the region -- Allen Pizzey, CBS News
A New Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire -- New York Times editorial
With Clinton’s shuttle diplomacy success, focus turns to long-term Mideast solution -- Anne Gearan, Washington Post
Gaza crisis: Jeremy Bowen on a fragile ceasefire -- Jeremy Bowen, BBC
A most uneasy truce -- Melanie Phillips, Daily Mail
Winners and losers from Gaza fighting
-- AP
Israel dominates the new Middle East -- Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post
Netanyahu risks condemning Israel to perpetual war -- New Statesman
Analysis: Egypt proves peace role can survive Arab Spring -- Reuters
After brokering Israel-Gaza truce, Egypt to push for Hamas-Fatah unity -- Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz
History Will Change, As Israel’s Withdrawal From Gaza Emerges in a New Light -- Michael Freund, The New York Sun
Hamas emerges stronger from Gaza war
-- Haroon Siddiqui, Toronto Star
Hamas the ‘winner’ of Gaza truce -- Euronews
Seven Truths About Israel, Hamas and Violence -- Jeffrey Goldberg, Bloomberg
Gaza Ceasefire Doesn’t Solve the Fundamental Problem -- Mortimer Zuckerman, US News and World Report
Don't Let Hamas Win -- Will Marshall, Real Clear World
Liberman: Israel will eventually need to overthrow Hamas -- Jerusalem Post
Israel and the Impossible Peace with Hamas -- William Sullivan, American Thinker

Gaza-Israel Ceasefire Still Holding



Gaza And Israel Calm As Cease-Fire Holds -- Voice of America

A cease-fire that halted eight days of deadly fighting between Israel and Hamas held firm Thursday as thousands of flag-waving Gaza residents poured into the streets, while in Israel the mood was more subdued.

Following a night of quiet skies after an Egyptian-brokered truce deal came into effect, Gaza's Hamas prime minister hailed the territory's multiple militant groups for respecting the cease-fire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government was “giving the truce a chance” but was prepared for the eventuality it could collapse. As a precaution, schools stayed closed in southern Israel, where nerves were on edge after a constant rain of rockets during the most serious Israeli-Palestinian fighting in four years.

Read more ....

More News On The Ceasefire Between Israel And Hamas

Live coverage of the conflict in Israel and Gaza -- Reuters
Gaza crisis: Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement holds
-- BBC
Calm returns as Gaza-Israel ceasefire holds
-- Al Jazeera
Gaza ceasefire holds but mistrust runs deep -- Reuters
A violent day in Gaza, then silence, then celebration -- McClatchy News
Gazans sweep up, head home as truce holds through first day -- L.A. Times
Gaza Residents Relieved on Day One of Cease-Fire -- Voice of America
Gaza and Israel begin to resume normal life after truce -- BBC
IDF reservists released after Gaza op: 'We'll be back' -- YNet
Israel pulls back from Gaza, invasion force intact
-- Reuters
Israel's Battle Damage Report Says Hamas Crippled -- Reuters
Israel, Hamas declare cease-fire, promise new talks on Gaza issues within 24 hours
-- McClatchy News
Hamas cries victory; truce with Israel holds
-- AP
Gaza war offers boost to Hamas leader Meshaal -- Reuters
Israelis Skeptical as Gaza Cease-Fire Takes Hold
-- Voice of America
Southern Israelis disappointed by Gaza cease-fire -- AP
Many Israelis denounce cease-fire accord, say job is unfinished -- McClatchy News

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

How Long With The Israel - Gaza Ceasefire Hold?



A Cease-Fire — But For How Long? -- Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post

The Post reports: “The Egyptian government announced Wednesday night that Israel and Palestinian leaders in the Gaza strip have agreed to halt hostilities after eight days of Israeli bombardment of the enclave and hundreds of rocket strikes inside Israel. Standing alongside Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who engaged in intensive shuttle diplomacy aimed at ending the conflict, Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Amr told a news conference that the cease-fire would begin at 9 p.m. local time (2 p.m. in Washington).”

However, Hamas is undeterred. (“Despite the agreement, rockets continued to be fired from Gaza into southern Israel after the truce formally began, news services reported.”)

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My Comment: I agree with this analysis that believes that if Egypt plays it's enforcer role of keeping calm in the region, the ceasefire will hold. Unfortunately .... what I expect will be more of this.

Who ‘Won’ The Israel-Gaza War



Who ‘Won’ The Israel-Gaza Conflict? -- Max Fisher, Washington Post

As the cease-fire between Israel and Gaza takes effect, it’s worth asking what the week-long conflict, which has left five Israelis and at least 140 Palestinians dead, actually accomplished. It’s probably too soon to know the answer for sure, but some early signs are emerging regarding who the conflict may have helped, who it hurt, and what it may have changed.

The biggest losers here will likely be, as they so often are, the civilians in Gaza and in nearby southern Israel, where Hamas-fired rockets and Israeli airstrikes caused dozens of deaths. If the fundamentals of the Israel-Gaza conflict remain unchanged, then it is difficult to see either this latest round of fighting or the cease-fire breaking the cycles of violence driving the conflict. In that sense, the short answer to “who won” is no one.

Read more ....

My Comment:
What's my take .... aside from crippling the infrastructure that Hamas uses to rule Gaza ..... Israel has gained nothing from this war. As for Hamas .... it's back to square one .... minus the infrastructure.

Update: Who Won in Gaza? Body Language and the Cease-Fire -- Karl Vick, Time

Ceasefire In Israel - Gaza War



Israel And Hamas Ceasefire With Immediate Effect Is Confirmed By Egypt -- Daily Mail

* U.S. Secretary of State holds series of talks in West Bank, Israel and Egypt
* U.N. Sec Gen Ban Ki-moon said there were 'many details to work out'
* News comes after today's bombing in central Tel Aviv, injuring at least 15
* Overnight, Israel carried out more than 30 Israeli airstrikes over Gaza
* Ministries, a banker's villa, a stadium and a Hamas-linked media office were hit
* Israel also said it bombed tunnels along the Gaza-Egypt border
* UN aid agency says 10,000 Gazans have sought shelter in UN-run schools

Israel and Hamas agreed on Wednesday to a ceasefire brokered by Egypt on the eighth day of intensive Israeli fire on the Gaza Strip and militant rocket attacks out of the enclave, Israeli, Palestinian, and Egyptian sources said.

Egyptian state TV earlier had a news conference at President Mohamed Mursi's palace in Cairo where U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the ceasefire alongside Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr.

Read more
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More News On Today's Announced Ceasefire Between Israel And Hamas

Gaza Live Blog
-- Al Jazeera
Gaza conflict: ceasefire announced in Cairo – as it happened -- The Guardian
BBC Coverage of the Israel - Gaza Conflict Live -- BBC

As ceasefire takes fragile hold, Hamas celebrates victory, Netanyahu defends truce deal -- Times of Israel
White House Officials Say Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire is ‘Tenuous’ -- ABC News
Gaza ceasefire goes into effect -- Al Jazeera
Gaza ceasefire announced in Cairo -- The Guardian
Ceasefire Between Israel, Hamas Comes Into Effect -- RIA Novosti
Israel and Hamas Agree to Gaza Cease-Fire -- ABC News/AP
Tentative Ceasefire Agreed Between Hamas And Israel -- Christian Science Monitor
A shattered Gaza celebrates cease-fire between Israel and Hamas -- Washington Post
Gaza City residents celebrate Hamas ceasefire with Israel -- The Guardian
Gaza celebrates as ceasefire starts -- The Australian/AFP
Palestinians to respect truce if Israel does: Meshaal -- Reuters
Hamas says truce requires opening of Gaza crossings -- Reuters
Israel to further open Gaza crossings -- YNet News
Israel's battle damage report says Hamas crippled
-- Reuters
Gaza deal seals major role for Egypt's president -- AP
Egypt’s Morsi emerges as key player -- Wall Street Journal
How the Gaza Truce Makes Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood a Peace Player -- Tony Karon, Time
Gaza cease-fire: Clinton role shows US still dominant in tough neighborhood -- Christian Science Monitor
Israel-Hamas ceasefire: how much has been achieved in the past week? -- Ian Black, The Guardian

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Hamas Shows No Mercy To Accused Israeli Spies



Six Israeli 'Spies' Executed Before Baying Mob In Gaza City, Before Motorbike Gang Drags One Bloodied Victim Through The Streets -- Daily Mail

* More than 110 Palestinians and three Israelis dead since Operation Pillar of Defence began last Wednesday
* Security guard stabbed at the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv earlier today
* Palestinian gunmen shot dead six alleged collaborators in the Gaza Strip who 'were caught red-handed' and chained them to a motorcycle and dragged it throughout the main streets
* Hamas health ministry officials: A father and his two sons - thought to be aged two and four - were killed overnight
* U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is due in Israel for crisis talks
* In Cairo U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate ceasefire

Six men accused of being 'Israeli spies' were dragged through the streets of Gaza City and executed in front of a chanting mob today as Israel warned Palestinians to evacuate some areas of the territory in apparent preparation for a ground invasion.

Witnesses said the six were taken to an intersection in the north of the city where they were summarily shot for providing intelligence that helped Israel pinpoint key figures in Hamas and the Islamic Jihad targeted by their warplanes.

Read more ....

Update:
Hamas kills suspected collaborators with Israel -- AP

My Comment: Gaza is now entering a very dark place .... expect more retribution and killings among Palestinians in Gaza.

News Websites And Live Updates On The Israel-Gaza War



Live Updates

Gaza Live Blog -- Al Jazeera
Gaza conflict: ceasefire agreement expected - live updates -- The Guardian
Israel-Gaza violence live -- BBC
Latest Updates on the Gaza Conflict -- The Lede
Conflict along the Gaza Strip Live -- Reuters
Reports from CNN on the ground in the Gaza-Israel conflict -- CNN

News Websites From Israel

Arutz Sheva
Jerusalem Post
Haaretz
Times of Israel
YNet News

News Websites From The Palestinians And The Arab World

Al Jazeera: Gaze Crisis
Ahram Online
Al Bawaba
Daily Star
Ma'an News Agency
Palestinian News Network
Palestinian News & Info Agency

Commentaries, Opinions, Analysis, And Editorials On The Israel - Gaza War



A Surreal Experience In Gaza -- Nicole Johnston, Al Jazeera

In the late afternoon there’s a stillness in Gaza. It’s as though an entire city is at home and the life that once spilled onto the streets is locked indoors. No one knows how long this will last for.

It’s winter but the weather is lovely. In the evening people are usually out strolling the streets. It’s too chilly for the beach, but not for a seaside shisha or coffee.

When I lived in Gaza last year, I’d walk home from a restaurant at this time of year.

Read more ....

More Commentaries, Opinions, Analysis, And Editorials On The Israel - Gaza War

It's Hamas, stupid
-- Lawrence J. Haas, The Commentator
Gaza Without End -- Roger Cohen, New York Times
The Sounds in Gaza City -- Wasseem El Sarraj, New Yorker
More to Gaza than meets the eye -- Business Day editorial
'Streets determining Middle East path' -- Robin Wright, CNN
Invading Gaza -- Washington Times editorial
Israel should rethink its strategy against Hamas in Gaza -- Benedetta Berti, Christian Science Monitor
Doing The Unthinkable -- Daniel Gavron, Daily Beast
A decisive conclusion is necessary -- Gilad Sharon, Jerusalem post
Hamas leaves Israel no choice -- Danny Ayalon, The Guardian
Can Israel end this war at a time of its choosing? -- Christa Case Bryant, Christian Science Monitor
Israel’s just war -- Jonathan Kay, National Post
Israelis ponder alternatives to 'mowing the lawn' in Gaza
-- Christa Case Bryant, Christian Science Monitor
Israel's Goals, Hamas' Choices, and Egypt in the Middle -- Alan Johnson, World Affairs
Gaza crisis: The legal position of Israel and Hamas -- Guglielmo Verdirame, BBC
How this could be the last Gaza war -- Khaled Elgindy, Special to CNN
Israel's mission in Gaza is not about security -- so what is it about? -- Nadia Hijab, Special to CNN
Name of Israel’s anti-Hamas operation has biblical meaning -- Dan Gilgoff, CNN.com Religion Editor
Analysis – Gaza conflict undermines Palestinian president -- Euronews/Reuters
Longing for an Arab-Israeli Spring -- Faheem Younus, Washington Post
Israel’s Fatal Game
-- Peter Beinhart, Daily Beast
Middle East melting down into ‘Obamawar’
-- Frank J. Gaffney Jr., The Washington Times
U.S. approach to Gaza-Israel talks shows new reluctance to referee Mideast conflicts -- Hannah Allam, McClatchy Newspapers
How Obama Can Use Pressure to Bring Peace -- Dan Raviv and Yossi Melman, New York Times
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton rushing to Middle East. Why now? -- Peter Grier, Christian Science Monitor
Q&A: Israel-Gaza violence -- BBC

Israel - Gaza War -- News Updates November 20, 2012



Egypt: Hamas, Israel Cease-Fire Likely To Be Announced Today -- McClatchy News

CAIRO — A six-day negotiation led by Egypt appears likely to result in a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas that may be announced as soon as today, marking a major de-escalation in a conflict that has killed at least 116 Palestinians and four Israelis and threatened to devolve into all-out war.

An adviser to Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi told McClatchy that the deal was near and could be announced at 2 p.m. EST, 9 p.m. in Cairo, and that the cease-fire would take effect at 5 p.m. EST – midnight in the Middle East.

Read more ....

More News On The Israeli - Gaza War

Gaza Live Blog
-- Al Jazeera
Gaza conflict: ceasefire agreement expected - live updates -- The Guardian
Israel-Gaza violence live -- BBC
Latest Updates on the Gaza Conflict -- The Lede
Conflict along the Gaza Strip Live -- Reuters
Reports from CNN on the ground in the Gaza-Israel conflict -- CNN

Gaza crisis: Israel ground invasion plan 'on hold -- BBC
Israel faces attack on cyber front as artillery, air fight with Gaza continues -- Washington Times
In Jerusalem, terrifying moments as sirens wail -- USA Today
In Israel, resignation to the cycle of violence -- Washington Post
In Southern Israel, Urban Dwellers Learn to Sprint for Bomb Shelters -- New York Times
Palestinian rocket targets Jerusalem for 2nd time -- AP
Gaza war: Ashkelon's weary residents resigned to more violence -- The Guardian

Hamas kills suspected collaborators with Israel -- AP
Gunmen kill 6 'collaborators' in Gaza: witnesses -- AFP
Hamas Can Replenish Arsenal -- If Egypt Lets It -- Spiegel Online
Israel urges Gazans to evacuate their homes -- Al Jazeera
Gaza crisis: Palestinians shelter in Gaza City school -- BBC
In Gaza, line between militants and population is thin -- Washington Post
Some Gazans defiant, others want peace -- USA Today

Backing Tough Talk, Israeli Premier Wages 1st War -- New York Times/AP
Israel wants long-term solution to Gaza crisis -Netanyahu -- Reuters
Israel PM says hand held out in peace, other holds sword -- AFP

Israel Denies Hamas Report of Truce -- Voice of America
Hamas leader: Cease-fire with Israel is close -- AP
Hamas Says Gaza Truce Agreed, Israel Says No Deal Yet -- Reuters
Gaza Crisis: Hamas Claims Ceasefire Agreed - but Israel Denies it -- International Business Times
Gaza crisis: Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas 'imminent' -- BBC
Gaza Ceasefire To Be Announced -- ABC News
Hamas Says Cease-Fire Deal 'Close'; Clinton Heads to Region -- Wall Street Journal
Clinton Visits in Effort to Defuse Gaza Conflict; Egypt Hints at Truce -- New York Times
Israel Cease-Fire to Be Agreed Within Hours, Egypt’s Mursi Says -- SFGate/Bloomberg

Clinton’s Mideast talks don’t include Hamas leaders
-- Washington Post
Obama sends Clinton to Mideast amid Gaza crisis
-- AP
Clinton on her way to Middle East amid Gaza crisis -- USA Today
Clinton’s Most Important Mideast Talks May be in Egypt -- Wall Street Journal
Obama calls Egypt's Mursi to discuss Gaza conflict -White House -- Reuters

UN Security Council Falls Silent on Gaza Fighting -- ABC News/AP
US blocks UN Security Council action on Israel-Gaza conflict -- Reuters

Skirmishes in the Israel-Palestine battle over photos of dead children -- Washington Post
In pictures: Israel-Gaza violence -- BBC
A New Gaza War: Israel and Palestinian Militants Trade Fire -- Time

Has A Truce Been Agreed Upon In Gaza?



Hamas Says Gaza Truce Agreed, Israel Says No Deal Yet -- Reuters

(Reuters) - A Hamas official said on Tuesday Egypt had brokered a Gaza ceasefire deal that would go into effect within hours, but a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "we're not there yet".

"An agreement for calm has been reached. It will be declared at 9 o'clock (1900 GMT) and go into effect at midnight (2200 GMT)," Hamas official Ayman Taha told Reuters from Cairo, where intensive efforts have been under way to end seven days of fighting.

Netanyahu spokesman Mark Regev told Reuters the announcement was premature and Israeli military operations in Gaza, territory run by Hamas Islamists, would continue in parallel with diplomacy.

Read more ....

More News On the Conflicting Reports That A Gaza Truce Has Been Agreed Upon

Gaza Live Blog
-- Al Jazeera
Gaza conflict: ceasefire agreement expected - live updates -- The Guardian
Israel-Gaza violence live -- BBC
Latest Updates on the Gaza Conflict -- The Lede
Conflict along the Gaza Strip Live -- Reuters

Gaza Crisis: Hamas Claims Ceasefire Agreed - but Israel Denies it -- International Business Times
Gaza crisis: Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas 'imminent' -- BBC
Gaza Ceasefire To Be Announced -- ABC News
Hamas Says Cease-Fire Deal 'Close'; Clinton Heads to Region -- Wall Street Journal
Clinton Visits in Effort to Defuse Gaza Conflict; Egypt Hints at Truce -- New York Times
Israel Cease-Fire to Be Agreed Within Hours, Egypt’s Mursi Says -- SFGate/Bloomberg

Update: Hamas is backing down from their previous statement that a truce has been agreed upon.

Hamas Dares Israel To Invade Gaza



Hamas Leader Dares Israel to Invade Amid Gaza Airstrikes -- New York Times

GAZA CITY — The top leader of Hamas dared Israel on Monday to launch a ground invasion of Gaza and dismissed diplomatic efforts to broker a cease-fire in the six-day-old conflict, as the Israeli military conducted a new wave of deadly airstrikes on the besieged Palestinian enclave, including a second hit on a 15-story building that houses media outlets. A volley of rockets fired from Gaza into southern Israel included one that hit a vacant school.

Speaking at a news conference in Cairo, where the diplomatic efforts were under way, the Hamas leader, Khaled Meshal, suggested that the Israeli infantry mobilization on the border with Gaza was a bluff on the part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

Read more ....

My Comment
: The Hamas leader talks about peace but he appears to be a man who has no interest in pursuing peace .... for him it is continual war. What's my take .... both sides have been building up for the past year to have this fight .... the Syrian civil war diverted everyone's attention for a short time, but they are now they are focused on their conflict.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Hamas Popularity Grows With Each Day Of The Conflict



Hamas Wins Over Its Doubters In Gaza With Battlefield Prowess -- Christian Science Monitor

Economic stagnation and political frustration steadily eroded Gazans' support for Hamas after it took over in 2006, but support is rebounding because it is seen as standing up to Israel.

Hamas’s headquarters, commanders, and weapons caches may have taken big hits in the past week, but not its popularity, which appears to be rebounding. Gazans fed up with the Islamist organization’s government of Gaza, including its high taxes, alleged corruption, and strict interpretation of Islam, have put such concerns aside to champion the group’s willingness to take a stand against Israel.

Read more ....

My Comment:
If the Palestinians believe that getting their ass-kicked by the Israeli air force is some form of victory .... they are in more trouble than what I thought they were in. All conflicts will end, and for the people of Gaza and the Hamas government ..... their economic/social problems will still be there.

Israel Is Running Out Of Targets



Target Troubles -- Washington Free Beacon

IDF Maj. Gen. (Res.): Israel ‘running out of targets’

Israel faces a turning point in its war against Hamas militants, according to Maj. Gen. (Res.) Dan Harel, former deputy chief of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF)’s General Staff and a former head of its Southern Command.

Israel is “running out of targets” after launching more than 1,300 coordinated attacks on terrorist entities and weapons facilities in the Gaza Strip since the start of Operation Pillar of Defense, Harel told reporters during a conference call organized by the Israel Project Monday.

“We are moving quite fast to a turning point,” he said.

Read more ....

My Comment:
They are running out of hard targets in their air campaign .... the next phase is usually a ground one .... but will Israel invade Gaza? That is quickly looking to be the case.

The Role Of Social Media In The Israeli - Gaza Conflict



Cyberwar And Social Media In The Gaza Conflict -- International Herald Tribune

LONDON — The grievances in the Gaza war may be as ancient as the history of a torn and tangled region that underpins one of the world’s most intractable disputes. But the weapons are spanking new, reflecting the nature of war in the cyber-era.

As I mention in my latest column for the IHT, both sides are trying to harness social networks to promote their rival versions of the unfolding and uneven battle between the conventional might of the Israel Defense Forces and the rocket-firing units of Hamas’s armed wing.

Read more ....

More News On The Role That Cyberwar And Social media Plays In The Gaza Conflict

Israel and Hamas wage social media fight via social media platforms -- Washington Post/AP
Israel and Hamas battle on social media as well -- AP
Israel, Hamas Fight Gaza Conflict Online -- Voice of America
The fight for public opinion and warfare on the Web
-- Haaretz
Psychological warfare on the digital battlefield -- Haaretz
Israel and Hamas' Social Media Battle Goes from Groundbreaking to Bizarre -- Forbes
When war is pre-packaged for sharing
-- CNN
Israel and Gaza Battle Twitter War Over Rocket Attacks -- Daily Beast
Hamas Shoots Rockets At Tel Aviv, Tweeting Every Barrage -- Danger Room
Israel and Hamas wage social media fight via social media platforms -- AP
IDF vs. Hamas War Extends to Social Media -- PC Magazine
Israel and Hamas deploy Twitter feeds in media war -- The Guardian
Twitter and other social media now another front in Gaza attack -- L.A. Times
Israel's Defense Forces use social media to battle Hamas -- UPI
In Israel-Palestine Conflict, Social Media Gets 'Weaponized' -- Huffington Post/Reuters
Israel, Hamas Fight Twitter War -- Huffington Post
Israel wages Twitter war with Hamas over Gaza -- The Independent
Twitter War Erupts Between Israel and Hamas During Gaza Strikes -- ABC News
Israel Defence Forces and Hamas trade threats on Twitter -- CBC
Israel and Hamas wage online war of words -- France 24
In Israeli Attack on Hamas: Shock, Awe and Social Media -- New York Times
Israeli military puts Hamas on notice via Twitter -- The Hill
Israeli Military, Hamas Battle It Out In Reality -- And On Twitter -- Radio Free Europe
IDF-Hamas Gaza Twitter War: the Spin in Real Time -- The Wrap
Hamas, Israel and why social media like Twitter and Facebook are a new front in the war for Gaza -- Ian Burrell, The Independent
Analysis: Media war rages in Gaza -- Al Jazeera

Israelis See The Iron Dome Missile Defense System As A Game Changer


Iron Dome: Missile Defense System A Game Changer, Israelis Say -- CNN

(CNN) -- Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system is figuring prominently in the unfolding aerial conflict with Hamas' military wing in Gaza.

Iron Dome is being credited with protecting Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities by blocking some of the rockets fired from Gaza.

Over the past three days, 737 rockets from Gaza were fired upon Israel: 492 landed, but 245 were intercepted by the system, Israel Defense Forces said Saturday.

The name Iron Dome evokes an image of a protective bubble over a city. In practice, Iron Dome is a defense against short-range rockets and mortar shells: the system targets incoming rockets and fires an interceptor missile to destroy them midair.

Read more ....

My Comment: I suspect that many countries are now looking at the Israeli Dome System for their own defense networks.

Hamas Underground Missile Launchers Are Far More Sophisticated Than First Thought



Video: Sophisticated Hamas Underground Missile Launchers -- Haaretz

The sophisticated underground rocket launcher system in Gaza has been exposed by the terrorist organization in a video.

MAGHAZI REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip — From the time he was a boy, Ali al-Manama dreamed of joining the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Hamas movement. His commitment intensified when his father, a Qassam fighter, was killed by an Israeli drone in 2001 as he fired mortar shells over the border. Ali joined up at 15, relatives said, and by 23 had risen to be a commander in this neighborhood in the midsection of this coastal Palestinian territory.

On Friday, at the funeral of a fellow fighter, Mr. Manama leaned over the body and said, “I’ll join you soon, God willing,” recalled a cousin who spoke on the condition that he be identified only by his first name, Mahmoud.

Read more ....

My Comment: The New York Times provides more information on how sophisticated and disciplined Hamas has become in firing rockets against Israel. The New York Times link is here.

Mapping The Israeli - Hamas Conflict



Israel-Gaza Violence In Maps -- BBC

Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza are trading fire with air strikes and rocket attacks amid the latest eruption of violence.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for an immediate ceasefire.

Israel's offensive began with the killing of Ahmed Jabari, the leader of Hamas's military wing, on 14 November. His assassination followed months of cross-border violence and mounting tensions.

Negotiations to find a peaceful settlement in the region broke down in 2010. Indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority ended in January without agreement. There have been no direct talks between Israel and Hamas.

Israel is mobilising up to 75,000 army reservists - but Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi has said an Israeli ground invasion would have "serious repercussions".

Read more ....

Previous Post:
These Maps Are The Most Important In Israel Right Now


My Comment
: Bottom line .... a conflict is now being raged in a region that is one of the most densely populated in the world.

Israel Continues Airstrikes Against Militant Targets In Gaza



Israel Keeps Up Gaza Strip Bombardment -- Al Jazeera

Media centre hit for a second day as the death toll in the Palestinian territory reaches 100.

Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip have continued for a sixth day, despite calls for a truce, with the overall death toll reaching 100.

A media centre was targeted for a second time on Monday when Israeli fighter jets hit the Shuruq tower in Gaza City. The building houses Palestinian and international media outlets, including Britain's Sky News, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya and the official Hamas broadcaster, Al Aqsa TV.

Read more ....

More News On The Israeli - Gaza Conflict

Conflict along the Gaza Strip Live -- Reuters
Gaza-Israel violence - Latest -- BBC
Israel-Gaza: truce talks ongoing in Cairo – live updates -- The Guardian
Gaza Live Blog -- Al Jazeera

Palestinian Death Toll Rises as Israel Presses Onslaught
-- New York Times
Death toll rises as Israel pounds Gaza Strip -- Washington Post
Palestinian death toll mounts as Israel targets Hamas -- CBC/AP
Israeli Airstrike Kills Top Islamic Jihad Commander
-- ABC News
Gaza militant group says top fighter killed -- AP
Hamas says Israel must make first move on ceasefire
-- Reuters
No slowdown in Gaza-Israel hostilities; Egyptian official optimistic on cease-fire -- CNN
As Gaza fighting continues, both sides voice fears about a land war -- L.A. Times
Israel hit by millions of cyber attacks -- Salon
Hamas sticks to truce demand, Gaza toll 96 -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Fatah, Hamas agree to unite over Gaza crisis -- AFP
Israel says prefers diplomacy but ready to invade Gaza -- Reuters
EU ministers express concern about Gaza crisis
-- Stars and Stripes/AP
Gaza invasion: it's been done before, but this is different
-- Reuters
The Israel-Hamas conflict’s unintended consequences -- Robert Danin, CNN/CFR
CNN Poll: 57% of Americans say Israeli attacks in Gaza are justified -- CNN
Israel’s Fatal Game -- Peter Beinhart, Daily Beast
Israel losing popular support in the ‘new’ Middle East, analysts say -- Nidal al-Mughrabi, National Post/Reuters
In Pictures: Gaza conflict -- Al Jazeera