Israel Demolishes Hamas Compounds, Over 200 Dead

[John317]

Israel demolishes Hamas compounds, over 200 dead

By IBRAHIM BARZAK, Associated Press Writer – 2 hrs 19 mins ago

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Israeli warplanes retaliating for rocket fire from the Gaza Strip pounded dozens of security compounds across the Hamas-ruled territory in unprecedented waves of airstrikes Saturday, killing more than 200 people and wounding nearly 400 in the single bloodiest day of fighting in years.

Most of those killed were security men, but an unknown number of civilians were also among the dead. Hamas said all of its security installations were hit, threatened to resume suicide attacks, and sent at least 70 rockets and mortar shells crashing into Israeli border communities, according to the Israeli military. One Israeli was killed and at least six people were hurt.

With so many wounded, the Palestinian death toll was likely to rise.

The strikes caused widespread panic and confusion in Gaza, as black clouds of smoke rose above the territory, ruled by Hamas for the past 18 months. Some of the Israeli missiles struck in densely populated areas as children were leaving school, and women rushed into the streets frantically looking for their children.

"My son is gone, my son is gone," wailed Said Masri, a 57-year-old shopkeeper, as he sat in the middle of a Gaza City street, slapping his face and covering his head with dust from a bombed-out security compound nearby.

He said he had sent his 9-year-old son out to purchase cigarettes minutes before the airstrikes began and now could not find him. "May I burn like the cigarettes, may Israel burn," Masri moaned.

The offensive began eight days after a six-month truce between Israel and the militants expired. The Israeli army says Palestinian militants have fired some 300 rockets and mortars at Israeli targets over the past week, and in recent days, Israeli leaders had threatened to launch a major offensive.

"There is a time for calm and there is a time for fighting, and now is the time for fighting," said Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, vowing to expand the operation if necessary.

Asked whether Hamas political leaders might be targeted, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni declared at a news conference: "Hamas is a terrorist organization and nobody is immune."

For the rest of the news story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081227/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_palestinians

[fccool]

“When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are to possess and casts out the many peoples living there, you shall then slaughter them all and utterly destroy them…You shall make no agreements with them nor show them any mercy…You shall destroy their altars, break down their images, cut down their groves and burn their graven images with fire. For you are a holy people unto the LORD thy God and He has chosen you to be a special people above all others upon the face of the earth…”

I think they are still living by this one.

[Bravus]

This one could probably have gone in the broader 'World Affairs' forum rather than in the narrower 'Politics' sub-forum.

[phkrause]

The problem is no one says anything until Israel finally has had enough and strikes back. Than everyone condemns them. I can't even remember how long and how many rockets (some 300????) blasted in Israel with not one word of condemnation from any one any where. But now Israel decides they had enough and all speak out. Absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!!!!

pk

[Dr. Shane]

Yes, I agree that the Palestinians have it in their power to make peace. Regardless of the history of the conflict. At this point if Palestinians wanted peace they could have it.

[phkrause]

Yes I agree with you. I also believe that if it were up to the palestinians it might have been already. But it seems that they are allowing Hamas and all the other terrorist groups to dictate there fate. There are city's in Israel that palestinians and jews live side by side with no problems what so ever!!

pk

[fccool]

How can you not allow a rogue group to do what they want? It's not like they can take a vote and say don't do it. Hamas is a rogue organization with military power. I think Israel should know better. It's like asking a tazered man to get up off the ground and tazering him again for not complying. He can't and he has not control over his body. AI don't think it's just to collectively punish entire population of people for actions of extremists.

The rockets fired are nothing compared with IAF firepower. On top of that they have technology to simply shoot these rockets out of the sky. Why don't they?

It's about a generational hate between both parties that resulted from previous conflicts. It's about sons who's fathers and mothers were killed seeking revenge. So, it's all about revenge... it's not about a land anymore IMO. It's sad to see Palestinian children calling Israeli ... dogs, and Jewish children drawing on hate messages on rockets which are about to be fired.

[Kountzer]

Welcome to the endtimes.