Tel-Chai Nation

Finally, a considerable air raid on Gaza in retaliation for Hamas' rocket attacks took place:

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 at least 155 and wounding more than 310 in the single bloodiest day of fighting in recent memory.

Hamas said all of its security installations were hit and responded with several medium-range Grad rockets at Israel, reaching deeper than in the past. One Israeli was killed and at least four people were wounded.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said "the operation will last as long as necessary," but it was not clear if it would be coupled with a ground offensive. Asked if Hamas political leaders might be targeted next, military spokeswoman Maj. Avital Leibovich said, "Any Hamas target is a target."

If there's no ground offensive, how can we be convinced? Also, are the AP suggesting that Israel is to blame for deaths on their own side?

Since this is the AP reporting, low grade sob stories are expected:

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.

In Gaza City's main security compound, bodies of more than a dozen uniformed security officers lay on the ground. One survivor raised his index finger in a show of Muslim faith, uttering a prayer. The Gaza police chief was among those killed. One man, his face bloodied, sat dazed on the ground as a fire raged nearby.

It wasn't immediately clear how many civilian casualties there were.

Said Masri sat in the middle of a Gaza City street, close to a security compound, alternately slapping his face and covering his head with dust from the bombed-out building.

"My son is gone, my son is gone," wailed Masri, 57. The shopkeeper said he 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.

If you cannot recognize that Hamas is the cause of your misfortunes, dummy, and can only curse Israel, then I cannot sympathise with your plight.

Notice also how, while the AP acknowledges Hamas' rocket attacks, they perpetuate the lie that there was ever really a truce:

Past limited ground incursions and air strikes have not halted rocket barrages from Gaza.

But with 200 mortars and rockets raining down on Israel since the truce expired a week ago, and 3,000 since the beginning of the year, according to the military's count, pressure had been mounting in Israel for the military to crush the gunmen.

Let us be clear. There was NEVER any real truce, and even if there was, it does not excuse that the Hamas is a terrorist gang, and is thus illegitimate.

The IAF did the right thing to act. The AP does the wrong thing to side with the Islamofascists.

Others on the subject include Hot Air, A Blog for All, Isreally Cool, Judeopundit, DaTechGuy's Blog, Israpundit, Pirates' Cove, Mere Rhetoric, EclectEcon, Daled Amos.

Labels: anti-semitism, islam, Israel, jihad, terrorism, war on terror