Israel battles Hamas as toll passes 900

Many of them are women and children. This sad situation is much more complicated than would a appear at first glance, and people condemning Israel should take note that it takes two to tango.

1) On one hand, Israel's reaction could be described as a knee-jerk reaction, but is Israel violating international law, as some say?

2) Consider the fact that Gaza is the most densely packed area on earth.

3) Also consider the fact that, if Israel does nothing, then rockets from Gaza will keep hitting Israel's population.

4) Finally, consider the fact that those firing the rockets into Israel declared long ago that Israel has no right to exist.

Put it all together, and there can only be one conclusion - Israel's actions, as ugly as they may be, are because Israel has no other choice. I feel badly for the Palestinian women and children who have died in this latest war, but Israel DOES have the right to not only exist, but to fight for its continued existence with all the vigor it deems necessary.

To the Palestinians - Want this bloodshed to end? There is a simple way you can do it. Control YOUR country, and disarm the terrorists that are firing rockets at Israel from YOUR territory. After all, it was YOUR side that started it. Blame Israel all you want, but your own hands are not without blood on them.

Article is here.

On one hand, Israel's reaction could be described as a knee-jerk reaction

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I disagree. I'd say a punch to the pelvis.

Israel is just fed up and has the power to do something about it, and allies in the West who will help out at the UN. If Hamas had equivalent power, the opposite invasion would be happening. Both sides just want their opponent eliminated, and I think that is sadly what it will boil down to.

Personally I'm a bit surprised that Isreal isn't using more...shall we say, decisive means?. We know they have the means to pretty much lay waste to much of the Gaza Strip. If not in it's entirety. And I honestly don't blame them. They are living in an area that does not want them. Hell they don't even want them alive much less in the area. They are continually threatened on almost all sides and then some. If I was them I would be alot tougher so that I could make sure I had the resources to deal with what I consider their biggest threat currently...Iran.

Iran warns Hamas not to accept truce

Iran is exerting heavy pressure on Hamas not to accept the Egyptian proposal for a cease-fire with Israel, an Egyptian government official said on Sunday.

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Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been firing missiles into Israel since 2004. This is 2009. The Israeli town of Sderot has taken the brunt of these missile attacks, with homes, schools, synagogues, malls, etc. destroyed. Over 6000 missiles have been fired into Israel from Gaza. Israel has run out of both patience and restraint.

Since the beginning of November 2008, Hamas increased the daily salvo to 30-40 missiles per day. They also increased the missile range and are now targeting the large coastal city of Askelon. Hamas was warned repeatedly by Israel to stop this immediately or suffer the consequences. Egypt and Mahmoud Abbas also warned Hamas to stop. Hamas not only didn't stop, it increased both missile frequency and range. There comes a point when enough is enough. That point is now.

Hamas was well aware that civilians in Gaza would suffer greatly if it continued to attack its neighbor. As is evident, Hamas cares not one iota for the people of Gaza. Hamas has brought death and destruction to its territory.

Hamas is not a true government but rather... is an objective. The destruction of Israel. It will stop at nothing, not even the decimation of Gaza, to pursue this objective. All Hamas has to do is agree that no more missiles will be fired into Israel. Hamas refuses to do so. The war continues and will continue until Hamas agrees to this point.

The question is: How many civilian lives are worth the Hamas "right" to rocket Israel? I have no idea. But it is obvious that this dreadful tipping point has not yet been reached.