The IAF targeted more Hamas installations, including one that housed the jail where Hamas was keeping Fatah prisoners. Darn. Okay, I didn’t mean that. Two terrorist organizations with one blow? Excellent. Fatah’s hands are bloody, too. Those were not innocent bystanders in jail.
Israel is sending in humanitarian supplies:
A day after hundreds of Palestinians were killed and injured in Gaza, and following a consultation between the defense establishment, Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister’s Office, it was decided to allow the entry of a limited amount of humanitarian aid from international aid organization into the Strip.
According to the agreement, the crossings will remain closed, but trucks carrying medical equipment, medications and basic food products will enter the Strip through the Kerem Shalom terminal.
What other nation has to do such a thing to quell worldwide public opinion? Did Russia send in humanitarian supplies while it was bombing Georgia?
The IAF also got a few rocket squads in the past day or so, and will be looking for more. Hamas rocket fire hasn’t stopped, but the IDF says it’s “restrained.”
Hamas’ response to Israel’s aerial attack of strategic targets in Gaza on Saturday is relatively restrained, despite the rocket-fire of short-range and Grad rockets, IDF sources said Sunday morning. They added that there is a possibility for a massive response from Hamas.
Speaking of worldwide opinion: The UN Security Council issued a statement calling on both sides to stop the “violence.”
The UN Security Council called early on Sunday for an immediate halt to all violence in Gaza after a day of Israeli air strikes in response to rocket and mortar fire by Gaza militants against Israel.
“The members of the Security Council expressed serious concern at the escalation of the situation in Gaza and called for an immediate halt to all violence,” said a statement read to reporters by Croatian Ambassador Neven Jurica, president of the council.
“The members called on the parties to stop immediately all military activities.”
I don’t seem to recall any UNSC resolutions regarding the hundreds of rockets Hamas fired last week. Go figure. But, as it’s simply a statement and not a resolution, Israel can ignore it at will. And this statement by Ban Ki-Moon, as well:
On Saturday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his deep concern over the violence in Gaza and appealed for an immediate halt to all violence.
In a statement released by the UN chief, Ban said that while he recognized “Israel’s security concerns regarding the continued firing of rockets from Gaza,” he firmly reiterates “Israel’s obligation to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law and condemns excessive use of force leading to the killing and injuring of civilians.
He did release earlier statements condemning the Hamas rocket barrage—but only after Israel closed the crossings again because of it. I’m so glad the UN cares about Israel’s safety only in the context of whether or not they’re giving aid to their enemies.
Looks like Egypt’s pretty much done as Hamas’ go-between with Israel. I don’t think the Egyptians are going to care much. Egypt’s problems with the Muslim Brotherhood—of which Hamas is an offshoot—go back to the assassination of Anwar Sadat. Please remember that when you hear the idiots out there saying that Hamas will moderate its views. It has not done so in two years of ruling Gaza.
Egypt “collaborated” with Israel in its Gaza attack and lulled Hamas into thinking the Israel Defense Forces would not attack Gaza, the London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi reported Sunday.
The report, based on Arab diplomatic sources, claims that Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman told a number of Arab leaders that Israel was intending to attack the Gaza Strip in a limited manner in order to pressure the Palestinian organization into agreeing to a renewed ceasefire.
According to the paper, Hamas was given a different message.
I suspect that giving Egypt that information was part of the tactics of deception the IDF used to lull Hamas into a false sense of security. And if Egypt complains? Oh, like Israel’s going to clue Egypt into her confidential military plans.
Hamas sources close to former Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar told the paper that Egypt told Hamas on Friday evening that Israel had agreed to begin negotiations about a potential ceasefire and would not attack Gaza before Cairo had attempted to settle the issue.
These sources noted that, in general, Hamas’ internal ministry orders the evacuation of its security compounds following any Israeli threat of operative action. They had not done so this time based on Egypt’s assurance that Israel wouldn’t attack and based on the assumption that an IDF attack would not be launched on Saturday.
Israel took the steps needed to call up the reserves.
Along with sending in humanitarian aid, Israel will treat some of the injured Palestinians. I would hope they’re taking only civilians—women, children, and old men. But I’m guessing they’ll take everyone.
So much for that famous Muslim solidarity: Hezbullah says they won’t open up a second front “at this time.” Yeah, Iran’s saving them for a possible attack on its nuclear facilities. Interesting, though, how the Arab/Muslim world talks so much about solidarity with their “Palestinian brothers and sisters,” yet when the Israel finally strikes back, they’re content to organize protests and blast Israel in the media. So much for that mythical Arab Street. (By the way, mainstream analysts were predicting the fall of governments like Egypt because of protests against the Gaza operation. Shyeah. That’ll happen.)
This post is long enough. More later.
