IDF chief: Gaza war against Hamas was an 'excellent' operation
Second round of fighting in Gaza is not a matter of choice for Israel; it must be initiated by Israel and must be 'swift and painful,' Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz says.
By Amos Harel Tags: Gaza war Gantz Hamas Gaza rockets Mossad Gabi AshkenaziIsrael Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz marked the three-year anniversary of Operation Cast Lead on Tuesday by hailing it "an excellent operation that achieved deterrence for Israel vis-a-vis Hamas." However, he warned, cracks have emerged in that deterrence over time, and a second round of fighting in the Gaza Strip is not a matter of choice for Israel.
Such a round must be initiated by Israel and must be "swift and painful," he said, adding, "I do not advise Hamas to test our mettle."
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Benny Gantz speaking with Ilana Dayan Tuesday on Army Radio. |
| Photo by: Courtesy of Bamachaneh |
Speaking on Army Radio on Tuesday in honor of Shirutrom, the IDF's annual telethon, Gantz gave his most wide-ranging interview since taking office more than 10 months ago. His predecessor, Gabi Ashkenazi, gave no interviews to the civilian media during his four years in office. Only once a year, in honor of the telethon, did he agree to any interviews at all.
Gantz appears to be taking the same tack, although sources close to him say he will be interviewed by the civilian media in the future.
In response to a question by interviewer Ilana Dayan regarding the timing of such an attack, Gantz said, "We will act when the conditions are right."
In reference to the debate over the best way to act against the Iranian nuclear program, Dayan asked Gantz whether his position and that of the new Mossad chief Tamir Pardo were not as strong as that of Ashkenazi and the former Mossad head, Meir Dagan. Gantz rejected the idea, stating, "Whoever should hear, hears my voice loud and clear."
Last November, after Yoav Galant was appointed to succeed Ashkenazi as chief of staff and Gantz retired from the IDF - only to return as chief of staff three months later when Galant's appointment was rescinded - Gantz told Haaretz he was proud he did not have to compromise his principles in the race for chief of staff.
Much of the interview was devoted to high-profile issues in the media of late, such as women singing in the IDF. Gantz characterized an incident last week in which female soldiers were prevented from singing at a Hanukkah ceremony at a basic training camp as "not good." He said he would act to prevent such occurrences in the future and would order an investigation into the incident.
Gantz also made a distinction between official IDF ceremonies, where he said he would not allow Orthodox soldiers to leave while women were singing, and entertainment, where Gantz said "we can and should respect [Orthodox soldiers' wishes to leave the hall]."
"We don't quarrel with people. We look for how we can serve them," he added.
"Women's singing is not banned and ... the person who decides what happens in the room is the commander. The State of Israel and the IDF must make clear that the only authority is that of the commanders," Gantz told Dayan.
Gantz apologized again for a recent exchange with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, interpreted by some as an insult to women. "I was mistaken in the way I expressed myself," he said, referring to a comment caught on tape during a recent Golani Brigade exercise in the Golan Heights.
"Women will serve everywhere they need to serve. They can contribute operationally and can function in an operational environment," Gantz said.
Gantz noted that the defense minister had approved the recent round of top appointments he made. He said the appointment of Brig. Gen. Nitzan Alon as GOC Central Command had nothing to do with Alon's statements against the extreme right. He attributed Alon's appointment solely to his skills.
It appears Gantz successfully navigated his first media test, conveying the messages he wanted to convey and avoiding unnecessary pitfalls. And yet it may be hoped that, next time, Gantz will take somewhat more of a risk and speak on the record to the civilian media as well.
Another question, one that did not come up in the interview, remains unanswered: Why does the IDF, with massive funding at its disposal each year, still need to hold a telethon and scrounge for pennies from civilians?
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"Listen. I am not Israeli. Your leaders are not my leaders and I'm not afraid at all". My comment: I am not surprised at all. You as well as all the other Arabs living in Israel say the same thing. Why should you have a reason to be afraid? We don't harm you. You can only be harmed by a Palestinian suicide bomber by being in the wrong place n the wrong time. You say: "I consider myself as Palestinian, so does my family and 10 million other Palestinians on earth." My comment is; that most of those 10 million Palestinians must be in Jordan. I ask you if you thin that Jordan belong to Palestine? I never hear anyone of you Palestinians claim that. No wait, I remember when I was a paratrooper in September 1970 in the "Black September when thousands of you Palestinians ran from Jordan chased by late king Hussein. You preferred to come over to Israel in order not to be killed by the Jordanians. Remember? You write: "I think Jerusalem should also be the capital of a future Palestinian state." I ask you: Do you mean the whole of Jerusalem or only the East of Jerusalem? About your writing on the "Occupation is for me the key obstacle". I agree with you. We tried to give back 97% and land in exchange for the other 3 %, But your leader Yassir Arafat rejected this. Maybe we can try again, but it has to start with us sitting down and admitting that both your people and my people have the right to exist. You write about security that: "Palestinians is even more important as they don't even have weapons, nor tanks, nor an army to defend its territory. My comment: Do you consider Hezballah and Hamas as Palestinians? They seem to have more rockets and guns than most European countries have... You write that; ""Israel's policy consist in gaining time in order to build more and more and grab more and more. My comment is that if this is true, there is a good reason for you to stop You write; ..."hundreds of thousands go down to demonstrate but when it comes to Palestinians and occupation, they are only a hundred considered as traitors to the nation". My comment is that now you are lying to our readers. Were you not in Tel Aviv when we were 100.000 Jews and Arabs together demonstrating for peace? Tell me when there where 100 Palestinian demonstrators going to the streets of Gaza or the West Bank? You write that; "Hamas is not the problem. Hamas did not exist 20 years ago and still Israel had issues with occupation and Palestinians demonstrating in the streets." My comment is: Isn't it troublesome for us to have a "peace partner that promise to exterminate us? You write that: "Even Abbas is considered as a danger for Israel. My comment is that Abbas is finished. He is gone. The question is if Hamas will take over the West Bank, something they can easily do if Israel do not stop them. Regarding Lieberman, he is a hawk and no good for the Israel I love. But we use democracy here, and he will remain here until he is voted out, something I work for. You write: "Israel needs some serious moral examination before it's too late." I ask you; What about your leadership? You write: "Israel has the keys for peace, not the Palestinians" I answer you are wrong! It takes 2 for a tango. You have to accept that we have a state and recognise us and our right to live under the borders of 1967. When this is done, will will do the same. who are ready to establish a State on only You write the you are ready to live on "22% of the territory. That's a major move considering the fact that they used to live on ALL the land." My comment is that: show me Hamas is ready for this. After all they are in your government. You never had "ALL the land" There have always been Jews living here. Dont repeat a lie hundreds of time for to convince the the readers. from 1850 the majority in Jerusalem were Jews. I can proof that to you! You write: "My family lost the house in Katamon. Do you know that area of Jerusalem? I answer you; Yes I know Katamon very well. If you the Palestinians had accepted the Partition Plan by the UN in 1947, Your Palestine would have been bigger than of what you are prepared to accept today. But your Palestinian leadership together with our neighbour countries choose to attack us for to grab as you put it "ALL the land". This is the reason that you can not live in Katamon. Be fair to yourself and your offspring and tell them the truth. now the place is emptied of arabs....something to think about.
It was over an hour or so ago.You can rummage through your ASHCAN surely And Find it
nothing, but nothing lasts forever. Israel will not always be in the position whereby it can dictate to not only those under the jackboot, but also those in surrounding countries. With the inevitable & terminal decline of the USA (who thought that a few years ago) Israel will lose its only benefactor on the World stage and will find itself truly alone. The cost of funding the settlers, the IDF better schooling & general infrastructure, will force the Israelis into a more humble status with its neighbours, the current cold war will bankrupt the country. This, I look forward to and hope it happens in my lifetime.
What man chews the cud and splits the hoof? So stop trying to worry about if I'm abiding in the law. One thing I know is My Name. And I wont profane it by the word of a reckless priest that teaches idolatry and the way of elijah 1 2 or 3. Ye have not known that fire was brought on not only the bullock but the alter, the water and the twelve stones. rabbi say what? How does one stretch his body over the dead body of a boy 3 times with intent? LOL you nasty necro! rabbi what? talmud what? mishna what? I wish one of you would spit on my wife or my daughter Id knock your f******* block off. All you priest that despise My Name.
They are victims of famine, drought, floods, earthquakes, and other unpreventable natural disasters for which they had nothing to do with. However, Gazans are victims of their own stupidity: first they elect a terrorist organization, and then they send thousands of random rockets into the neighboring country, continuing even after they were repeatedly warned that retaliation would follow. To think that they would just be able to continue raining rockets down on Israel without getting a response is sure childish idiocy and they paid for their stupidity and they will continue to pay until they wise up. Nuf said!
Only when Palestinians stop educating their children to hate - peace will arrive.
I move to send the entire haaretz staff to gaza to defend the home country!!!
Duet 20 this way it can be ended once and for all. 1. we know they refuse peace. The problem is there are to many people in this part of the land, but you must take the land. 2. The Lord wants this to be done a certain way since they are already in the land. Lay siege on the land and forewarn the women to leave with the children if they want to live. Start pushing them to the south (women and children) and systematically take the land. This is not an occupation. Take the spoil and give it back to the widow and the fatherless. This way you can keep your Father. If you do not hearken unto this law and do shed Innocent blood it will surely be returned upon your head. And no, I do not have to be jewish because I know My Name. Now be a champion and profane not the name of The Lord. How does one take The Lords name in vain if he doesn't know his name? Do you know your name? Yes there are to many names in the place where My Lord wishes to rest his feet. Only one will last forever. I thank the Lord for the Torah! I thank the rabbis for the talmud and mishna for there words bind them up and cast them out. They can not retract. Ask the rabbi why we don't mingle wool with linen. Ask the rabbi the name of the one and only living G-d. They are not allowed to say his name because they have not known it. Surely abraham is recorded amongst the children of Israel. Surely The Lord binds them in confusion and madness. Hearken on to the law of Horeb. All you priest that despise My Name.
they cheered? where do you get that from? source? think you're thinking of the other side there.. no cheering of death in Israel period! simply a very anti-semetic remark!
They certainly did, they were shown on the UK newsreels in their tall hats.
Anti-Semitic??? HAHAHAHAHA!!!! He is not criticising Jews, he is criticising the stae of Israel. You stupid useless propagandistic being. Damn you zionists use the anti-semitic card more than I have had hot dinners.. how pathetic! BTW most Palestinian arabs are SEMITIC too.
So much for a "peaceful two state solution based on the 67 borders." Just smoke and mirrors for the eventual attempted destruction of Israel. They'll lose and yet again will get to make all the demands at the negoriating table.
Over 1500 most women and children were massacred with the Zionist state using human shields and using phosphorus bombs and this sick man calls it successful. If that's a success i don't know what a failure would look like.
By golly it sure was ..Even when the terrorists hide behind tgeir women & children putting them in harms way..YESS it was "AN EXCELLENT OERATION" God bless all the Israeli military..that put their life on the line to DEFEND the Eretz Yisrael..The ones who call him names TOUGH TITTY,,
I searched all over the place. Wanted to wish you a Happy HanuKKah. Read your post with interest.
A RECIPROCAL HAPPY HANUKKA TO YOU GOD BLESS YOU AND ISRAEL
Among IDF's measures to reduce civilian casualties were the extensive use of leaflets and phone messages to warn Palestinians, including families in high-risk areas and families of Hamas personnel, to leave the area or to avoid potential targets. Israel used F-4 Phantoms to deliver more than 2 million leaflets urging the population to evacuate. In a practice codenamed roof knocking, the IDF issued warning calls before air strikes on civilian buildings. Typically, Israeli intelligence officers and Shin Bet security servicemen contacted residents of a building in which they suspected storage of military assets and told them that they had 10–15 minutes to flee the attack. At several instances, the IDF has also used a sound bomb to warn civilians before striking homes. In some cases, IDF commanders called off airstrikes, when residents of suspected houses have been able to gather on its roof. IAF developed small bomb that is designed not to explode as it was aimed at empty areas of the roofs to frighten residents into leaving the building. Israel's military used low-explosive missiles to warn civilians of imminent attack and to verify that buildings were evacuated before attacks. Some of the attacks took place sooner than the warning suggested and many calls were not followed up with attacks. The Israeli Government report notes that while the warning systems implemented by the IDF did not eliminate all harm to civilians, they were apparently effective, because in many incidents aerial video surveillance by IDF forces confirmed the departure of numerous residents from targeted areas as a direct result of the warnings before the attacks.
Some residents of Gaza were given a 5 minute notice telling them to leave; when they did they were bombed in UN compounds and hospitals in spite of the IDF having the co-ordinates for these 'safe havens' -others were killed as they ran from their houses. You omit to mention the fact that Gaza has no bomb shelters..and effectively had nowhere safe to run to. This so called warning was just for propaganda appearances.
Warmonger
He is a defender of his people. The people who he kills are "warmongers", much like slanderers and people who libel. I hope that is clear for you now.
I'll answer that - because the IDF knows how to defend its population. And if you've never talked to a soldier you wouldn't know that they all have to go through incredible steps to minimize civilian casualties that other armies don't even think abt.
Actually, get your history right. Hamas renounced suicide bombings as a tactic realizing they weren't achieving anything. Before you commend war crimes, try making sure you have your timeline and facts correct, buddy.
Those young innocent children were wishing their fathers well being and LUCKY ENOUGH TO RETURN SAFELY.Fighing against Hezbollah in the Lebanon war..Just INNOCENT gesture..And you had the nerve to mention it?
Having caused the unnecessary deaths of many civilians, condemned by the world, one wonders where the chutzpah comes from.
Israel against the Hamas, that can never be a fair fight. Israel uses airplanes, chemicals and other heavy war materials. But even than the IDF had to stop fighting as there where killed to many civilians. The IDF destroyed roads, hospitals, houses and schools. So how can the IDF talks about an excellent operation?
Since when has a war been fair.. Lets put it this way Rob.. If the palestinans put down their weapons there would be peace. If Israel put down their weapons there would be no Israel. Simple as that!
By the scratching THEIR NECKS Went to look..But then WE ALL Have known ans saw it on every occasion if PROOF needed.
and how do you propose israel should have prevented hamas from becoming an organisation? Hamas was not formed in Israel - if Israel were to have prevented Hamas from becoming established it would've had to meddle with other countries affairs. surely that would've given you another reason to blame israel
that Israel now hail the 'war' just proves that Israel havent learned from the past and still pose a threat.
3 times!
Israel refused access to Goldstone and his team to investigate.and he retracted after endless pressure and threats against him by the pro Israel lobbies.
END OF A CONVOLUTED STORY THAT SOME PEOPLE REVERT TO DEMONIZE ISRAEL.
Hams is stronger than it ever was --they have not been wiped out as was the goal. This is just more hasbara from a nation on it,s way out.
this is a fine example of IDF spitting on the non-existent peace process.
Only now can one understand why he was only a default choice for Chief of Staff.
how can they spit on something that in your eyes doesn't exist
Israel had all the crossings closed, under the 2005 agreement with Egypt, (only possible to have such an agreement as an Occupying Power), thereby preventing civilians from fleeing a war zone, BEFORE attacking, which is illegal under Geneva Convention 1V…Section II..Occupied territories..Art49…"The Occupying Power shall not detain protected persons in an area particularly exposed to the dangers of war unless the security of the population or imperative military reasons so demand" .. Civilians could not even flee into the sea, because Israel controls Palestinian territorial waters. If Israel is not occupying Gaza, an Israeli invasion is war waged by a State against a non-self governing territory and other Regional and World Powers have the RIGHT to intervene, even as far as attacking military infrastructure and installations within Israel. ... The cause of the problem is the stupid notion of Greater Israel, which is a religious notion. This is and has been a religious war for 63 years now underpinned by the multi billion dollar illegal settlement enterprise infesting 50% of the territory allotted for the Arab State, NON of which has ever been legally annexed to Israel. The only thing protecting Israel is the Jewish lobby's strangle hold on the greed, corruption and fear inherent in US politics
L’ancien commandant de Police de la Région Sud, Ouri Bar-Lev, qui commanda les forces de Police lors du désengagement de Gaza en 2005 fait un aveu bienvenu quoique tardif : « Le désengagement n’a pas porté les fruits que nous étions en droit d’attendre au niveau sécuritaire, bien au contraire, il a aggravé la situation » ! Bar-Lev va même plus loin, en établissant un lien direct entre l’expulsion des juifs du Goush Katif et l’apparition du phénomène des « Jeunes des Collines ». Ces déclarations explosives faites au journal « Maariv » ne sont évidemment pas reprises ou mises en évidence par les autres médias qui se sont acharnés sur la population juive de Judée-Samarie ces dernières semaines...
everyone knows their m.o. - provoke israel, then use civilians as shields, then claim that somehow it is israel's responsibility when collateral damage ensues - well you didn't get a state for 60+ years and this kind of cowardice sure won't work in the next 60, or 600 for that matter, so better start negotiating in good faith
give the Hamas airplanes, chemical weapens and heavy war equipment as the IDF has and used durinig the last war. It is easy to bomb houses, roads and hospital from 10.000 metre above the Gaza.
occupation of Judea and Samaria.
When Joshua met with Christ - the commander of the armies of heaven on his way to lead the Israel army against the fortified city of Jericho, he mistook Him for an enemy and was decided in his next action in case it happened an enemy was at hand. God had instructed Joshua to be courageous to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. The question--- are you for us or against us -- to me is a memorial of his courage. After the Commander introduced Himself as at the time of Mosses at the burning bush, Joshua was given the revelation and bowed with his head to the ground in submission and worship---to me a memorial of God’s presence in our affairs. God’s presence in the army of Israel should always be respected and acknowledged and sought. Joshua regardless of His courage had to remember the words of God ---didn’t l command you, l will be with you always. Oh go before us oh Almighty LORD God of Israel and always open our eyes so that we may not sin or fall prey to pride in your absence.
The Israeli civilian should really be worried by this war mongering for ideological reasons and nothing else as it is now quite clear that Israel has instigated the previous war and is now threatening to do the same again. Hamas or whomever else could also use the same ideological arguments to indiscriminately kill your civilians and destroy your infrastructure. You cannot play by different rules and peace is always a better route. I just hope the Israeli public will tell you in no uncertain terms that this is purely and simply wrong for Israel, wrong for the Palestinian and wrong for the rest of the world.
This sounds like the perfect message to give the Syrian butcher, who massacres his civilians every hour. Please don't preach to Israel on how to protect her civilians from the evil that eminates from Gaza.
I know enough about jewish history to understand the security concern of Israel. Even after more than 60 years the state is not fully consolidated and is still confronting various radical organisations that want it destroyed. One can see the fight against Hamas as a legitime act of selfdefence against an terrorist opponent that on a regular basis launches rockets into the south of the country. Every governemt has the right to defend its citizens. But te core problem is of course the resistance to the occupation. In Europe I have seen the image of Israel deteriorate year after year. In discussions i always defend the right of israel to exist as a jewish state but the PR war has long been lost. The image of a boy trowing stones at an armoured vehicle is far too powerful. I see more and more opposition to the expansion of settlements on the Westbank. So, i say this with much love for Israel: remove the core problem from the ME imbroglio, stop the expansion of the settlements and withdraw from the westbank. The idea of a greater Israel is no longer feasible. The international community wont allow it. The continuation of the present policy will leave Israel with no friends, for even the US will eventually find the price to pay too high. Time is running out in a ME with nuclear foes. Leaving the Westbank will not answer all arab demands but Israel will regain the moral high ground. The occupation shall no longer be the political justification for terror acts and opposition against the state of Israel.
Oh I forgot - they were invited!!!
I wonder how Mr Gantz would feel if it was his own children dying slowly from hundreds of tiny pieces of carcinogenic tungsten driven into their bodies from Israeli "DIME" weapons
I wish the IDF will be so blaze about their attack plans for Lebanon or Iran for that matter..At least, when all else fails, the IDF can guarantee and revive their "invincible" image by bombing defenceless people in Gaza to restore their image.Real men go to Beirut and Tehran..Gaza is just for bullies.
700 of them civilians. Thats a war crime!
Not 1,400, but 1,200 and most of them terrorists. What is more despicable is that it could have been avoided. Israel warned them, the Muslim terrorists, for months, but they wouldn't stop firing rockets on Israel's civilians (while hidding behind their own = double war crime).
"Unknown Soldiers are we, without uniform And around us fear and the shadow of death We have all been drafted for life. Only death will discharge us from [our] ranks, """care to comment ---hypocrite.
that Israel use human shields.
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/9/docs/unffmgc_report.pdf Deliberate killing of civilians, destruction of civilian infra-structure, targeting hospitals etc. I am disgusted once again with the Israeli right wing who treats Palestinians like animals. Shame on you. And shame on everyone who does nothing watching this human tragedy. You would have prisoned him if someone did something this brutal to even an animal in your civilised country!
Yes test
Do Jews enjoy beingconstantly at war with the rest of the world> It seems so.
In case you haven't noticed as an Arab living in Britain, your adopted country went to war against various Muslim Arab bloody dictatorships like Egypt in 1956, Yemen, twice against Iraq and Libya. Also Britain is at war with a Muslim terrorist group like Hamas, the Taliban in Afghanistan. Israel, is the Jewish (the religion of Jesus), democratic (rights for all) and civilized (no civil war, hanging of gays, women stoning, “honour” killing of girls by their own fathers and brothers, etc) country in the region, didn't declare war on the Musllim Arab bloody dictatorships, medieval kingdoms or jihadi groups, but the other wary around.
The rest of the world dosent think so.
even if it is non existent, other wise American taxpayers money will dry up. And without American taxpayers money, Israel will not be able to fund the occupation and their desire for living space to the East
of course, they will test your mettle, per hamas charter. then once they test your mettle, and they get a good licking, all the arabists and their beloved terrorists will cry bloody murder. we are used to the drill.
AND HELL TO PAY TOWARD THE TERRORISTS WHO HAVE YET TO UNDERSTAND THEY WILL NEVER GET AWAY FREE TO ATTACK ISRAEL WITHOUT THE CONSEQUENCES.. THEY GOT THEIR COME-UPPANCE ONCE,WE CAN RESORT TO DO IT AGAIN..
The Mission asked the Government of Israel to provide information in relation to the blockade on the Gaza Strip. It requested information on the criteria applied to determine which good are or are not allowed to enter the Gaza Strip, the reasons for restricting or preventing cash and bank transfers, the reasons for imposing restrictions on the ability of Gazans to leave the Gaza Strip, including for urgent medical reasons, the reasons for the highly restrictive policy permit applied to international donors, humanitarian and human rights organizations wishing to enter the Gaza Strip, and the reasons and legal basis for establishing a limited fishing zone. No reply was received on any of these questions.
This is the best they can do offensively to fight back to Israel... How about trying to understand their motivation and try to fix that for a change... And, eventough I am not going to defend rockets fired at civilians, any decent human being would acknowledge the fact that what Israel is doing is disproportionate... I would characterize the situation to killing a 10 year old boy throwing stones at the police... With a machine gun...
10 year old should go to school and learn to read.
I was in the land at that time and I think that was a useless massacre against civilians, women and children. The international community has rightly considered a "war crime". Benedetto Piacentini
THEN THEY CAN TALK.OTHERWISE LET THEM SHUT UP..
wars are fought for many reasons. in the case of cast lead, the goal was to diminish hamas as much as possible and thereby restore deterrence. there will not be peace with hamas for a very long time. those who think otherwise are deluded.
Please explain how bombarding Gaza and killing 1500 people is the solution ? did that diminish Hamas ? no it did not. Diminishing Hamas means what ? strengthening Fatah and Abbas ? is that the case ? the answer is no. Israel wants to diminish any palestinian claiming for freedom and independance and who does not get its way. Brutality and military force are the ways Israel is using against the palestinians. Don't expect them to soften.
They are healthy and well..iof the phposphor was so dradfuf how come they ae in FINE FETTLE..BS To your comment
Cipora is right. If we can believe their Charter, Hamas will reject peace forever. And yes, Cast Lead did restore deterrence - to a degree. Yearly rocket attacks on Israeli civilians from Gaza grew continuously up to 2008, the year of Cast Lead. 2006: 1722 attacks, 2007: 1276, 2008: 2048. They dropped dramatically after Cast Lead. 2009: 569, 2010: 150, 2011: 173. Now Hamas increases (or allows to increase) the number of these attacks again. This is the context for the comments of the Israeli Chief of General Staff. In understand that Israeli civilians living in constant fear for their lives is no concern of you, but don't expect the same from the State of Israel.
Since 18 June 2008, rockets fired by Palestinian armed groups in Gaza have killed 3 civilians inside Israel and 2 civilians in Gaza when a rocket landed short of the border on 26 December 2008. Reportedly, over 1000 civilians inside Israel were physically injured as a result of rocket and mortar attacks, 918 of which were injured during the time of the Israeli military operations in Gaza.
And noone was forced to live in Sderot
WHEN CHLDREN HAVE A NANO SECOND TO RUN INTO THE SHELTERS BEFORE THEY GET KILLED.. THE HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIZED FOR OVER 6 YEARS .. AND CONTINUE SUFFERING FROM IT
That is the silliest thing that I've ever heard -- are you suggesting that even within Israel-proper, citizens of the country should populate regions acceptable to Palestinians? For an individual respecting Palestine's sovereign rights (pending), you certainly don't mind trampling on Israel's.
Yours is Your Problem: you've been siding with the ENEMY because of old MISTAKES: your own fault
is this a high profile question? We deal with hamas,iran, hezbollah, and all u worried about is, are woman allowed to sing? are orthodox soldiers allowed to leave the hall? Hm.. Really a major problem. How sad..
Or will civilians be allowed to escape? or will the IDF pursue escaping civilians? Clearly Gantz is not satisfied with the current casualty tolls in Gaza. Nor does it seem he thinks that Fatah gaining a foothold back in Gaza is positive. Will more Willie Pete be used? or Will napalm be used too? See if Gingrich wins Iowa.
So killing 350 children, dropping bombs on a military ceremony killing 200 young police officers, using phosphorous bombs against civil populations...was an 'excellent operation' ??? honestly.....only in Israel people believe this was a success. How is that a success ? did Hamas disapear ? no. Do palestinians feel differently about israeli occupation of their land ? no. Israel fights everything BUT the right thing : occupation. Good luck for the next decades Israel but please don't blame others for your crimes and mistakes.
Internal affairs ? occupation is Israel's problem. Israel is the occupier. This operation was purely electoral. Nothing to do with Hamas. Hamas is not the problem. It's a palestinian state that's the problem. How many times did Israel 'strike' Hamas or any palestinian ? did it help ? did occupation disapear ? did palestinians change their mind ? it did not change anything. Settlements are growing, Hamas is strenghthened and Abbas is seen as 'a danger for Israel'. What exactly does Israel want ? certainly not a palestinian State. Israel needs enemies so it does not have to face the truth.
Okay sorry Dave
Sure sounds like he's up for another round, but not nearly so careful of collateral damage in the next round. He has Gingrich saying that the Palestinians are not real, they're invented, implying they are not human and have no business living.
you want all to believe that a people that was invented, i.e., non-existent historically until recently, are "not human and have no business living." that claim is illogical and patently absurd. many people came into existence late in history, but they are obviously human. indeed, many borders have been changed, and with the border, the people who become another peopl.
they need real anti-aircraft/anti tank weapons or we're looking at a horrible genocide coming to gaza, they simply won't be able to defend them selves (palestinians).
How difficult can that be???
More incitement from Israel in the guise of pre-emptive self-defence, just days after Hamas announced that it was considering a shift in strategy to non-violent resistance. Israel is only kidding itself with claims of imminent defeat for its enemies. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are stronger today than they were after last time Israel announced it had defeated them.
THEY HAVE DIMINISHED GREATLY I CAN ASSURE YOU..Otherwise it would BE HE SAME AS BEFORE CAST LEAD.(And to Tzivi about the little children writing messages on the ROCKETS was innocently done WHILE THEIR FATHERS WERE FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIFE IN LEBANON.TO FREE ISRAEL FROM HEZBALLAH .Cynical of Tztvi . If I may it was NOT done in a malicious way either.
The IDF do not dare to put their bullet-proofed underwear of, when shooting on chlidren.
Why don't search for yourself ? while you're at it you can search for the occupation statistics (killings, emprisonments, house destructions) since 45 years. But you don't want to search do you ? having problems handling the truth ?
I could tell you much more of how we took considerations not to harm women and children. Will it help a brainwashed man? I doubt it!
About the "occupation statistics (killings, imprisonments," we don't hide any facts. What exactly bothers you? That we kill people who come to kill us? You have to live with it. "House destructions since 45 years.". We punish the family, right or wrong who´s sons come and kill us. That is the price! If you refer to Cast Lead, we destroyed a lot of houses in order not to risk our own lives. We informed the locals we were going in that area by sending down Leaflets from the air. We called them up to their mobiles. Now you finally answer me; 1. Would you accept 10.000 grenades around and in your town, previous to operation Cast Lead? 2. Do you accept that Hamas declared that their goal is to hunt us out from ALL of Israel?
My family lives in Jerusalem so i'm as concerned as yourself. We know what occupation means. Don't expect palestinians to change. Israel occupies their land. That very same occupation Israel cannot hide anymore. Don't talk about 'punishment' when your country deliberatly creates that situation on the ground. Don't use Hamas as an excuse. Before Hamas, the palestinians were treated exactly the same way. Don't use their Charter either. This is irrelevant. You know the palestinians 'cannot destroy Israel'. On the contrary Israel destroys the palestinians society. That, you don't want ot see. Occupation bothers me. Hundreds of palestinian villages have been erased from the map in 60 years. That bothers me. Occupation grows day after day. And Israel does not do anything to stop that. You still wonder what bothers me ? i think you and many other israelis are a million miles away from living a palestinian life. Nobody on earth would accept to be treated the way Israel treats the palestinians. Would you accept to be treated as a stranger or a potential terrorist on your land ? no you wouldn't. You do not want to face the consequences of your suicidal policy. Don't blame the palesitinians. Face reality, stop your arrogance and lecturing the palestinians for a start. Look at your yourself in the mirro and tell me what you see. Deal with the silliness of your own leaders who have decided to settle palestinian land. Nachon ?
Don't call me 'brainwashed man' my friend. You eat and breathe propaganda every minute. Get a doc !
Listen. I am not israeli. Your leaders are not my leaders and i'm not afraid at all. I consider myself as palestinian, so does my family and 10 million other palestinians on earth. I think Jerusalem should also be the capital of a future palesitinian state. Occupation is for me the key obstacle. As long as occupation lasts, there will be no peace or at least peace will not be achieved by prolonging occupation and growing settlements all over the place. Security is important, i admit. But security for the palesitinians is even more important as they don't even have weapons, nor tanks, nor an army to defend its territory. Israel's policy consist in gaining time in order to build more and more and grab more and more. Israelis should denounce that instead of lecturing the whole world and especailly the palestinians. They have no clue what's going on 30km away from Tel Aviv. As long as their daily existence is not troubled, they do not give a damn about the palestinians and their claim. They have issues with cheese, wages and the cost of life, hundreds of thousands go down in the streets to demonstrate but when it comes to palestinians and occupation, they are only a hundred considered as treators to the nation. Your problem is that occupation and nothing but that occupation and there are people in Israel and the US who take advantage of that situation living their dream of a Greater Israel. Hamas is not the problem. Hamas did not exist 20 years ago and still Israel had issues with occupation and palestinians demonstrating in the streets. Now that some silly leaders in Israel decided to sacralize this conflict, they found people at the other end who are ready to fight, no matter what. Even Abbas is considered as a danger for Israel. Do you think Lieberman and Abbas are equal ? one is an extremist who's the foreign minister of israel and the other one a terrorist ??? Israel needs some serious moral examination before it's too late. That's my advise. Many israelis have understood that but are they a majority ? doubtfull. Israel has the keys for peace, not the palestinians who are ready to establish a State on only 22% of the territory. That's a major move considering the fact that they used to live on ALL the land. My family lost the house in Katamon. Do you know that area of Jerusalem ? now the place is emptied of arabs....something to think about.
is that it remains a racist military oppressor of occupied peoples, a nation that openly violates international law by stealing their land and homes, bombing their civilians, imprisoning 'suspects' aka opponents without trial, passing racist laws. The world knows well that Israel deliberately provokes Gaza by killing 'suspects' and thereby breaking the ceasefire, as it did before Cast Lead and is doing now, so that it has an excuse to attack Gaza and show the voting public how firm and resolute the weasels who lead Israel are. Racism, colonialism, theft, law-breaking, war crimes seem to so easily slide off your list of what Israel does best. How about adding to your Israeli holiday brochure religious extremism, nationalist xenophobia, gross Jewish triumphalism, overwhelming hubris and the world's most assidiously fabricated propaganda, just for starters?
why don't you go live in Syria and see if u get better treatment and more opportunity?
So ??
excellent post.
They promised their own people Stalingrad. Then in the aftermath compalined to the UN and Goldstone (who retracted much of his report).
A very nice way to divert attention as to whats really happening with Israel. Vote RON PAUL .
The mission did not achieve a few important objectives and was too limited in scale. First the IDF should have routed Hamas leaders in Gaza by sending commandos to capture the Hamas terrorist leaders hiding in the bunker of the hospital which were using patients as human shields. Second, the IDF failed to rescue Gilad Shalit, three the IDF left Gaza under the control of Hamas, and IDF did not complete it's mission by sending the IDF deeper into Gaza city. Most soldiers felt the operation was cut short. The IDF did an amazing job at protecting Gazan civilians from Hamas terrorist who did their best to inflict casualties on Gazans. This was the biggest success of the war. The humane way the IDF acted was historic.
The Goldstone Report found no evidence that Hamas was using an alleged hospital bunker. Also, your claim that the IDF protected Gazans from Hamas is ludicrous.
In 2006 the Hezbollah with only 5 a 6000 fighters knew how to fight with the Israeli invaders! The Gazan civillians are NO MATCH for Israel because have no weapons, only stones.
hezbollah was armed to the teeth with missiles, mortors, rpg's. they kept firing their missiles into israel until the very last day of the war. hamas was similarly armed and acted similarly to hezbollah. to say that hamas had only stones is an absurd lie. they started the war by firing some 10,000 missiles into israel over a number of years.
That's not the story I heard. I heard it was 5 Hezbollah fighter and that there were no stones in Gaza. Hamas fought bare handed but were overcome by fighter jets. all this rubbish about Israel winning is a myth, the war continues, but next time Hamas will have Pitta bread and Humous with which to defend themselves. Can I order my brown shirt now Arie?
What you talking about 10,000 missiles on stolen land by Israel? It are homemade firecrackers and the only dead people hit by those toys are 3 old people dying from a fatal heartattack!
ask the residents in the south that you claim to care about. And bombing a population that couldn't flee the war zone!...nothing to be proud of General. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to give Hamas a license to operate back in the 80s, but splitting the Palestinians was such a great short term goal. You reap what you sow.
Do you want to see the stock piles of palestinian bodies that IDF killed since decades ? stop moaning. Your country is responsible for this situation.
Sorry to disappoint Dov but I lived in the south and shopped at Sderot, I watched Cast lead with dismay. 300 dead children does not make the Gazans love us, and Im still in Israel and Tseva adom is still happening. It ain't better its just calmer for now, wake up and move. If you have kids it's a responsibility. THAT MATTERS TO ME.
Enough is enough ? you're joking right ? the palestinians have a million more reasons to say 'enough is enough'. But obiously you have no clue from your little overprotected dungeon.
As I have posted before, Hamas is not a peace partner with their current agenda and I would like to have seen them removed but not at the expense of huge civilian casualties.
The goal is not to kill PalArabs in Gaza but to make Gaza pay a high price for every rocket Hamas fires. Take down Gaza's infrastructure and make the citizens miserable but not dead. Hamas will never give up its goal to destroy Israel. Peace is not an objective. Making life miserable but not deadly for the PalArabs living in Gaza MIGHT eventually convince the citizens that supporting Hamas is not the way. I don't give that high or low probability but it is worth a try.
Who are you to decide what palestinians want ? so Israel destroys their lives BUT does not kill them ? let me remiond you that thousands of palestinians have been killed by Israel during and before Cast Lead. Israel is teaching the palestinians a lesson ? shall we talk about israelis who vote and support extreme right parties or even Likoud who does not even recognize any palestinian state ? has Israel been punished ? should israelis pay for their choice ? should israelis pay for occupation ? do you think Meir, Shamir, Begin, Sharon, Bibi, Uzi Landau or Lieberman are examples ? who support them if not israelis ? should their lives be miserable because of their support ? Israel imposes a logic of force and brutality on palestinians. Don't expect the palestinians to soften. Israel's policy is the best way to radicalize even more the populations. Didn't Israel know ? don't tell me this is not done on purpose in order to create constant choas, anger and frustration amongts the palestinians so Israel can always justify this is 'self defense'. This is disgusting.
If you are so interested, you could learn more about the entire complicated conflict. People who see this as clear cut, black and white, good vs. bad, are showing their ignorance of the complexity, and arrogance in thinking that they somehow know the problem better than the millions of people who have spent entire lifetimes trying to solve this same problem. You need to understand that if you don't find the conflict extremely complex, you are missing something. You're not doing anybody any favors or helping to solve any of the many problems by joining in with such a simplistic viewpoint.
From the time of the Romans to the resistance of the French against the occupation of France by the Germans the people will always fight the occupier no matter how strong the opposition, and how futile the fight. This is the human spirit, and no army, no matter how strong it is can defeat that.
There are no Israelis in Gaza. Israel has no aspirations other than to stop the provocation. Gaza is not resisting. It is attacking and provoking and Israel is attempting to stop its attacks. Hamas has made it totally clear. Its goal is to drive Israelis into the sea and occupy the land from the sea to the river. Is that justice? Consequently it would be entirely reasonable for Israel to drive the Gazan PalArabs out and take Gaza down brick by brick. Then the world would scream because they are anti Semites like you and do not want to see as you do not want to see.
They at least don't pretend.
You are so right. Thousands of years ago the people now know as Israelis invaded and occupied what is now known as Israel and Palistine which was home to Arabs, and today the occupied are still trying to push them out.
i do not remember any time when blood was worth much of anything. wwii so the loss of about seventy million people.
Since then, much fewer rockets have been shot onto Israeli cities. But diplomatically and in terms of the media, Israel hasn't learned from the resounding perception defeat by globalized anti-Israel bias and thinly disguised, politically correct anti-Israel vitriol.
Absolutely true and to the point, as usual. And sometimes Israel does not lear where it should. But sometimes learning does not matter. Globalized anti-Israel bias and thinly disguised, politically correct anti-Israel (and anti-Semitic cleverly disguised as above) vitriol will blow from many cracks regardless. Should Israel absolve maliious mental and/or physical blows, keep quiet or non-responsive mindful of political correctness, be criticized where ever anyone wants to find an excuse (one will always find one if strongly desired), and wind up in the same "uneducated" status, and in addition also damaged or humiliated.
1500 people were killed among them 400 children and women. Not to mention bombing of a police ceremony where 200 young graduated palestinian policemen were killed...and you still pretend 'Cast lead was excellent' ?? this is sick. You only care about Israel's image ? do you think occupation is good for Israel's image ? don't you think the best way to improve Israel's image would be ending occupation and recognizing a palestinian state ?
Instead of crying, go in the streets of Gaza and tell Hamas to stop attacking Israeli civilian women and children
Nothing says courage quite like flying F16 fighter jets over a starving population and dropping half-ton bombs on sleeping families.
for many it is today clear that cast lead was much more harmful to Israel than to Hamas. Hamas is still in power while Israel got more isolated and actually had to relax the embargo in order to placate international opinion. Besides relations with Turkey got screwed up. Gantz must know all that but for corporatist reasons he must say cast lead was great.
Good idea "Ramzi"
90% of the deaths on israeli hands would have been heavily presecuted if they had occured to anyone else in the world. make sure you stay in seattle and manipulate ignorant people online.
Hamas is a grass roots resistance which was born as a result of Israeli oppression. Even if every single Hamas member is lined up and killed, the oppression that gave rise to Hamas would still exist. Another Hamas would rise. After all, there is lieelt enough future for more than a million Gaza residents and Israel has given them every reason to hate Israel. Israelis shouls shy away from the concept of "body count" leading to victory. The American government was obsessed with achieving a high body count in Vietnam but they still managed to lose that war in detail.
There's no need to project them onto Hamas.
Gaza is not Viet Nam. Viet Nam is some 13,000 km away from America, Gaza is considerabley closer. Hamas need not be defeated, you're probably right, it would be very hard to do so. But they can be persuaded that certain actions will cause them a disproportionate amount of grief that they would be better off tweaking their philosophy a bit and recognizing certain realities. Then maybe we could all save some blood and treasure.
this excuse for a human being comes out with a statement guaranteed to drive the knife in and twist it as far as possible- these IDF commanders have honed and polished their sadistic skills to perfection.
Disproportionate force for disproportionate hate.
The 'war' in Gaza was not even a war much less a great military success. It was simply the mass murder of unarmed civilians which disgusted the entire civilised world. How arrogant that the untrained, undisciplined rabble you laughingly call an army would declare this atrocity a success. In the community of fighting men the world over, the IDF is regarded as a joke, and it's easy to see why.
In their short history the Israeli military has accomplished some of the unlikeliest victories, when fighting against some pretty desperate odds. And they did it because of their determination, ingenuity and the knowledge that if they lost, the civilian population, their families and friends, would've been massacred. A history to be proud of. But in recent decades it has turned into a force of imperialist expansion and occupation, one to be ashamed of. The legacy of the heroes of the past is being sullied by the actions of today's Israeli military.
civilians happened-civilians die in all wars. Israel does not target civilians-that's an Arab specialty. The IDF is universally regarded by fighting men the world over as among the best.
The civilain to military casualties of operation Cast Lead were about 1:1. That is the best ratio EVER for a modern military operation. Civilian casualties are generally considered low by international standards if the civilian:military death rate is 4:1
when they fight iran WITHOUT americans.
The IDF is not well regarded.
Look at all these israeli haters at an Israeli paper. With their old lies on casualties in Gaza. Go speak up about Syria.
... is that an "achievement"?
These are the hate mongrels. Cast Lead killed civilians and we all know why and how. Hamas chose a particular strategy to be amongst the dense population in Gaza. Whatever - the job was to get Hamas and we did. If it neds to happen again Israel will make the right decision again.
Israel does to others? Clean you're house before sweeping someone elses!Every time someone makes a comment on the agressive behavior of the warmungering Jews. They jump to talk about someone in another country. But held up side by side with the others. Israel always comes out looking worse.
Just like the lead-in to the previous Gaza operation by the IDF
When will terrorist stop firing rockets to innocent Israeli civilians...?
When the occupation and land/resource/dignity theft end.
Egypt has enough problems already. There is cash for a few months. The USSR doesn't exist anymore. The most important friends are from the US and Europe. Please, be a realist and if possible, a friend.
You have a very sick mentality. If you call collective targeting and killing of innocent civilians an excellent operation then you are proving to the world that you have absolutely no conscience. I don't know how you people sleep at night.
Baloney, where have you been living all these years...?. Which innocents are these when candies are passed when Twin Towers come down...?
How do you know they are innocent? are you just being emotional or logical. I see it as this way.. if women and children are firing rockets into Israel then I have the authority to wipe them out. If that's the only way you'll understand so be it .,. bo bozo. Hey you have any opnions on assad and syria and his killing ... of course no!
Cast Lead was a disaster for Israel. An attempt at Cast Lead 2 in the context of the Arab Spring, the possible reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah and the growing internationalisation of the Palestinian cause would be one of the most stupid things Israel could do; only attacking Iran could be more stupid. Is this man the best that Israel can offer as IDF Chief of Staff? Not the sharpest spade in the shed.
And Jews danced on the rooftops a few blocks away from the Towers?
The IDF goes into Gaza to kill civilians. The IAF is used to attack militants without requiring an invasion.
tzahal does not want to kill civilians. the proof is that if tzahal wanted to kill civilians, there would tens of thousands dead civilians. the iaf could carpet bomb gaza. however, israel is not in the business of killing civilians. if hamas were to stop firing missiles into israel, there would be no dead civilians.
targeted Hamas officials seeking an ineffectual retaliatory response to justify further strikes.
Convict bloodline.
Hey, you are welcome to join the goyim volunteer corps in IDF, if you don't want to stfu.
You keep 1 1/2 million people behind the fences of the Gaza ghetto. IDF is armed up to the teeth with most modern weaponry which it tries out on a defenseless pupolation.And wasn't the timing of the operation to coincide with elections at that time. Barak needed some votes or is this really such a ridiculous suggestion? It is really appalling reading that the IDF chief is convinced that Operation Cast Lead was excellent. People's mind becomes brutalised.This must be the Israeli language of peace also heard by other Israeli poltiicans. They are all eager to get peace, but have completely lost its meaning.
In fact they are kept outside the fence.
More hamas propoganda
We should learn from history. But we have learnt NOTHING!!!!
So lets get this .... Israel wants war, is it that badly in your blood. Peace israel spits at. Tells the euros, un, usa go f urself . We do what we want lets take more land so we never have peace and lets start a war in gaza where both sides will pay in blood in which would not change the status quo. How long israel will keep pushing the worlds buttons, I wouldn't be throwing stones when my house is made out of glass. Believe me here in the us your image is getting worse and if u think we will save u when u decide to go over your head. In the usa we need to stick with our own problems . Not taking care of of ur mess.
The gaza land belongs to Israel, but the people living there are egyptians. Israel should liberate the land, the people are unliberateble
Gaza, just like the West Bank, does not belong to Israel, and no amount of bile from the racist and terrorist Lieberman and the treasonous AIPAC will change that.
Israels next war in Gaza must be swift, painful, and lethal! It must be a war to liberate the Gazans from organized criminal occupation of Hamas. Israel must liberate Gaza from Hamas by fully terminating Hamas, or just stay home. No more half wars that leave the snake alive. Liberate the Gazans and help build a viable Gazan society where the wealth is not horded by a few blood thirsty racketeers.
The Israeli attack on Gaza was the best PR that Gazans could wish for. Almost every kid in the UK now owns a keffiyeh.
Joe, Besides owning the keffiyeh, do these UK kids also train to blow themselves up in buses...?
stop making stuff up.
Of course every kid in the UK owns a Keffiyeh, you are being overrun by extreme Islam. In a few generations you will be fighting to not be ruled by Sharia law.
War criminals on the loose once again. They need to drink blood year after year.
such a simple minded assessment of a much more complex situation...you've left out HAMAS completely in your analysis. are you afraid to address the reality that is the totalitarian theocratic govt of gaza? will that hurt your extremely SIMPLE argument?
This time it should be done with their pants pulled down though so even the balm of Gilead won't bring much relief to them.
Aristedes, Give it a try and i will buy you a candy...
the americans created a monster called israel and now even they can not stop this evil. israel drags the usa from one war to another.
And still the rockets never stopped. These war criminals are no better than the very same terrorists they claim to be fighting!
It is the fault of these "civilians", next time tell them not to mix with terrorists, otherwise the IDF jets will have hard time differentiating "civilians" and terrorists.
It is the fault of these "civilians", next time tell them not to mix with terrorists, otherwise the IDF jets will have hard time differentiating "civilians" and terrorists.
and when they have been fired it's been from salafist groups and not hamas. im sure we'd agree on a lot about israel, and the civilian casualties are still a crime...but please be objective and don't create your own false reality to base your opinions on.
3 years later and I'm still wondering if Hamas fought Israel or Gazans.They used them as human shields,fought in civilians clothes and operated in populated areas.It looks like Hamas et al were more interested in inflicting high civilian casualties than fight IDF.Is this Hamas way how to defend own people????
The slogan is actually in the Quran and it says: The paradise is under the mothers feet.
What kind of criminal can get away with this, so he is guaranteeing a war no matter what happens, even though palestinians didn't provocate these attacks recently. Wow this will give israel a terrible name. They will murder people just to show everyone they are still there and to warn other countries they plan on attacking. This is mental
On a regular basis rockets fall on southern Israel launched from Gaza. You dont see this as a provocation? Be real.
Israel is preparing tto fight on three fronts. All of the pieces are falling into place.
But do not wipe hamas completely out. Hamas is of strtegic importance to Israel. Withoout hamas's rejectionism Israel would fall into the tricks of PA/PLO who pretend to be negotiating peace when in true sense, they are on the same note with Hamas. Keep them divided that way so as the settlers can have a roof over them.
WHAT?
The entire international community saw Cast Lead as an act of barbarity the savagery of which is seldom seen in the modern era. Over 350 Gazan children perished. White phosphorous bombs were dropped on women and children. Once the ICC has had its review Israeli war criminals will be taking up permanent residence at The Hague. And that I guarantee will be swift and very painful.
Thank you Rachel!
Yes War is vile, that is why it would be wise of Hamas to stop shooting rockets into Israel. Rachel good luck with your lawsuit at the Hauge, you can also file charges against the United States and there allies
The protective tunnels that Hamas dug and hid in after instigating their acts of war against Israel had "No Civilians Allowed" signs around them as that convenient cover at ground level of women's skirts and children's diapers helps Hamas to "win" their wars against Israel and convince charlatan supporters like you of only Hamas' rights in the conflict and Israel's wrongs. Any stronger adjectives for what Syria is doing to their protesters over there?
Do Israelis ever post here, or is it just people who don't know how to spell Al Jazeera?
52 47 IDF chief: Gaza war against Hamas was an --- The entire international community saw Cast Lead as an act of barbarity the savagery of which is seldom seen in the modern era. Over 350 Gazan children perished. White phosphorous Rachel--how many of these "child" casualties were ofmid-teen-agers connedby a cynical leadership into putting their lives at risk?
Yet she dares call the act of self defense barbaric. Mind boggling.
It was self-defense, but it was barbaric as well. Being self-defending yourself does not give the right to be barbaric. Nothing, never, justifies everything !!
We all live in a glass house...don't throw a rock...you may get a bigger one thrown back. War also kills kids...so stop it...Hamas.
Why 1400 say 14000 it sounds better
Really? Not even hamas gave that number. Why did you give it? Also the why is directed to the people that gave a thumbs up
The Death count for Cast lead was 1,400 and of those 700 were Hamas fighters. Hamas stated this a few months back but you obviously missed it. It was also found that Human shields WERE used by Hamas and rocket fire took place from within civilian areas. Where I can't forgive the Israeli Government is that it was a window of opportunity for elections, that and the use of Phosphorus bombs...unforgivable. Next time get your facts straight, this street is two way and both sides are guilty of sacrificing their own people for Political gain, although only one side threw it's opposition from the rooftops. That was Hamas and they haven't changed one iota since then.
The death toll was1400, 300 of which were Hamas fighters the rest were civilians of which 500 were children aged from 5 months to 18 years. It was actually IDF soldiers who were accused in the Goldstone report of using children as human sheilds when they made a 9 year old boy open bags they thought might be booby trapped
look it up. I remember the figures because they were spoken by Hamas themselves, contrary to the spin that was constructed for World consumption. 700 ...repeat 700 and yes Goldstone did mention the 9 year old boy. I'm making no attempt to revise what was said, but I just hate reading lies, and you seem to have bought into it.
You're figures are wrong. Google "Hamas admits 700 of it's fighters were killed and you'll find loads of sources, but I'm not surprised you didn't know, since this occurred after the fact and by that time the lie was cemented, As for the nine year old boy, that was supported by Goldstone and I would never claim Israel was guiltless.
Arab racists start a war, Israel defends itself and kills the enemy who hides behind children , women and in hospitals. Arabs are responsible for the deaths , what don't you understand with you limited IQ???
Arab racists start a war, Israel defends itself and kills the enemy who hides behind children , women and in hospitals. Arabs are responsible for the deaths , what don't you understand with you limited IQ???