The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.
© Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Israel declares war; goes after Hamas fighters and bombards Gaza
TEL AVIV, Israel©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
82 Comments
Nakam
Now it is time to sit back and watch Israel exact its revenge.
All supporters of terrorism will be dealt with.
Simon Foston
NakamToday 06:23 am JST
Doubt it, if Israel failed that badly to figure out what Hamas was planning to do. They'll just blunder about, killing indiscriminately and generating even more support for terrorists.
TaiwanIsNotChina
I don't want to see 155 mm or HIMARS ammunition going to Israel at this time. Those are desperately needed in Ukraine and Israel has plenty of other weapons systems. Otherwise, have at it, Israel.
EFD
The Iranians have bitten off more than they can chew.
They will rue the day they agreed to this.
Nakam
Because they failed badly does that mean Israel deserved to have its citizens murdered?
Were Hamas terrorists blundering about? Because they were killing indiscriminately and generated world support even more for the nation of Israel.
I'm willing to bet Hamas and Gaza will pay an extremely heavy price, and the body count in the end will favor Israel.
Haaa Nemui
It already does and it’s highly disproportionate. Going after Hamas is the right thing to do though.
Strangerland
That’s about it. The oppression of Palestine is a travesty, but these actions by Hamas are a worse travesty. They’ve hurt their own cause, as much of the world that may have supported their cause before, see them as entirely in the wrong for the mass murder of civilians in a terrorist attack.
oyatoi
Morgenthau Plan Redux!
kurisupisu
Over 5 million people forced to live in poverty, all treated as convicts by the Israelis, needing to rely on food aid-that is Palestine.
Israel is continually enlarging and forcing more and more Palestinians off their lands, making the situation worse.
Palestinians are not free to pass out of Palestine into Israel nor can they enter Egypt.
It’s a prison
The prisoners have just broken out-I’m not surprised by their frustration.
Now Israel will attempt to exact revenge by seeking to destroy Hamas.
However, it will be the case that thousands of innocent people (if not more) die in Palestine as a result.
My fear is that it will turn into a genocide.
History is repeating…
itsonlyrocknroll
The forced brutal kidnapping hostage taking, slandering of civilians could well be the catalyst for a ground invasion.
What We Know About the Hamas Attack and Israel’s Response
https://www.nytimes.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-what-we-know.html
Mr. Netanyahu said early Sunday that the “first phase” of Israel’s response had come to an end, claiming that Israeli forces had fought off most Hamas militants inside its territory. Amid speculation that Israel was preparing for a substantial ground invasion of Gaza, he pledged to continue the offensive “without reservation and without respite.”
Politik Kills
Hamas is as big threat to the Palestinian people as the Israeli occupiers of their land. They are the big losers in this, stuck between a terrorist group and a highly armed (by US of course) militant and angry country. On either side, the killing of civilians is a war crime.
Jimizo
On more serious matters:
Not only that, they’ve given this hardline Israeli government a lifeline - Netanyahu’s government was under severe pressure.
They’ve emboldened the types Palestinians don’t want to see emboldened.
Strangerland
Reminds me of when the people supported Little Bush through sympathy for America after 9/11.
lincolnman
Well, this needless attack by Hamas/Hezbollah did what the Russians and Iranians hoped it would do when they conspired together to plan it....there are no Ukraine war articles on Russian losses or war crimes today....
Mark
Israel is finally getting a dose of it's own medicine, for years savage Israeli settlers, soldiers, and thugs have killing Palestinians on daily bases in Palestine and now Israel is getting a taste of it's own Brutality.
Chabbawanga
And the violence continues for another 50 years
Haaa Nemui
I think there are a lot of people here who feel this way. These attacks by Hamas have been the worst thing that could happen for the Palestinian cause. Israel has been massively oppressive toward Palestinians for decades, and now it will only get worse. What did Hamas think was going to happen. It’s just stupid.
EFD
I agree.
Yrral
If Ukrainain had the audacity to do what Hamas did,maybe they would achieve something on a grandeur scale,the people of Palestine have the majority support around the world,from Las Americas,Africa,Asia and places in between,only people that support Israel are Evangelical Christian,and they are not 1 percent of the world population Google Palestinian World wide Support
Mark
Attacking unarmed civilians is a war crime and Israel has been doing it for well over 75 years, Hamas on the other h is doing the same exact thing and NO ONE could agree with these actions anymore.
Chabbawanga
They are extremists. They dont care.
Tamarama
Here's what doesn't get reported upon in the West - which is why people just blindly support Israel, especially some of the American posters here, seemingly just because they are an American ally. This is the hidden story, this is the cause of the violence. The UN General assembly, the UN Security Council, the International Court of Justice all know it, and keep in mind, the UN General Assembly do not consider Hamas a 'terrorist' organisation, despite the US' best efforts to have them designated as such.
Haaa Nemui
Fair point. It’s also directed at anybody who might support the actions of Hamas.
kurisupisu
This is an ongoing war by both sides.
The stones were cast a long time ago
Thinking Israel is a victim in this mess?
https://www.newsweek.com/jordan-caught-off-guard-israel-west-bank-raid-1810594
quercetum
So a major US media invites a guest who says China is behind this attack and China gave the green light to →Iran →Hezabollah→ Hamas.
Low IQ of viewers allows the media to do this.
bass4funk
Very true, and that’s why Israelis don’t care what the both UN Security and UN General Assembly thinks, doesn’t even like or trust the majority of these countries. Israel will do what it has to in order to survive.
geronimo2006
The continuing suppression and occupation of the Palestinians has got to stop or we will see a lot more bloodshed on both sides and instability in the middle east. If the creation of a stable Palestinian state is not achieved terrorist organizations like Hamas will thrive. No doubt Israel will respond forcefully and later there will be further attacks on Israel and its backers. The cycle need to be broken.
wallace
Israel needs to avoid bombing civilian homes that are not military targets.
"Nasser Abu Quta said 19 members of his family including his wife were killed when an airstrike hit their home, where he and his extended family were huddling on the ground floor in the southern Gaza city of Rafah."
bass4funk
Well, Hamas started this, so they will get their wish, there will be a lot of bloodshed like never before, it’s coming
Yeah, I think Hamas can forget that, that dream went up in smoke, it’s not going to happen.
True and the IDF will be right there to stomp them out.
Right now, Hamas just stirred up a hornets nest, I have no idea what the Israelis are planning or even how to execute this, but rest assured Hamas and their capabilities of launching attacks will be significantly reduced that should set them back for years.
Tamarama
Which is ironic, given their history. On one hand, they were the victims of one of the worst genocides in history - a story widely told and almost universally sympathized with. Yet on the other hand, they are treating their ancestral and genetic brothers and sisters in basically the same way now. And ignoring the rest of the world's requests to stop and be more reasonable. To be more...circumspect, compassionate and reflective, if you will, bass4funk.
But Israel appears too far down their own Rabbit hole now, they've lost perspective.
Ass
Maybe it's time to put a stop to these hamas terrorist states once and for all.
wallace
bass4funk
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has existed long before Hamas existed.
Even if the Hamas no longer existed the conflict will remain until there is a solution.
bass4funk
I am sure they are aware of this.
Well, That’s the price of war, you try and avoid killing innocent people, but innocent people will ultimately die regardless of how careful you execute a mission as dangerous as this. These terrorists are absolute cowards, kidnapping innocent men and women and using them as human shields or hiding amongst their own people and using them as human shields, this is what cowards do. And I think this time these tactics won’t save them.
Yes, but never to this violent extent, this is a whole new different level.
Probably, but the first thing to do is eliminate as many senior terrorists as possible clean out and root out this cancer.
Chabbawanga
If this guy ended up fighting for Hamas and killing israelis can you really blame him?
Every innocent killed on either side just creates another murderous extremist.
TaiwanIsNotChina
I am not a military expert, nor am I someone with inside knowledge of what is still there. Still it is better than being a gaslighting commentator.
Raw Beer
But for how many decades must the Palestinians be brutally oppressed before the international community does something about it?
grund
What an awful turn of events. And in the end the only thing that will have been achieved will be a lot of death and suffering for the civilians and innocent bystanders on both sides.
wallace
January 18, 2023
The United States has transferred American munitions stored in Israel for use in Ukraine and plans to send more soon, US and Israeli officials told CNN Wednesday.
A US official told CNN they have moved “some” of the 300,000 155-millimeter shells that the US and Israel agreed would be transferred, and that there are plans to move the remaining amount in the coming weeks.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/18/politics/us-munitions-israel-ukraine/index.html
Sanjinosebleed
Netayahoo and his right wing loony club wanted this war as they were about to lose power! They have been niggling with murders, arrests and demolitions of Palestinians homes and lives for months and this s the result. The prisoners have finally snapped but of course western media doesn’t report the price tag killings and continued annexation of the West Bank and al quds!
The zionists just wiped a town of 10s of thousands off the map but that is not a war crime??
TaiwanIsNotChina
When Hamas has a platform involving anything more than religious funamentalism, maybe they would be eligible for one.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Let's hope there is nothing left. Israel has other means at its disposal whereas Ukraine does not.
Tamarama
bass4funk
I think you fundamentally misunderstand the geopolitical reality of this situation for the Palestinians. Have you been to Israel? I'm assuming not. These people are herded and penned cattle, with their captors armed to their eye teeth standing round the pens with loaded guns pointing into them, which they discharge from time to time. How would you behave in that situation? If you resisted, would that make you a terrorist, or a freedom fighter?
No it's not, it's been like this many times before - and worse. The 1967 war, 15,000 Arabs killed, The first Intifada - approximately 2000 Palestinians killed, The Second Intifada, around 3300 Palestinians killed, the 2008/9 Gaza War, 1400 Palestinians killed, 2014 Gaza war, 2100 Palestinians killed, 2018/9 183 Palestinians killed, 2021 243 Palestinians killed.
Not a whole different level at all.
wallace
bass4funk
You have no direct knowledge, just your opinion.
You mean like the US missile attack against a family in Afghanistan who were thought to be terrorists. You condemned that.
It is a war crime to abduct civilians. The Hamas are anything but cowards and are willing to die for their cause. Underestimating them would be a mistake.
Since the formation of Israel about ten times as many Palestinians have been killed. More Israelis have been killed than at any other time.
It should not be referred to as a cancer.
stormcrow
Both sides are very angry and bloody.
This will not end well.
wallace
Sadly, many more will die on both sides before this current conflict ends.
EFD
One can stand with Israel while still having empathy for the Palistinians.
Unfortunately, attacks such as this eliminate the space for moderate intercession.
bass4funk
I do, because the IDF and Israeli government confirmed it.
Yes, but I also understand the realities of war and in this particular it doesn’t leave the Israelis a lot of options going forward.
Good and Israel will gladly grant them their wish.
Well, then the Palestinians should not engage in terrorist acts that would bring on their quick demise.
I disagree, they are a deep-rooted cancer.
lincolnman
Have the Palestinians suffered for decades under harsh Israeli rule. True...
But have the Palestinians rejected peace initiatives that gave them 90% of what they wanted? True...
https://www.timesofisrael.com/abbas-admits-he-rejected-2008-peace-offer-from-olmert/
The truth is both sides have done unconscionable harm to each other; the bulldozing of homes by the Israelis and the unguided missile attacks by Hamas....
But when one side paraglides into a concert packed with innocent civilians, guns most of them down, then takes the rest for hostages, that is a level of evil that transcends those of the past...
It is clear that Iran conspired with Hamas/Hezbollah to sink the Israeli-Saudi peace accord. No doubt Putin encouraged the attack also to deflect from his debacle in Ukraine...
In turn, the world must; 1) Allow the Israelis to use full force against the terrorists, 2) Give renewed effort to complete the Israel-Saudi peace accord, and 3) Continue to focus on and support Ukraine from its invasion by Russia.
Anything else and the terrorists and dictators win...
wallace
bass4funk
The vast majority of Palestinians are not terrorists.
Haaa Nemui
Had Ukraine attacked Russia in the way that Hamas has gone after everybody inside Israel, Ukraine would likely not have received the support that it has received. But dog whistle.
bass4funk
Yes.
Then you assumed wrongly.
You can flip that around and make the same argument, attacking shooting kids in the head, massacring people at weddings, raping women and young girls, planting explosives and cutting off people’s heads.
And you think Hamas will win this? If you think this will help them in the two state solution, it’s just not going to happen, ever. Thank Hamas for that, they ended all prospects of that ever coming to fruition.
However, the vast majority of Palestinians in Gaza live among the terrorists.
Peter Neil
There is no long-term solution. And some do not want one.
In this day and age, with the world-leading intelligence capabilities of the Israelis, it’s hard not to wonder if Netanyahu deliberately ignored information to stay in power. If anyone would do it, he certainly would. Let’s see. I’ll bet he’ll say he needs to stay in power now in this emergency.
wallace
Hamas has never had any interest in a Two-state solution. Their aim is to destroy Israel.
wallace
This conflict will greatly help Netanyahu stay in power which he was losing.
rainyday
I’ve long sympathized with the plight of Palestinians and viewed Israeli intransigence as the main cause of the continuing conflict there.
But gunning down 260 innocent people in cold blood at a music festival? Hamas is insanely depraved and needs to be wiped out.
Tamarama
I'm not sure what this connection is, but if you are trying to suggest there is some kind of parity in the comparison of the geopolitical reality between Israelis and Palestinians, it merely confirms the fact that you fundamentally do not understand this conflict.
This comment appears to have no connection to what you quoted.
Where would you suggest they go?
bass4funk
Of course, you have no retort
I am not suggesting they go anywhere, but they had free elections, they wanted Hamas to represent them, so here we are and now the IDF will eliminate them as much as they possibly can and yes, you can’t stomp out a belief, but you greatly set it back a few years and learn from the mistakes or should they just occupy Gaza? No one wants that, but if it means to safeguard the Jewish nation, that could be a possible solution.
But to green light and pay the bill it is.
I would flip that statement around actually.
John-San
Two days have pass yet no support for Israel’s from their neighbors, to counter this terrorist attacks. They are silent. I wonder why ? Israel is left by itself to deal with it. I find very strange. Most of Ukraine neighboring countries are supporting Ukraine with military supplies. But none of Israel neighbors have offered none. Only Egypt has offered to mediate. Didn’t Trump fix this problem when he was in offices. Now we have Biden sitting on his hands. Press releases say they sent an aircraft carrier in response but that carrier is present before the attack. There is a lot of lip service by UK, USA, Australia and Japan but I assume behind close door Israel was told that this will happened if they keep up taking land away from the attackers and they will not aid them when it does happen but refused to listen. It a case of reap what you sow Israel
JJE
Let us get this straight - the occupier has "declared war" on the occupied.
bass4funk
Planning, they will be sending in ground troops, make no mistake, this will take awhile, there were talks about possibly sending in a few American special ops, but this is just in the early stages of the talks, nothing concrete.
Digging deep today, eh.
Israel can take care of itself.
As they should, Israel on the other hand is surrounded by enemies that want to see its complete destruction
Will be more worse for Hamas in the next coming days.
JJE
Elements of the media are reporting this:
United States to make tough decisions about which ally gets its already-limited supplies of ammunition. Ukraine has, until now, shifted attention — and weapons — away from the Middle East.
In January, the NYT reported the US was drawing artillery shells from a "vast but little-known stockpile" of the ammunition, located within Israel itself, and providing them to Ukraine. Washington has already transferred to Kyiv more than 2 million rounds of crucial 155mm artillery shells, running through its own domestic stockpiles.
It gets more complex. The money pot and its distribution will have to shift. And we all know an unspoken truth; in the eyes of Washington, one of these allies is expendable and one isn't - we'll see if you can guess which one.
Nakam
Anyone trying to justify Hamas' murders is a terrorist at heart. This terrorist attack has nothing to do with supposed occupation of Palestinian Arabs' territory.
This was an attack by Iran, through its proxy Hamas, and the goal was not to gain anything for the Palestinian Arab people. This is Iran lashing out at Israel and Saudi Arabia getting closer.
That's all. That was the motive. A political one. Attempted to be carried out by terrorism.
Anyone blabbering about "50 years of occupation" or "the Palestinians have suffered for so long" needs their head examined if they believe those irrelevant excuses can justify the direct attack on these innocent civilians made up of women, children, the elderly, men, attending a peace festival, sitting at home with their families, driving their cars, walking outside in their neighborhoods.
Those Palestinian Arabs who claim to not be associated with Hamas will nonetheless feel the wrath unlike what they ever imagined before, I promise.
Simon Foston
Nakam
Today 06:50 am JST
No, it means I think whatever heavy -handed military response they have initiated may fail just as badly.
They might have been very easy to stop if that were the case but it looks like they achieved exactly what they wanted. I doubt the IDF will.
bass4funk
Hardly.
Blinken, who previously endorsed a $6 billion financial package for Iran alongside President Biden, has now openly admitted that Iran has “unfortunately always used and focused its funds on supporting terrorism.”
This admission comes after NBC’s Kristen Welker questioned the fungibility of money, suggesting that Iran could be using other funds to support attacks.
Blinkin admitted that Iran has consistently used its funds to support terrorism and groups like Hamas.
Three weeks ago, The Gateway Pundit predicted Iran would use the cash to fund their military and regional ambitions.
We were right. Iran’s Islamist proxy Hamas fired over 5,000 missiles into Israel in a surprise Sabbath attack.
Trump called it three weeks ago.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/10/shocker-antony-blinken-who-agreed-give-6-billion/
https://www.theblaze.com/Featured-Stories---Homepage/israel-war-palestine-hamas-iran-billion-desantis-trump
She’s right.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/haley-slams-blinken-as-irresponsible-for-saying-no-link-between-israel-attack-and-6b-released-to-iran/ar-AA1hSHKE
John-San
Bass4Funk: No doubt Israel will beat a rag tag force of terrorist. But that will not solve Israel problems with their neighboring Muslin Counties. Will it. It make them more aggressive. I can not see any countries give support to Israel after this. Show support and that country or countries will start having terrorist attacks again. like I said a lot of lip service but no solid commitment. Look like the Israel government are on their own. If there is support, Turkey will close down the strait to all military. This is geopolitical and I assume why there is no support coming Israel’s way.
louisferdinandc
It’s so comfortable to call rockets from Gaza to Israel ´terrorism’ and air strikes and land invasions from Israel to Gaza ‘targeted executions’ and ‘defense’. Truth is, if both countries had an army it would be a war, but it isn’t. It is a conflict with disproportionate means and casualties and Palestinian civilians dying at over ten times the rate of Israeli, stuck between a powerful occupation army and idiot extremists that flourish in desperation, rage and poverty.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/10/07/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-maps.html
proxy
It is really shocking to see how many far-left academics in North America support the terrorist's purposeful slaughter of innocent civilians.
Strangerland
Is that what the far-right websites are telling you?
Blacklabel
the bbq party Joe just held when Americans and Israelis are dead and held hostage.
not surprised as Biden and Obama (221 million direct to Palestine and pallets of cash to Iran) ) gave the money and abandoned the weapons needed for the attack.
JJE
The techno music festival mentioned was called the "Supernova Sukkot Gathering".
Looking at the DJ lineup on the flyers, it featured at least two Japanese DJs. One is "Spectra Sonics", who was scheduled to perform from 7:15-8:45 in the morning on the "nova stage".
This was around the time of the attack (it happened early morning in daylight).
Looks like there were two simultaneous stages/dancing areas
What appear to be Japanese artists are on the schedule for the "mushroom stage" - a DJ "Gu" scheduled from 00:30-2:30 (from midnight half).
Still trying to ascertain more details.
bass4funk
Such is life.
Except the ones that were always by Israel’s side.
Jimizo
How many? Who are they?
Have you been watching rightwing North American podcasts and free thinking?
mrtinjp
Doubt it, if Israel failed that badly to figure out what Hamas was planning to do. They'll just blunder about, killing indiscriminately and generating even more support for terrorists.
Well now Israel is free to do whatever they want, with full support from this planet minus the jihadi types..there is no longer any support for these terrorist types..
proxy
Well, here is the post made by CUPE on X after the terrorist attack:
"Palestine is rising, long live the resistance."
Strangerland
Are you sure that really happened?
TaiwanIsNotChina
What does that even mean? You think Hamas needs payment to launch its operation? Their banks are all up in flames. They need physical items to function. 6 billion dollars in gold would be risky to transport and it's doubtful Iran would blow its entire reserves on Hamas. You're going to have to find better things to make up to blame Biden for.
7thPatriarch
Back in the 90s, Canada was taking point on negotiating a Middle East peace deal and my father was tasked to be Ambassador to Israel which would have put him square in the middle of brokering a treaty.
Having lived in Israel during the Six-Day War, he turned down the posting. I later asked him why and he diplomatically responded, "Jews love to kill Arabs. Arabs love to kill Jews. They can kill each other."
The more things change, the more things stay the same.
Puck drops in 2 days.
JJE
Israel media is reporting that the IDF will launch a special military operation in the next 24-48 hours with a possible ground incursion into Gaza.
Neutralizing of "vicinity targets" using artillery all along the Gaza border is being reported.