Israel hits Gaza for second time in 24 hours after mortar barrage

Hard luck. Facts have to be faced.

Silvienne: "Those were the days," Think you know something, do you? You have gall to post when you know little and understand less.

Dutch... How pathetic: These European antisemites who hope desperately for the destruction of Israel. In the meantime, the Dutch army has killed tens of thousands of civilians in Afgahinstan, Iraq, Kossovo, betrayed the Bosnians, betrayed the Jews in WWII, betrayed the Indonesians, killing 100,000 of them. Yet, nobody is yearning for the destruction of the Netherllands. You are right. Things always come back. There were always people like you. Fotunately not all Dutch are like you.

Israel decided it didn't want to get Shalit back and is in the final planning for the next invasion. The script has been written, years ago and is being followed to a tee. This is just like November 2008. Neither Hamas nor the Israeli gov dives one whit about what collateral damage happens. Both seem to want to maximize it while crying, "look what you made me do." If and when the rockets stop, Israel will look for another way to get them started up again. It's a pathology that has been repeatedly evidenced itself. Gaza can never be free or peaceful or out of Israeli control. No Israeli or Hamas politician can ever allow that. That is the source of electoral power for both.

Hamas or the PFLP fires rockets into Israel-no is killed yet so its OK and Israel is blamed Hamas or the PFLP fires reockets into Israel-Israel fires back and Israel is blamed Egypt delays supplies into Gaza, the Palestinians kill an Egyptian an Israel is blamed Israel supplies food, water etc to Gaza despite Gaza's rulers declared war against Israel and Israel is blamed The usual posters on Haaretz talk back will blame Israel no matter what it does so it should do what it has to do to protect its'citizens just as any other country would do. Just because no one has yet been killed by the current round of rockets from Gaza does not give it legitimacy except in the eyes of those who want Israel to disappear.

"Israel knows it , Egypt knows it and YOU know it " Indeed. It's obvious. Collective punishment for resisting the theft of land.. "WHEN THAT REASON STOP TO EXIST , THE SIEGE WILL STOP TO" Uh huh. I'll bet that only UNSC action will stop Israel from taking more land. "But till then saving lives must take precedent over any other , including ulteriosly cynical , considerations " Taking other folk's land is far more important. Other wise Israel would have stopped in 1948/9. It hasn't.

please welcome them into the U.K and see for yourself how they will knock on your door as well.remember the tube and the bus in central london.

"If you try to murder me and you fail you still go to jail for murder dude!" Go to jail for attempted murder, dude!

For all the people who complain that the Hamas rockets 'aren't killing anyone': What you are saying is that it is fine to fire rockets into Israel, but that the problem is that Hamas does not have BETTER rockets to kill people inside of Israel. As usual, seeing more Jews killed is what will satisfy you. Perhaps you should wish for Hamas to have WORSE rockets in order curb their murderous appetites?

stop whining you sound like a kontankerous, petulant, spoiled little delinquent. In case you do not see it Israel is modern VERY DEVELOPED Country as oppose to rogue states around her. Your death wish for the State of Israel is just that - a dream of a loonatic. Sober up and have some sleep. You spend way too much time on Israelis news-sites... More and more people immigrating to Israel due to it advanced place in the world, you still live in a past. He...He...He...

What if Israel gives back more land? No doubt about it,that would be the end of Israel.The Arabs want no Israel period.

Regardless of how Israel did in Lebanon, I recall that Hamas was boasting prior to Cast Lead about how many Jews they were going to kill. Their plans (as stated) didn?t really work too well. And not to mention the rocket/mortar attacks have lessened, and now Hamas doesn?t take ?direct? credit for it because it would undermine their world beggar status. I am not quite sure you can feel which way the wind is blowing, as cast lead happened well after the Second Lebanon War.

"Didn`t you notice Israel`s defeat in the Second Lebanon War?" did you notice the victory of Hezbollah?! Even its leader is in permanent hiding.

First, there has never been a single Gazan death reported because of starvation. Second, Israel routinely sends in medical supplies. Third, Palestinians again, routinely are treated at Israeli hospitals. Forth, fuel is sent into Gaza all the time (Hamas steals 60% of it) then sells what is left over to the highest bidder. How many time has Hamas intercepted and turned back Israeli convoys of humanitarian aid? Do the Palestinians that live in Gaza have it tough? Absolutely! The self inflicted nature of the crisis (i.e. stealing fuel and not giving it the hospitals, turning back supplies, failing to abide by agreements NOT to attack Israel etc.) all lend itself to the fabricated nature of the "crisis". Mostly Pallywood doing what they do at the expense of their people. Bottom Line: Blame Hamas.

Both sides are displaying a depressing lack of originality.

I thought that other post was too balanced and responsible.

This continuous prattle about Judge Goldstone is nonsense. Can you accept that even when there is a provocation, the response may be excessive? If I were to punch you, would that give you the right to kill me and burn down my home?

to attacks on civilian population of Israel. We all saw what happens when attacks go unanswered. Gaza is a foreign hostile entity and by shooting at Israel by whatever faction indicates the acts of war and must be retaliated.

Even Jimmy Carter couldn't fix it. It's up for grabs and you just have to pick a side. So if I have to pick a side in this situation, I choose Israel. That's my folks. That's all. Hamas? They have Ahmadinejad.

"The world is NOT yet safe for the Jews. We are the minority that survived by the skin of our teeth" AZ. As longe as we Jews behave the way we do it will always be like that.

It seems that you failed to notice that Nasralla apologised to the Lebanese people for dragging them into the disastrous war that you claim as a victory. Can you name one thing that Lebanon gained from that your favorite war? Israel defended itself effectively from a Pearl Harbor-style surprise attack and gained three and a half years of almost complete quiet on the northern border during which (according to foreign sources) an illegal nuclear reactor was blown up and destroyed in Syria. Soon afterwards the instigators of the war in Iran and Lebanon lost their elections and had to resort to fraud to stay in power. That is the way the wind is blowing. If I were you I would think twice before inciting any more wars against Israel. Try it again and you will lose again.

"Didn`t you notice Israel`s defeat in the Second Lebanon War?" I didn't notice either. Did you see something we all missed, honey? Don't be too taken in by the fact that Hez declared "victory". Arabs do that if there is as much as one man left standing. It is a cultural thing.

This article is odd it stated earlier that Targets were one tunnel to israel one to wgypt one weapons tunnel one weapons work shop why are 14 year olds in or around any of these places? World let's help gaZan kids not grow up into terrorist this will require u to get off your arse and condemn reasons why a 14 yearold would be involved in any of those illicit practices It's sad, sad for such a young life to be lost, sad that he didn't get to have a proper 14 yearold life, sad that the world will condemn israel when it acted quite fairly in it's target choice and warning of gazans something world will probably overlook and assuch Hamas will probably not mind another 14 yearold working in the illicit business

YES, respond to every rocket until the militants decide that the price is too high for them to attack innocent civilians.

..when the world turns away from them and abandons their state as violent entity no longer worthy of upholding. Things come back. You should all know this.......Dutch

Israel knows it , Egypt knows it and YOU know it . WHEN THAT REASON STOP TO EXIST , THE SIEGE WILL STOP TO . But till then saving lives must take precedent over any other , including ulteriosly cynical , considerations .

"Let me give you a little piece of advice: every time you start a war with Israel you will have another piece of lost territory to cry over" Those were the days, when Israel's wars stole another piece of someone else's land...no longer though. Didn't you notice Israel's defeat in the Second Lebanon War? A little reminder of which way the wind is blowing nowadays for Israel...

Gaza declared war on Israel a long time ago, when declaring its eternal enmity and desire to destroy Israel. Therefore what Israel does is but a response, an act of self defence. H L Wipprecht Cobalt, Ontario

Don't you ever pay attention? It was the Arabs who rejected the Partition Plan in 1947 and invaded Israel in 1948. Since the ceasefire agreeements of 1949 the south of Israel has been part of Israel including Sderot, Ashkelon, Beersheva and Eilat. Let me give you a little piece of advice: every time you start a war with Israel you will have another piece of lost territory to cry over.

If there would have been a response by Olmert after the FIRST rocket, not the 8,000th, the Pals would understand the Israelis mean business. Why is Israel obligated to sent anything to Gaza, after all the terror they initiated. The so-called blockade, that doesn't exist, is a result of Hamas behaviour. How much can the Israelis take. In truth, electricity and water should be shut, too. Why should Israel have ANY obligation to supply an enemy bent on Israel's total destruction. Let Iran and Syria supply their evil cousins. If the the shoe was on the other foot, Israelis would get zero, zippo, from Gaza, only non-stop bombs. Time to stop apologizing for the awful behaviour of Gazans.

Does Israel have any other option than to hit back ?! Blaming Israel for doing what every one is supposed to do is no more than a stinking unjust standards ! And what is that except the hated anti-Semitism of our time ! When rulers & head of states are among those who deny the existence of the holocaust ! The world is NOT yet safe for the Jews. We are the minority that survived by the skin of our teeth !

... Sderot, Ashkelon, Ashdod and Be'er Sheva all lie within the Arab partition of UNGA Resolution 181 (Partition Plan). This was the border declared by Israel on its creation in 1948 and immediately recognised the US and others. The border has never changed, and therefore until a peace-deal is reached and final borders are set, all of these towns/cities lie on occupied Palestinian land and are not "Southern Israel".

If one fires a weapon at someone, the crime is attempted murder, which is what the Gazans are guilty of. This is considered a crime in most countries. Maybe not in your part of the world.

Np pne has been killed by the rockets fired from Gaza. Wrong, several people have been and some seriously injured (loss of limbs, for example), but Israelis are wrong to fire back, according to you. Israel has been supplying electricity, water, fuel and food to a group of peoplel who say that Israel has no right to exist. Strange type of warfare. And for those who think that six rockets is nothing... Have any of you been to Israel. The whole country is the size of New Jersey (and that includes the Negev). What would those of you in the US say if Cuba launched six rockets at New Jersey to say nothing of over 8,000 in several years!!

The fact is that every rocket fired on Israel has the intention of killing hundreds of innocent civilians. Those firing them have every intention of wiping out as many Israelis, men, women and children as they possibly can. Israelis are blessed that there have not been more causalities than there have been. Israel has a right to defend itself. It uses nowhere near the force another country it its same situation would use, all the while warning Gazans beforehand and giving them aid. If there truly was a concern for Gaza's citizens, they would stop all the effort of firing onto Israel (which they KNOW will result in retaliation), and focus on building Gaza's structure and self-sustainability.

Palestinian children, but the Palestinians have no right to respond.

The openning of the crossings are part of the Oslo agreement. When Hamas took over Gaza they rejected these accords, so why Israel should still fullfil its part?

The ending of rocket fire from Gaza. Amusing that even when Israeli officials are dodging arrests warrants for war crimes in the United Kingdom, by closing the crossing and therefore inflicting collective punishment Lieberman and Netanyahu are now open to arrest if they come to the UK in the capacity of private citizens. Oh well they know what they are doing and Pasta in the stomachs of children is an existential threat to Israel.

If the Gazans stopped shooting rockets, there would be no retaliations, therefore no Gazan deaths. The people of Gaza could stop this cycle tomorrow. If I let off a rocket at an Israeli town and a retaliatory strike killed someone, I'd feel responsible for that death, wouldn't you?

"... where you get to drop bombs on their kids while you tell them not to shoot at yours" Sir, Inflammatory lies you indulge in do not help your pro Arab cause. Primitive moralizing is not understanding. Suppression of "liberation organization" that engages in aggressive activities beyond 67 borders Arabs proclaim to accept is not "bombing their kids".

Eric Britain is not blockading Ireland so we have no reason to fire low grade mortors on them. Israel is blockading Gaza and what you call a soverign state is consistently expaning its territory at the Palestinian's expense. It would be nice if your soverign state defined it's borders.

"What would happen if ten mortar shells from Cuba landed in Southern Florida?" And herein lies the problem. You don't even know? But yes, we do already know. President Kennedy was seconds away from starting WW III because Cuba had missiles on the ground, not even ready to fire.

but if you murder me for "thinking" that I'm going to murder you, without producing any "solid" evidence, only the "assumption" that I wanted to murder you, who is the true killer here?

the Gaza strip was declared as an "enemy entity" by Israel in 2007 the judgement on Gaza has been passed, rockets or not, Israel will always find an excuse to bomb Gaza.

Lessons 1 to 7:Israel right left and centre is always to blame Mark Lincoln and his biased twisted,upside down and back to front view of the ME conflict

""They don`t have the decency to respect their neighbors rights. I imagine that`s what the rocket fire is about to begin with."" Their neighbours rights?The rights to terrorize civilians in Israel? Egypt just announced that they will build a steel wall deep in the ground on their border with Gaza to cut the underground tunnels through which the strip is getting supplies.I wonder why don't they start raining rockets on Egypt in response?Maybe because they know that the Egyptians would just wipe them out if they do.No other country would ever put up with what Israel puts up with from this scum

Israel is a very small country 20,000 sq. kilometers. a few mortar shells is equivalent to hundred times the amount in Britain. What would Britain do in such scenario. what would a free country do in such case? It shows how pathetic you people are when dealing with Jews.

I think the disconnect is where you get to drop bombs on their kids while you tell them not to shoot at yours. Their rockets hit empty dessert, yours his people and houses. That is what they don't get. Why is it OK for you to kill them for being seen from the border, but it's not OK for them to shoot back? Maybe if you explain it in simpler words without the false claim that you didn't mean to his the kids and other noncombatants you can't seem to miss every time.

I love how the arabs claim responsibility after each attack...isn't that nice of them??? And the world, so concerned when it comes to Jewish retaliatory strikes, is mudo when it comes to missiles and rockets falling into Israel. Ahh, well, it's only Jews and of course the Jews should've all died for their sins-right? My anger is with the leadership of Israel. If you say Never Again then damn it-mean it!

If you try to murder me and you fail you still go to jail for murder dude!

The Gazans can't control the erotic thrill of their terrorist acts against Israel. It's as if they are children playing with fireworks for the first time. Well, sometimes you have to pay for your thrills. They may find that the price for their fun will be very high. They will then whine like spoiled children.

Now that Hamas' pantry is full again after the last chastising by Israel and the party leaders have regained their excess weight, they again start foolishly playing rough in their Gazan sandbox and start flicking sand in their Israeli neighbor's faces provoking yet another swat at their sandcastle. Some kids never grow up and contribute to society.

ask Fatah and the Israeli Moussad who launched those missiles, never look at the action, always look who would benefit from such actions...not hamas...

The PFLP incited this, and that fact should be broadcast all over Palestine. I'm not in favor of Israel's air strikes, just not condemning them at this point. You're still justified.

I can't believe the way some people on this board respond. You all seem to have no sense of reality. Militant groups that want to rid the world of another culture fire mortars and rockets into a sovereign nation with the intent of killing people, and people on this board respond with an attitude that supports and defends these violent acts. Ask Russia what they would do if Romania or another old Eastern bloc country fired a missile at them across the border; or Ireland on Great Britain; North Korea on Japan. Wake up people! Because ?no one was hurt? or ?no damage done? doesn?t OK the act.

Be prepared to get mauled

"Earlier Thursday, the Israel Air Force dropped thousands of warning leaflets over Gaza, warning Gaza residents to stay away from the border with Israel and to avoid involvement in smuggling" Why, yes! That would definitely be something the most moral army in the world would do, haters!

Lesson 1: It was far harder to provoke a Palestinian repeal of the cease fire after Israel voided it than in 2008. Lesson 2: The Palestinians can still be provoked into doing what the government of Israel wants. Lesson 3: So long as the Palestinians can be provoked into doing what the government of Israel wants, then the Palestinians will lose because Israel has an overwhelming superiority in fire power. Lesson 4: Hamas has figured out how to defeat Israel, but there are plenty of marginal Palestinian organizations of the lunatic variety, who are more than willing to defeat Palestine because that is what the government of Israel wants them to do. Lesson 5: As long as there are Palestinians willing to do what the government of Israel wants them to do, Palestine will lose. Lesson 6: As long as there are Palestinians willing to do what the Israeli right wants them to do, Israel will lose. Lesson 7: As long as the Israeli right and Palestinian lunatics are allowed to rule. . . .

David Israel, What Israel & Clinton offerred Arafat in 2000 was a patched quilt. There was nothing viable or sovereign about such a land mass especially with the Israeli Army controlling the entry & exist points The Palestinian people haven't come this far to accept such a crappy offer from the Israelis. I am so glad Arafat came to his senses and rejected it. It was an insult to the dignity of the Palestiian people. And as far as what must be eradicated I suggest you start with the root cause and not the symptoms (such as Qassams and suicide bombers) as 14 justices did at the International Court ofJustice in the Hague when they ruled unanimously all Israeli settlements must be dismantled and void & Israeli forces must return to the 1967 Green Line My, how you have gotten things upside down treating the symptoms but not the cause. Yet it seems so typical of Israeli BS trying to short change the Palestinian people whenever possible. What ugly greed! Dutch

Goldstone must be sharpening his pencils.

If a criminal pulls a knife on you and you defend yourself with an handgun then you are obviously a criminal by your logiC. Then by your logic ISRAEL use of F16S to deal with mortar and rocket attacks is also criminal....rather faulty logic isnt it old boy?

Similarly one could also say that Arabs could have easily speared all of the bloodshed since 2000 by accepting the Bill Clinton parameters presented at Camp David, supported by most of the free world and Arab states but rejected by Arafat. But that does not change the fact that no matter what deliberate targeting of innocent civilians using qassams or suicide bombers must be confronted and eradicated. What would have happened if that Nigerian Abdulmuttalib was successful at Detroit bound plane? Would you be supporting him by saying that th e lives lost could have been speared if US had not defended against Al Kaida after 9/11 or USS Cole or the African embassy attacks?

People are so quick to tell Israel to stop complaining about a "few rockets" as though it isn't a big deal. If a single rocket fell in your neighbourhood, your entire country would be outraged. Admit it, you don't have a clue what is really going on in Gaza.

israel has the right to use all available means to protect itself from the "liberation "acts carried by the the inhabitants of GAZA (eX-Egiptians?)

Gazans get plenty of food, mostly through Israel, and some through Egypt. They also get electricity and water and fuel through Israel. Nobody is starving. It is true that certain products are not allowed in. I will leave it to you as an exercise to find out what these products are, and why. Remember, Hamas by their public charter and lethal actions, are at war with Israel. Until the war ends, little progress can be made. Please don't use terms carelessly, otherwise your words will have no meaning. History has many instances of real sieges, and they are not pretty.

You seem to have conveniently forgotten that the people of Gaza voted Hamas into power

otherwise it will go on and on and on. Pals too want to live and feed their children. Justice delayed is justice denied!

...so I have no idea what you are talking about? If you mean 2 Israelis and 1400 Gazans, how do you think I feel? And that 1400 is only due to Cast Lead. Israelis kill Gazans often, as you and I both know.

Funny isn't it, that the same day that the "peace activists" are allowed into Gaza, the militants fire rockets, knowing full well that Israel won't retaliate at that precise moment. Cowards.

Similarly one could also say that Arabs could have easily spread all of the bloodshed since 2000 by accepting the Bill Clinton parameters presented at Camp David, supported by most of the free world and Arab states but rejected by Arafat. But that does not change the fact that no matter what deliberate targeting of innocent civilians using qassams or suicide bombers must be confronted and eradicated. What would have happened if that Nigerian Abdulmuttalib was successful at Detroit bound plane? Would you be supporting him by saying that th e lives lost could have been speared if US had not defended against Al Kaida after 9/11 or USS Cole or the African embassy attacks?

To answer your question, why don't you sit on the street corner next to your police station and shoot non-lethal ball bearings from your slingshot at the officers going through the door. Come back here and post your experience after you are released from the hospital or the morgue.

Stop making excuses for the gazans. They could feed themselves if (1) they did not put all their money toward weaponry (2) stopped all violence toward Israel and started working in their fields (3) made damn sure there would be no more rockets fired into Israel.(4) had leaders that were concerned for the welfare of its people (5) had leaders that did not steal everything of value from its people (6) had a mentality to live Now not die now (7) didn't have idiot nations continually giving billions in aid and getting NOTHING in value back (8) having foreigners like yourself making excuses why the palestinians live in a cesspool(9) your accepting the fact that arabs have 22 countries that do not allow jews in or let christians pray their way--talk about apartheid (10) LET THE JEWS LIVE IN PEACE IN THEIR OWN LITTLE COUNTRY- It is a disgrace unto allah that the people of the book are not allowed to live in peace in their holy land

"the day Israel responds to each and every thing set their way with a F-15 delivered 500 pound bomb (1 for 1) is the day the mortar shells will stop" That's also the day that Israel will finally achieve pariah status in the world. Remember the Palestinian dead of Operation Cast Lead and the Goldstone Report. Is it worth it, for rockets that mostly fall in the desert and don't kill anyone?

Hamas warns IDF: Stay 300 meters away from border fence ... No?

Or are you saying that Israeli victims of Qassams such as Dorit Benisian Yuval Abebeh for you count as no-one?

Israel could have easily spared those youngsters lives and Gazans by withdrawing from the territories as is mandated in UNSC Resolution 242 along time ago and later by abiding by the cease agreement made with Hamas in 2008. (see the URLs below.) Thus Israel has no one to blame but itself and its unlawful presence in the territoreies and its criminal blockade of Gaza depriving those people of their basic sovereign & human rights. Dutch http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/14/leading_israeli_scholar_avi_shlaim_israel

""A people who tolerate terrorists in their midst are the soil that grows them"" Easy for you to say, safe in America. The civilians of Gaza...especially the women and children...are helpless in the face of both the militant groups and Israel.

No injuries, no damage? Gaza is sure to pay for this with lots of damage and lots of civilian deaths. What better way to celebrate victory over Goldstone findings suppression and Cast Lead than Cast Lead 2010? Is this the reality of the poor Israelis in the south - the same ones who claim that thousands "missiles" rain down upon them? I can't remember the last time i read about any Israeli actually being hurt from a rocket, or any real property damage. Yet, we hear more about the poor Israelis in Sderot who must sweep up rcoket debris with a dust pan and broom than we do about 1500 Gazans offed by indiscriminate bombing by F15s, Merkovas and white phosphorous...

the day Israel responds to each and every thing set their way with a F-15 delivered 500 pound bomb (1 for 1) is the day the mortar shells will stop--As for the wringing of hands over the "poor innocent civilians" that would be killed--"A people who tolerate terrorists in their midst are the soil that grows them"--

People's comments left on here are so disrespectful and insane. How can you justify supporting Gazaians when all they do is shot rockets at Israel, Guns at Egypt and their Fatah brothers... To me it seems like rich, well off people from the free world will always support weak groups around the world regardless of rationality or guilt

"They have been launching thousands of deadly rockets at Israel for years, bless their little hearts you say? Well thats the way some of you are talking" Very funny. Those deadly rockets have killed no-one, while thousands of Gazans are dead...

How dare those Gazans try to resist their terrible existance.

The continued silence to the ILLEGAL firing of weapons into Israel from gaza gives terrorists tacit approval to kill Jews. But G-d forbid if Israel strikes back! There will be a new commission to condemn Jews for daring to defend themselves!

Israel never look for peace is just a show for the world! they feel they are superior and nothing will stop them. I think Israel will be in for a surprise soon

Dorit Benisian Yuval Abebeh and then let me see you calling this hardly a barrage of anything.

Israel pulled its soldiers out of Gaza. But what it then did to the Gazans is worse than the soldiers could do. Israel is committing a crime against humanity. If Israel wants to see the rockets stop, it might consider stopping the effort to starve the Gazans to death. Israel says an average of 80 truckloads a day of international aid enters Gaza: almost an admission of genocide. According to the UN World Food Programme, Gaza with a population of 1.4million requires daily 400 trucks of food just to meet basic nutritional needs. Israel also forbids entry of building materials, electrical appliances, spare parts for cars and machines. If you had a wife and children in Gaza you also might want to fire a few rockets

What plant do you live on. Gaza was given back. The Palestinians fire rockets and motars into Israel, the Israelis respond, what part dont you get? Wake up and smell the espresso.

I note that "dozens of aid trucks that were prepared to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza were waiting at the crossing" this morning. Even during the Gaza operation last year Israel delivered more than 37,000 tons of humanitarian aid on 1503 trucks, and 1,535,750 liters of heavy duty diesel for the Gaza power station. Since the end of the IDF operation in Gaza (18 Jan 2009), 703,224 tons of aid and 105,600,128 liters of fuel have been delivered to the Gaza Strip. I agree that building materials must be in very short supply. Doesn't look like a seige to me.

I suggest relocating Gaza right in the middle of Iran. ------------ Well.why not removing israel to Alaska or California? I believe there is enough place for Israelis.

go back to your homes, israelis. let the people of gaza live in peace. stop the occupation. stop that horrible apartheid system. stop the oppression. let the world live in peace. stop this endless harrassment.

Danny, bad analogy. The USA doesn't control ALL imports into Cuba, the USA hasn't fenced in Cuba, and the USA doesn't stand with guns pointed at Cuba.

#3 your queries are very poignant. In reality Gaza is no more than a huge prison camp. Everything in, everything out, regardless of means, is controlled by the holy ones. The three year siege is not an act of war though. Gaza is not a country. But an ongoing war crime yes in every sense of the word. And for anyone stupid enough to ask what's not getting in, the question must be turned around. What is getting in. And why the women of children of Gaza should not be suffering as a result. Those 139 trucks in Egypt carrying humanitarian aid are not there to put on a show. Thank the lord 100 are now in, and the rest will follow.

Israel has a perfect legal right to fire back in self defense to destroy an enemy firing position shooting at its civilian population. Any military authority will define a proportionate as shredding every tree, shrub and man-made structure within 100 meters of the mortar position with artillery and bombs, to assure knocking it out. What any army anywhere would do. The photos with the article show that mortar was fired among civilian structures in Gaza - a clearly defined war crime. It is no war crime for Israel to fire back in this manner, even if Gaza civilian structures are within 100 meters. The ONLY war crime is terrorists launching behind civilians, and nobody knows this better than Goldstone himself. Look at how Obama responds to terrorist bases that are nowhere near US civilians, with drones killing hundreds in Pakistan 10,000 miles away. EU, UN,Goldstone has no problem with this. Israel has equal right to obliterate terrorist firing positions actually shooting at its people.

It is fortunate that no one in Israel was hurt, but that was mere luck. People have been killed by these rockets and the fact that Israel warned Gazans is a repeat of what the IDF did to warn before attacks dring Cast Lead. Does any country other than Isreal when attacked by another supply the attackert with water, electricity, food and medical supplies. I think not.

Miggy correct me if I am wrong, the tunnels are into Egypt, and that's because Egypt has cut off Gaza as well? Gee why do you think so! You fire rockets and missiles into Israel, and they, the Israelis shut the border....it makes sense to me. How do you explain the other border with Egypt?

Should be moved to a different location far from Israel so the people of Israel can live in peace, I suggest relocating Gaza right in the middle of Iran.

They have been launching thousands of deadly rockets at Israel for years, bless their little hearts you say? Well thats the way some of you are talking.

"...something residents of Dresden could not dream about." -17- Nor could the residents of all the villages slaughtered by Attila the Hun or the Vikings from Norway. What is your point? That Gaza is not Dresden so all is fine and therefore criticism is misplaced? Come on, you're too intelligent for that.

the start of Cast-Lead, the sequel. Let's hope not. Not for the sake of the hardliners but for the sake of the ordinary Gazans and Israelis.

to make agreements.Their claimed intention to stop cross border missiles recently being a case in point.

you destroyed wtc london madrid and now brainwashed soldiers also fight wars for you. double winners. you destroy cities and send them fight to wrong direction. you are doing this all the time.

Art. 31. No physical or moral coercion shall be exercised against protected persons, in particular to obtain information from them or from third parties.

How would you react if 3-4 rockets landed on your street every morning for 7 years? Or ewven for 7 days? Would you call that "making a mountain out of a molehill"?

" Israel declared the closure of the Red Sea in 1967 as a an act of war. Isn`t the air and sea blockade of Gaza a lot worse" The Gaza blockade is due to rocket fire against Israel in the first place. Anyone home?

not for lack of attempts by the Palestinian terrorists! Thankfully, the IDF and Shin Bet manage to foil some, the infamous (but now obviusly needed) separation wall foils the rest....

What would happen if ten mortar shells from Cuba landed in Southern Florida? By the help of Heaven no one was injured in Israel, but does that mean Israel is not allowed to strike back? There should be a PA election so the world can know who really speaks for the Pals.

....prior to the 4th of july.

The folks in Gaza shoot back when struck! Who would have thought it? The firm of Netanyahu, Lieberman and Barak that's who. Getting a war started has been a bit more difficult this year than in 2008, but it seems to be working. But then has the government not been talking up a new Gaza war for some months now? You can bet that the PRC, PFLP, Islamic Jihad, or whom ever has the mortars, would welcome a little action too. Anything to stop the dreaded threat of peace.

that prevents one slaughter after another. How many children can Hamas kill with ONE Qassam on a kindergarten? How many with a sucide bomber that gets on a bus? The IDF precautions are what prevent "Obliteration of Israel by Islam" PS Dont you feel you have enough credibility to use your own handle?

The rockets against Israel are a crime, and must stop. Reasonable and proportionate response by Israel, including wounding or killing the rocket-firers, is legitimate; indeed necessary. However, in response to 7 tockets, none of which caused damage, stopping humanitarian supplies to over a million people is also a crime. And the other parts of the article show up other crimes. By what right does Israel bomb tunnels between Gaza and Egypt? The only possible justification is law enforcement, with Israel as the occcupying power responsible for law enforvement. But in that case she is also responsible for humitarian supplies.

What did you think- that they would live peacefully with you? They're like sharks: When they smell blood and weakness, they frenzy. Only a heavy fist keeps them in check.

If 6 mortars constitute a 'pummelling' then what would you call the thousands of bombs dropped during operation cast lead ?

Lock people in a room, with very limited access to food and other suppplues, and then don't tell them when or indeed if, they will ever get out. Don't be surprised if after a while they start banging on the door.

... totally counter productive... what gain will this bring them...?

That's like saying 'central Israel flooded' when a bath overlows in Tel Aviv. Now Cast Lead, that was a pummelling. I expect the Israeli government is building up to somthing like that again to deflect attention from all its failures.

Ten times as many Israelis died on Israels roads from traffic accidents last year than "terrorism".Statistically you are more likely to die from a bee-sting or peanut allergy in Israel than a "terrorist" attack.

So it's twisted to ask them to have nothing to do with the tunnels. Does Israel expect the animals in the giant zoo to co-operate with their captivity?

humanitarian supplies - something residents of Dresden could not dream about.

Do you ever report what Israel is really doing to Gazans?

I would hardly call that a barrage of anything with 3 rockets in the Negev and 3 -4 at the Kerem Crossing. I have seen more action from a mild thunder storm. Indeed, I would say that is making a mountain out of a molehill and wouldn't you know it the punitive little Israelis are shutting down aid deliveries to Gazans as a result. What bullies! They don't have the decency to respect their neighbors rights. I imagine that's what the rocket fire is about to begin with. Dutch

We sure showed them. Peace in our time.

Obviously nobody should be firing missiles at Israeli civilians but I'm curious about the legal status of Israel's seige. I guess it's under no obligation to open its land border to Gaza, but the sea and air blockade, and the closure of the border with Egypt by Israel's ally there, all produce a seige situation which causes substantial hardship to Gaza civilians. Israel declared the closure of the Red Sea in 1967 as a an act of war. Isn't the air and sea blockade of Gaza a lot worse, because Gaza, unlike Israel then, has no other means of bringing in supplies?

Maybe the time is right to invite Judge Goldstone to a conference in Netivot. This way, when a rocket or mortar drops near to him, he can advise how best to deal with the inconvenience! Maybe someone should suggest that he leaves a "Will" behind, just in case one of the rockets ends up a bit too close!

Was Hamas that weakened, by the last round? Or are the other groups just out of control? Apparently the Israeli politicians are ready and so is the IDF for another round of invasion and sack of Gaza. If Hamas shuts the others down, will that forestall the invasion? Maybe not, Hamas might reconcile with Fatah. And only civilians will suffer on both sides.

Thanks to the British policy regarding Cast Lead operation and the Goldstone report they now fill them self authorized ones again to commit terror crimes against Israeli civilians (as usual) I hope that in the light of these new waves of terrorist attacks the world opinion should be able to open the eyes and recognize the real criminals. Egyptians apparently learned the lesson very quickly