Moderators John317 Posted January 13, 2009 Moderators Share Posted January 13, 2009 Israeli leader warns Hamas of 'iron fist' By IBRAHIM BARZAK and CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA, Associated Press Writers – 2 hrs 34 mins ago AP – Gaza conflict drags on, talk of cease fire GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stood within Hamas rocket range Monday and warned Islamic militants that they face an "iron fist" unless they agree to Israeli terms for an end to war in the Gaza Strip. Hamas showed no signs of wavering, however, with its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, saying the militants were "closer to victory." Despite the tough words, Egypt said it was making slow progress in brokering a truce, and special Mideast envoy Tony Blair said elements were in place for a cease-fire. As Olmert spoke in the Israeli city of Ashkelon, Israeli tanks, gunboats and warplanes hammered suspected hiding places of Hamas operatives who control the poor, densely populated territory just across the border. After nightfall, flares and explosions lit up the sky over Gaza and heavy gunfire was heard in parts of the coastal territory of 1.4 million people. Hamas' fighters battled Israeli troops on the outskirts of Gaza City and launched 15 rockets at southern Israel. The group's prime minister insisted on an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the opening of blockaded border crossings as part of any truce. "As we are in the middle of this crisis, we tell our people we, God willing, are closer to victory. All the blood that is being shed will not go to waste," Haniyeh said on Hamas' Al Aqsa television. But he said the group was also pursuing a diplomatic track to end the conflict that "will not close." Haniyeh sat a desk in a room with a Palestinian flag and a Quran in the background. His location was unclear; Israeli airstrikes have targeted militant chiefs, and most are in hiding. The fighting began Dec. 27 and has killed more than 900 Palestinians, about half of them civilians, according to Palestinian medical officials. Thirteen Israelis, including 10 soldiers, have been killed. As diplomats struggled for traction in truce efforts, Olmert said Israel would only end military operations if Hamas stops rocketing Israel, as it has done for years, and is unable to rearm after combat subsides. "Anything else will be met with the Israeli people's iron fist," Olmert said. "We will continue to strike with full strength, with full force until there is quiet and rearmament stops." A few hours before Olmert spoke, a rocket hit a house in Ashkelon but caused no casualties. Olmert addressed regional mayors in the relative safety of the basement of a public building during his two-hour visit; he has toured other towns hit by rockets since the war began. Later, he tempered his tough talk, saying: "I really hope that the efforts we are making with the Egyptians these days will ripen to a result that will enable us to end the fighting." Ashkelon is 10 miles from the border with Gaza. The Israeli military says Hamas has Iranian-supplied rockets that can reach 25 miles into southern Israel. Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090112/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_palestinians Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted January 13, 2009 Members Share Posted January 13, 2009 Interesting how Hamas hides behind the poor Palestinians, while the stands out in the open. While hamas hides in bunkers under hospitals and day care centers etc., while the Israelis built bunkers for there civilians to be protected from all the rockets. pk Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators John317 Posted January 13, 2009 Author Moderators Share Posted January 13, 2009 Yes, it seems to be a whole different mind-set. The Jews never strapped bombs on their children, even during WW II. Jews always protected their young, and never sacrificed their lives in order to kill their enemies. On the contrary, it was common in Nazi Germany for a Jewish parent to sacrifice their own lives in order to try to save their child. I can't imagine putting a bomb on my daughter or son and sending them next door to blow themselves up on my neighbor's doorstep. How can one reason with someone willing to sacrifice their children this way? Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Shane Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Remember Sting's song "Russians"... We share the same biology Regardless of ideology Believe me when I say to you I hope the Russians love their children too The fact that the Russians love their children the same way that Americans love their children prevented WW3. Quote Pastoral Family Counselor... Find me at www.PostumCafe.com Author of Peculiar Christianity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Bravus Posted January 13, 2009 Moderators Share Posted January 13, 2009 But them thar A-rabs *hate* their children Quote Truth is important Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gerr Posted January 13, 2009 Moderators Share Posted January 13, 2009 Hamas and Hezbollah want Israel obliterated. There are Israelis who want to continue settling in Palestinian lands. As long as there are extremists in both camps, no lasting peace can ever be brokered there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted January 13, 2009 Members Share Posted January 13, 2009 I absolutely agree. I remember a Jewish worker for this company called Scitex, that used to come in when we were having problems with there machines. He told me that back in Israel that most Jews want that Israel give back all the land and to stop settling in Palestinian areas. I think the best thing that we can do is pray that God settles this problem the way he sees fit. Or how does that saying go "Let the Lords will be done not ours." pk Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Shane Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 But them thar A-rabs *hate* their children Well, I don't have any neighbors that throw parties when their children commit suicide. Nor do any of my neighbors murder their daughters that get raped in order to protect their family honor. I don't know if we want to label that kind of behavior hate. But it certainly is a different kind of love than the Russians and Americans have for their children. Quote Pastoral Family Counselor... Find me at www.PostumCafe.com Author of Peculiar Christianity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Bravus Posted January 14, 2009 Moderators Share Posted January 14, 2009 Not commenting on this, just not. Quote Truth is important Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fccool Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Not commenting on this, just not. I have no will to reply to this either. Especially, since this idea has been repeated several times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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