What Is "A Real Cease-Fire" to Israel???

January 02, 2009

A Real Cease-Fire Needed in Gaza

By Charles Krauthammer

Late Saturday, thousands of Gazans received Arabic-language cell-phone messages from the Israeli military, urging them to leave homes where militants might have stashed weapons.-- Associated Press, Dec. 27WASHINGTON -- Some geopolitical conflicts are morally complicated. The Israel-Gaza war is not. It possesses a moral clarity not only rare but excruciating.

Israel is so scrupulous about civilian life that, risking the element of surprise, it contacts enemy noncombatants in advance to warn them of approaching danger. Hamas, which started this conflict with unrelenting rocket and mortar attacks on unarmed Israelis -- 6,464 launched from Gaza in the last three years -- deliberately places its weapons in and near the homes of its own people.

This has two purposes. First, counting on the moral scrupulousness of Israel, Hamas figures civilian proximity might help protect at least part of its arsenal. Second, knowing that Israelis have new precision weapons that may allow them to attack nonetheless, Hamas hopes that inevitable collateral damage -- or, if it is really fortunate, an errant Israeli bomb -- will kill large numbers of its own people for which, of course, the world will blame Israel.

For Hamas the only thing more prized than dead Jews are dead Palestinians. The religion of Jew-murder and self-martyrdom is ubiquitous. And deeply perverse, such as the Hamas TV children's program in which an adorable live-action Palestinian Mickey Mouse is beaten to death by an Israeli (then replaced by his more militant cousin, Nahoul the Bee, who vows to continue on Mickey's path to martyrdom).

At war today in Gaza, one combatant is committed to causing the most civilian pain and suffering on both sides. The other combatant is committed to saving as many lives as possible -- also on both sides. It's a recurring theme. Israel gave similar warnings to Southern Lebanese villagers before attacking Hezbollah in the Lebanon war of 2006. The Israelis did this knowing it would lose for them the element of surprise and cost the lives of their own soldiers.

That is the asymmetry of means between Hamas and Israel. But there is equal clarity regarding the asymmetry of ends. Israel has but a single objective in Gaza -- peace: the calm, open, normal relations it offered Gaza when it withdrew in 2005. Doing something never done by the Turkish, British, Egyptian and Jordanian rulers of Palestine, the Israelis gave the Palestinians their first sovereign territory ever in Gaza.

What ensued? This is not ancient history. Did the Palestinians begin building the state that is supposedly their great national aim? No. No roads, no industry, no courts, no civil society at all. The flourishing greenhouses that Israel left behind for the Palestinians were destroyed and abandoned. Instead, Gaza's Iranian-sponsored rulers have devoted all their resources to turning it into a terror base -- importing weapons, training terrorists, building tunnels with which to kidnap Israelis on the other side. And of course firing rockets unceasingly.

The grievance? It cannot be occupation, military control or settlers. They were all removed in September 2005. There's only one grievance and Hamas is open about it. Israel's very existence.

Nor does Hamas conceal its strategy. Provoke conflict. Wait for the inevitable civilian casualties. Bring down the world's opprobrium on Israel. Force it into an untenable cease-fire -- exactly as happened in Lebanon. Then, as in Lebanon, rearm, rebuild and mobilize for the next round. Perpetual war. Since its raison d'etre is the eradication of Israel, there are only two possible outcomes: the defeat of Hamas or the extinction of Israel.

Israel's only response is to try to do what it failed to do after the Gaza withdrawal. The unpardonable strategic error of its architect, Ariel Sharon, was not the withdrawal itself but the failure to immediately establish a deterrence regime under which no violence would be tolerated after the removal of any and all Israeli presence -- the ostensible justification for previous Palestinian attacks. Instead, Israel allowed unceasing rocket fire, implicitly acquiescing to a state of active war and indiscriminate terror.

Hamas' rejection of an extension of its often-violated six-month cease-fire (during which the rockets never stopped, just were less frequent) gave Israel a rare opportunity to establish the norm it should have insisted upon three years ago: no rockets, no mortar fire, no kidnapping, no acts of war. As the U.S. government has officially stated: a sustainable and enduring cease-fire.

If this fighting ends with anything less than that, Israel will have lost again. It can ill afford to lose any more wars.

letters@charleskrauthammer.com

*** THE REALITY - AGGRESSION AGAINST ISRAEL ***

Blogmaster: The information below shows what we are dealing with on a daily basis in Israel. This information can be seen on the following web site and should be visited regularly for updates on our military situation: http://www.weaponsurvey.com/

WEAPONS SURVEY

PALESTINIAN WEAPONS PRODUCTION AND SMUGGLING

December 24-25, 2008:

Rockets Impact in Ashkelon

- All Israeli towns within a 30-kilometer radius of the Gaza Strip are linked to a rocket early warning system.

- Among the newly-connected towns and cities are Ofakim and Netivot. - Ashdod, with its center just outside the 30-kilometer mark, is expected to be connected to the system within the next 24 hours.

- Hamas legislator Mushir al-Masri: "Hamas will hit not only Sderot, but also what lies beyond Sderot."

-Iz al-Din al-Qassam: "Thousands of additional Israelis will soon be within the range of our rockets if Israel continues with its aggression." The residents of the south will stay in the bomb shelters for a long time...threats of an [Israeli] military offensive don't scare us because we are more prepared than ever."

- The defense establishment prepares for a military op against Hamas targets in Gaza.

- An IAF strike kills a Hamas terrorist in the southern Gaza Strip.

- Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip fire a barrage of projectiles at the western Negev.

- At least 100 projectiles are launched at southern Israel. One of them damages a house in Kibbutz Sha'ar Hanegev.

- A number of rockets hit Netivot.

- Two Grad-type missiles impact in Ashkelon.

- The defense establishment has ordered Gaza border crossings to remain closed in response to the attacks.

(Amos Harel, Barak Ravid and Avi Issacharoff, "Rocket Barrage Pounds Negev, Burdening Efforts to Renew Truce with Gaza," Ha'aretz, December 24, 2008; Avi Issacharoff and Barak Ravid, "Cabinet Approves Gaza Op After 80 Missiles Hit Israel," Ha'aretz, December 25, 2008).
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December 22, 2008:

IDF Criticizes Current Reality

IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen Gabi Ashkenazi tells Army Radio that the current reality is unacceptable.

"It's impossible to accept a reality where Gaza-belt residents are getting wounded. Hamas is responsible for this, and we will deal with them. The IDF is prepared for every possible operation that could be required in the Gaza Strip. I present the different options to the political echelons, and we'll do what we're ordered to do.

Hamas is always trying to improve the range and quality of its missiles. [Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Yuval Diskin's comments on Sunday] didn't tell us anything we didn't already know. We're regularly keeping track of the type and quality of Hamas's weapons."

Diskin had told the cabinet that terror group now fielded weapons with the ability to reach "Kiryat Gat, Ashdod and the outskirts of Beersheba." ("Ashkenazi: Current Reality Unacceptable," Jerusalem Post, December 22, 2008).

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December 20, 2008:

Southern Israel Under Fire

- Palestinian terrorists in northern Gaza fire four rockets at Sderot. - One rocket impacts near a local factory, while another projectile lands in close proximity to a kibbutz in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council. - At least 14 Qassams and 26 mortars are fired at the western Negev region. - A barrage of mortar shells and one rocket strikes a kibbutz in the Shaar HaNegev Regional Council, damaging a youth center. - An additional 12 mortar shells are fired in close proximity to the Gaza Strip perimeter fence near the Eshkol Regional Council. (Ilana Curiel, "Four Qassams Fired Towards Sderot; No Injuries," YnetNews, December 20, 2008).

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December 19, 2008:

Western Negev Shelled

- Hamas officials in Gaza and Beirut announce that the so-called "truce" has lapsed. - Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip fire three Qassam rockets at the western Negev. - Two of the rockets impact in open fields in the Eshkol region, while the third slams into the Sha'ar Hanegev area. - Palestinian terrorists in Gaza fire at farmers near Kibbutz Nir Oz, in the Eshkol region. - Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for the attacks. (Yaakov Katz and Khaled Abu Toameh, "3 Kassams Hit South, Gunmen Fire at Farmers as Truce Ends," Jerusalem Post, December 19, 2008).
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December 18, 2008:

IDF Targets Pal Artillery Cells

-"In response to the continuous rocket fire from the Gaza Strip upon Israeli territory, IDF forces carried out four aerial strikes against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip during the past 24 hours. The first strike, Wednesday (Dec. 17) morning, targeted a loaded rocket launcher in northern Gaza. The second target, that afternoon, was a Qassam rocket launching squad also in northern Gaza. This squad was prepped to launch a Qassam rocket at Israel. Wednesday night, IAF fighter jets and helicopters struck two terrorist infrastructure sites in the Gaza Strip. The first site was an arsenal in Jebalya RC in northern Gaza. The second site was a rocket and explosives production facility in the city of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. The targets were successfully struck and the aircraft returned to their bases unharmed." ("IAF Strikes Four Terrorist Sites in the Gaza Strip," IDF Spokesperson's Office, December 18, 2008).
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December 17, 2008:

Russia: MIG's to Lebanon

Russia has reportedly agreed to supply Lebanon with 10 MiG-29 fighter jets. According to Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr, the fighter deliveries will provide a fresh impetus for military cooperation between the two countries. The planes will apparently be sold at a "hefty discount." (Yoav Stern, "Russia to Supply Lebanon with 10 MiG-29 Fighter Jets," Ha'aretz, December 17, 2008; ).

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December 16, 2008:

Iran Claims UAV Development

-Iran claims that it has manufactured a new generation of "spy drones" capable of providing almost real time access to aerial intelligence. Head of the Aerospace Faculty at Iran's Amir Kabir University of Technology Mahmoud Mani: "Iran's domestically-manufactured micro unmanned aerial vehicle would be used in research projects." Meanwhile, a senior Iranian military officer notes that the government is expected to upgrade its missile production division in an effort to boost the country's defense capabilities. Head of the Aerospace Organization in the Defense Ministry, Brigadier General Mehdi Farahi: "The reforms are intended to promote efficiency and help fulfill the requirements of the country's Armed Forces." ("Iran Succeeds in Building Micro Drones (UAV's)," FarsNews, December 16, 2008; "Iran Succeeds in Building Micro Drones UAV's," FarsNews, December 16, 2008).
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December 16, 2008:

Islamic Jihad Commander Killed

IDF forces kill senior Islamic Jihad commander Jihad Nwada in Jenin. Nwada, who attempted to escape, was killed during an exchange of fire. According to security forces, Nwada belonged to a cell that planning to execute a terror attack in the near future. ("IDF Kills Senior Islamic Jihad Terrorist in Jenin Arrest Op," Jerusalem Post, December 16, 2008).

Everyone Deserves to Live in Peace

Palestinian Mamzers Fire on Elderly Coupel

Qassam hits elderly couple's home

Islamic Jihad cell fires two rockets at western Negev; no one wounded but two houses and a factory damaged. Regional council head says 'scandalous' government has not yet started program to shield homes
Tova Dadon

Palestinians in Gaza fired two Qassam rockets into the western Negev late Friday, one of which hit the home of an elderly couple.

A third rocket was fired Saturday afternoon and landed in an open area near Sderot. No casualties or damages were reported.

Late Friday the first rocket slammed through the roof of a house where an elderly couple lived, then ricocheted into the yard of the neighboring home, where it exploded. No one was wounded, but the rocket caused severe damage to both houses.

A second rocket landed on the premises of the Kal-Katif factory and damaged a storage container. The al-Quds Martyrs' Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for the attacks. Yoav Peled, security officer for the Shaar Hanegev regional council, told Ynet it was a miracle no one was hurt. "The Qassam accelerated when it hit the concrete roof of the elderly couple's home. They were awake when it hit and luckily weren't hurt. Due to the acceleration, the rocket continued on into the neighbors' yard, where it exploded and shattered all the house's windows," Peled said. The couple spent the night at a guest house on the kibbutz where they live, due to the severe damage to their house. They did not need any medical treatment and did not suffer shock.

Alon Schuster, head of the Shaar Hanegev regional council, said, "The Islamic Jihad launched the rocket to tell the prime minister (Ehud Olmert) that time and statistics weren't in his favor. Instead of telling Gaza perimeter residents that there's no such thing as 100 percent security, Olmert should do what he personally promised me and the other council heads – and shield the houses right away."

"It's scandalous. The program has been dragging for six months, and now we hear that it may even be cancelled. I demand of the new defense minister (Ehud Barak) that he join our demands and bring up the matter this Sunday at the cabinet meeting. There are people here whose lives need to be protected," he declared.

IDF - Six Soldiers Combat Wounded in W. Bank

yaakov katz and jpost.com staff, THE JERUSALEM POST Jun. 27, 2007

6 troops wounded by bomb in W. Bank

Two IDF officers and four soldiers were wounded during operations in the West Bank overnight Wednesday.

One officer and two soldiers were moderately wounded when a bomb was thrown at the troops operating near Nablus. Two other soldiers were lightly wounded in the incident. A second officer was wounded in a separate IDF operation in the West Bank.

All of the wounded were evacuated to Tel Hashomer hospital for treatment.

Earlier on Wednesday, at least 12 Palestinians were killed and another 40 wounded as IDF infantry and armored units swept into the northern and southern Gaza Strip to rout out Palestinian gunmen.

Overnight Tuesday, troops from the Givati Brigade, backed by tanks and attack helicopters, entered the southern Gaza Strip near the Sufa Crossing and began searching homes on the outskirts of Khan Yunis for terror suspects. Simultaneously, ground forces swept into an area near the Karni Crossing and began searching for tunnels and explosive devices.

Clashes erupted immediately and, in what sources in the Southern Command said was "fierce resistance," the Palestinians, some affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad, fired anti-tank missiles at the incoming troops.

Two IDF soldiers were lightly wounded during the operation near Karni when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an anti-tank missile.

"The troops only went two kilometers deep into Gaza," a source in the Southern Command said. "And, as can be seen from the resistance, the terrorists were heavily deployed near the border, waiting to attack."

In a report strongly denied by the IDF, the Palestinians claimed that an IAF aircraft bombed a car and killed Ra'ad Fanuna, a high-ranking Islamic Jihad operative implicated in manufacturing Kassam rockets and firing them at the western Negev.

The IDF said that it was not behind the attack. The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) refused to comment.

Islamic Jihad vowed revenge for the death of Fanuna, who had been wanted by Israel.

Palestinians also claimed that four people were killed, including a child, by a tank shell which hit a home in the Gaza City neighborhood of Sajaya. The IDF denied the report. The army did confirm, however, that troops had killed a number of gunmen in the area.

Also Wednesday, six Kassam rockets fired from northern Gaza landed in and around Sderot, and eight mortars landed in open areas in the western Negev. No casualties were reported in the attacks.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's office released a statement condemning the IDF operations.

"The crimes that were committed in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli occupation must be strongly condemned," read the statement.

The statement continued: "This bloody escalation, which was initiated by the Israeli government, is a distinct violation of the cease-fire, and will lead to a chain of retaliations and the prolonging of violence."

The PA chairman's office went on to say that "this aggression comes only a single day after the Sharm e-Sheikh summit and calls into question whether Israel really intends to seal an agreement and negotiate to end the occupation."

In another incident overnight Tuesday, one Palestinian gunman was killed and three more were wounded in a fire fight with soldiers near Jenin.

According to the IDF, troops operating in the area surrounded a building in which the gunmen were hiding. When the four attempted to escape, the soldiers opened fire, moderately wounding one of the gunmen, who was subsequently arrested.

The remaining gunmen fled back into the building. When they made another attempt to flee an hour later, IDF troops opened fire again and wounded them. The gunmen threw a bomb at the soldiers during the operation, but no troops were hurt in the incident.

The two were taken to Ha'emek Hospital in Afula and were set to be transferred to the Shin Bet for questioning.

13 Year Old Killed by Kassam Rocket - Defense Minister's Comment Absurd!!!

13 YEAR OLD BOY MURDERED BY KASSAM -

DEFENSE MINISTER DOING NOTHING BECAUSE:

"RESTRAINT IS POWER"...???????

Defense Minister Amir Peretz says that "Restraint is Power" and that Israel has no plans to re-enter Gaza. In the meantime, our children are being murdered! (See article below, When is Enough Enough?). Again, we ask the question...When is Enough, Enough!? B'nai Elim Blogmaster

Report: Kassam victim dies of his wounds

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1180527969505&pagename=
JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

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JPost.com Staff, THE JERUSALEM POST

May. 31, 2007

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It was revealed Thursday morning that another victim of rocket fire died from wounds he received last week. The boy, aged 13, was riding a mini-bus when the rocket struck.

Meanwhile, the defense echelon estimates that Islamic Jihad and Hamas terrorist will continue to fire rockets into Israel despite the fact that the number of Kassams fired into the country has decreased, Israel Radio reported Thursday morning.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/122606
Defense Minister Amir Peretz, speaking at a Tel Aviv University conference Wednesday evening, said that Israel has no plans to enter Gaza, because "restraint is power.” Peretz added later on in the speech that “if there is no choice, the IDF will operate in Gaza.”

Lieberman's plan will work, and it is long overdue... See below: B'nai Elim Blogmaster

Minister of Strategic Affairs Avigdor Lieberman announced a plan Thursday that calls for a “completion of the Disengagement.” Lieberman explained to Army Radio: “We expelled all the Jews from Gaza and left there completely, but still provide it with economic support, water and electricity. We must sever all connections with Gaza and declare it an independent enemy entity,”