Gaza violence rages on despite U.N. cease-fire call

Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Israel.

...and all of Europe, and Russia, and China, and, well, pretty much everyone on earth except for Iran and Syria. Wouldn't that be a more relevant statement?

I hope they get this worked out. Too much killing on both sides. < :-)

Hamas violently wrested control of the Gaza Strip from the Palestinian Authority in June 2007 and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Israel.

..and i thought U.N and U.S never strike a deal with terrorist..? Better destroy them all.Hamas is such a pain in the ass for Western world..hahaha

If you consider only the leaders, then yes most leaders will say Hamas is a terrorist organization and Israel is just defending itself. But if you consider the people of the world (not their leaders), then I expect that by far most consider the Israeli government as the greater terrorist organization. To understand why leaders make such claims, one must realize that much of the billions of dollars in aid given to Israel finds its way back to the donor country where it is used to bribe politicians.

Israel murdering UN people! Wow, who would have expected such a thing? But seriously, they have a long history of doing such things, ever since 1948 when the murdered the UN peace mediator, Count Folk Bernadot.

the attack on the U.N. truck, which killed two Palestinian workers, took place during a three-hour humanitarian lull announced by the Israel Defense Force. Four U.N. Relief and Works Agency local staff have been killed in the conflict.

All I can say is pond scum!

Hamas violently wrested control of the Gaza Strip from the Palestinian Authority in June 2007

Never mind that they won a majority in the government in Gaza in early 2006. Nevermind that Fatah resisted their democratically bestowed power. Never mind that the U.S. and Israel armed Fatah, and surprise! turned those arms on Hamas.

and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Israel.

Never mind that Fatah is also responsible for terror and suicide attacks on Israelis.

Yeah, I too prefer Fatah over Hamas, but if you want Gazans to vote Fatah, you got to give them enough reasons to think Fatah is making progress toward freeing Gaza strip, not just give Fatah weapons.

Feel sorry for the civvies in all this. On one side you have a bunch of fundamentalist terrorist thugs, and on the other you have Israel, never a shrinking violet when it comes to exercising force. Seriously, something needs to be done to address the Palestinian problem once a for all. These people are living in conditions paramount to the Warsaw Ghetto circa 1944. Just the plight of the civvies gives the terrorists a reason to exist. Perhaps if some effort was made to improve conditions in Gaza etc., support for Hamas and other wackjobs would drop off.

Then again, perhaps Israel and its backers (in the US) prefer that the Palestinians are kept as Untermensch

The U.S. has just abstained from a U.N. vote calling for a ceasefire. This means that the U.S. can continue supplying Israel with arms and standby why Israel slaughters more innocent men, women and children. I guess this is a continuation of the American Middle East policy.

I agree 100% with Timorborder's post. Succinct, well put, and pretty well free of any bias.

Now that Israel has attacked yet ANOTHER UN 'target', the people more than anyone else are going to suffer.

I seriously wonder sometimes if Israel doesn't do this on purpose. I mean, the UN truck was clearly labelled, and while the 3 hour aid delivery deal hadn't quite started yet (it seems), the truck was VERY clearly labelled and headed towards a gate to deliver supplies. Who the hell did the Israeli government think it was? They said there was Palestinian fire coming from that direction, but where? Usually SuperLib and others come on here and say that the low number of civilians is proof of how high-precision the Israeli machine is, so what's the deal here? They also hit a UN school. And they destroyed a UN outpost, again clearly marked, in the fighting with the Hez a while back, killing a Canadian and a few others if I recall correctly.

I think Israel LIKES hitting the UN, and in this case it would and has certainly added a lot of strain to the Palestinian people (although it further makes Israel look bad).

As I stated yesterday, the most foolish of this whole lot -- and both sides are fools -- is Israel if they think they will achieve peace through the aggression they are putting out.

According to the latest news flash, the Uinted nations just passed a resolution calling for an immediate and durable cease fire in Gaza. Right, that'll stop em.

How can innocent people who have been slaughtered by Israel celebrate?

According to the latest news flash, the Uinted nations just passed a resolution calling for an immediate and durable cease fire in Gaza. Right, that'll stop em.

The only thing that would work is having international boots on the ground, many of them, and heavily armed, enforce a cease-fire and the pre-1967 borders.

sabiwabi: "The only thing that would work is having international boots on the ground, many of them, and heavily armed, enforce a cease-fire and the pre-1967 borders."

That won't work... Israel will just shoot at them, and when there came international outrage about it, they would claim that Palestinians were launching rockets from somewhere in the area.

It has been a combination of Holocaust guilt and stategic self interests that have kept the world from truly forcing Israel to work out a solution that is fair to the Palestinians.

Until we change policies and force both sides to compromise, this kind of murderous rage will go on forever. It is time to stop taking sides and to occupy both regions and force a unified state into existence.

"The only thing that would work is having international boots on the ground, many of them, and heavily armed, enforce a cease-fire and the pre-1967 borders." That won't work... Israel will just shoot at them, and when there came international outrage about it, they would claim that Palestinians were launching rockets from somewhere in the area.

Indeed, that is why I made sure to include that there would have to be many boots on the ground and heavily armed. Simple unarmed observers would certainly be attacked. Unfortunately, I doubt western leaders will ever accept this, they (the leaders) depend on Israel.

tknoid;good idea. that approached worked in the Balkens didn't it.

that approached worked in the Balkens didn't it.

There is no approach that will work in the sense of instant tranquility. There are bad solutions and worse solutions. Its mostly a matter of deciding which is which.

Anyway, in terms the scale of the violence and deaths, this ain't the Balkans and no where near it. Thus the best of the bad solutions could be the same or different.

It really seems these aid workers have more to fear from the Israeli military than Hamas doesn't it?

The Israeli military said in a statement that it cooperates closely with foreign aid groups to help civilians, and said Hamas uses civilians as human shields.

And the Israelis shoot anything that moves! That is how the score got to be 750 to 13.

No one has said there is a perfect tranquil solution. But the current path is not workable and is clearly leading to the eventual destruction of both sides.

Until Iraelis and Palestinians are interdependent economically and socially, they will never stop fighting. A unified state has been proposed for decades now. And it makes the most sense.

Will it be easy. No. Will it work. Maybe. But it is a new direct that has potential to create greater balance than having one rich powerful state next to an essentially enslaved homeland state.

As for the Balkans. Divisions led that region to start ethnicly clensing each other. While the previous Soviet era rule had the region in reasonable harmony for at least a while.

Nationalism is not the answer, nor is having a set of imbalanced states going to work. Espencially when one group sees the whole as rightfully theirs.

Political integration, economic interdependence and global intervention is required. It can work.

one more note. The alternative is to undo the wrong of funding and creating the state of Israel in the first place. We easily forget that Israeli immigrants took these lands by force and that the rightful owners were pushed out. We also forget that those rightful owners, the Palestinians had been true and faithful allies of the west during the previous two world wars.

I know many Jews who are also anti-Zionists and who believe that Israeli rights are no more valid than Palestinian claims. And that a unified Palestine with both Jewish and Arab citizens protected by a strong constitution and international oversight is the only truly fair outcome for the region.

a unified Palestine with both Jewish and Arab citizens protected by a strong constitution and international oversight is the only truly fair outcome for the region.

Yes, I agree 100%. And lets not forget the Palestinians right of return.

Yeah...yeah...yeah... Israel can kill as many Gazans as it wants to, but unless a binding and doable agreement is worked out that can be monitored and protects all around this will happen again and again.

Either side can complain and bitch all they want, but unless they do something tangible we'll see this again. < :-)

one little problem fellas, its called the holy koran and islamic fundamentalists. how are you going to prevent them from killig jews or forcing them into servitude?

what assurances can you give to the jews that they will be able to live in peace amongst muslems?

actually,what assurance can you give to the jews that they will be able to practice their religion and live freely under Islamic rule?

actually,what assurance can you give to the jews that they will be able to practice their religion and live freely under Islamic rule?

Jews and Christians were able to do so in Palestine for centuries. Who said anything about Islamic rule?

There are only two solutions to this problem. The first one will not work and, the second is doomed to failure. Hamas's hatred for Israel far exceeds it's concerns for the Palestinians or it's interest in peace and coexistence. Palestinian aid workers say that Israeli forces fired on them. How do they know that?, and why wouldn’t they say that. Any intellectual knows that Israel is deliberately targeting innocent civilians. Hamas, on the other hand, is careful to launch their rockets and mortars only at military targets. In war, there are no innocents, only casualties.

VOR: What I CAN convince them of is that the current path guarantees that Islamic fundamentalists continue their desire to kill/enslave Jews, if not make it worse. Hence my comments on how Israel is stupid if the think the current road will lead to peace. I can guarantee that if they gave back the lands they took in 1967 and stopped what they are doing now, things will be better. In the long run, hopefully even MORE can be worked out and finally peace achieved. As it is, the Islamic radicals are getting stronger and stronger with this. Don't know if there are 77 virgins or whatever it is waiting for all these dead Hamas/Palestinians, but I DO know they are being martyred for the cause.

Hamas and Hezbollah (backed by Syria and Iran) are really having a great time now, they can show the world how "evil" the Jewish state is, but I think after 9/11 they have to understand that the USA etc..will have to kill them in Gaza etc..via our allay Israel, wherever they are, and now Lebanese Hezbollah. Should we wait like the Indians in Mumbai? Just sit around and wait to be slaughterd like fat pigs by Muslim terrorists? Hell no! Israel is doing the right thing and never forget that EGYPT too hates Hamas, Egypt is also a strong US ally and that Gaza is too close for comfort to the Egyptians too.

In war, there are no innocents, only casualties.

This is not a war. This is one group murdering its prisoners. Gazans are prisoners, they do not control their borders, they can't leave freely, medicines, food, and fuel is prevented from entering. Those who try to help are attacked (they want the Palestinians to suffer). The Israelis are using missiles, jets, helicopters, tanks, white phosphorous, and other weapons.

Israeli behavior would not be tolerated if carried out by any other nation. Our indulgence of the repression exacted by Israel is why the radial Islamic movement exists in the first place. And our misguided MidEast policies are perpetuating it.

How many people have died in direct or down stream issues resulting from the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. We can see 911, Madrid, Mumbai and more and more places in addition to Gaza and the West Bank. This has to stop.

A secular Palestine is the only solution. Secular states have and will again exist in the region and have worked. So force a shared political situation in a new Palestine with a secular constitution that guarantees the rights of all citizens, faiths and political affiliations. Then enforce it as vigorously as we have backed Israel in the war and maybe we can see peace.

Just trying will help declaw the radical Islamic crowd. Because let's face it. The average Israeli and the average Palestinian have the same human objectives as most of us. That is, to live, work, care for loved ones, build for the future, improve life and opportunity and secure the safety and well being of their families and communities. Make these things possible and no radical will be able to recruit followers. And the few that do rise will not be supported by the people and will find it harder and harder to operate.

what is the fate of Israel if it is not able to defend itself against a dedicated bunch of jihadist that are hell bent on its destruction?

unless someone can reasonably explain how Jews will be protected from Muslems,denying Israels right to defend itself is the same as sanctioning murder.

VOR. What is the fate of Israel if they continue on the current path? How many more years of conflict?

You say why can't Israel defend itself. But many of us wonder why Palestine cannot defent itself from an oppressive invader? Both sides have very valid reasons to fight. And both have far more to gain from seeking a new pathway out of the fighting towards peace.

A secular multi-cultural constitutional government is required. Backed by boots on the ground for as long as it takes to be stable. And money input to assure prosperity and to motivate cooperation with the plan.

Islam co-exists with other faiths in many countries. It can work there too.

The alternative is war forever. With everyone defending, sooner or later there will be no one or nothing left alive to protect.

VOR, Why do you think Jews need special protection. Muslims,Christians, and Jews lived together peacefully in Palestine for centuries. The only Jews that would need any protection are the racist supremacists, who seem to be quite numerous in Israel.

How about a U.N. call for regime change in Gaza?

"How about a U.N. call for regime change in Gaza?"

Heh, you'e not advocating un-seating a democraticaly elected government are you, sarge?

Every time the Israelis drop a bomb, someone in America goes "Cha-CHING" like a cash register.

I have no idea why America would abstain on the cease-fire vote though. Wait a minute....

what assurances can you give to the jews that they will be able to live in peace amongst muslems?

What assurances can you give moderate Muslims that they will be able to live in peace among radical militant Jews????

actually,what assurance can you give to the jews that they will be able to practice their religion and live freely under Islamic rule?

Interesting you ask since so many Muslims are not living freely under Jewish rule. And you might note that freedom to practice the Jewish faith might mean destroying an entire people's like they did with Jericho because their God promised them that land.

This is hardly the one way street your posts seem to be calling it.

UN security council is impotent with Isreal. The reason is big brother is protecting & pampering the small brother. It is a double standard & biased. First Israel did air strike to UN school.

The latest news is UN truck driver for delivering aids was killed by Israel. UN suspended delivery of aids now. The truck had UN flag & UN symbols clearly displayed. The meaning was Isreal is not only fighing with Hamas. Red Cross, Humanitarian organizations & all UN member nations too. UN will always forgive Isreal even all of the staff have been killed.

Who said anything about Islamic rule?

Umm...Hamas...

You see, they probably have a bigger say in what kind of country they want than you do...strange as that reality might seem to you.

smithinjapan,

I would like to continue our discussion from yesterday. I still have trouble with your statements regarding rockets from Gaza. You mentioned that no Israelis had been killed by the rockets that fell until after Israel attacked Gaza. Do you somehow think they were aiming better after the attack. I am sure you don't. I am sure you understand that it is just blind fate when they hit something and the same blind fate when they don't. So, there was the chance that someone was going to get killed again.

Goodness. Hamas has sunk to a new low, using UN personnel as shields the way they do with their women and children.

I fear this will only serve to radicalize the non-Arab member nations on the UN Security Council.

Peace and war in ME :on again, off again; peace today war tommorrow,then peace and war again and again, never ending cycle and this time is no exception. Both Hamas and Israel want to sort thing out once and for all, but after waiting quite a few days UNSC decided to intervene... peace again,war again and so on it continues.

"Heh, you're not advocating un-seating a democraticaly elected government are you, sarge?"

Heh, you're not advocating keeping that terrorist organization in power, are you, madverts?

"Heh, you're not advocating un-seating a democraticaly elected government are you, sarge?"

When is Hamas' term up?

I would hate to have been one of those that didn't vote for them.

Who cares about history? The goal right now is a cease fire.

YangYong,

Please...you asked me to read Plan D. I did. I had read it a long time ago, however for your benefit I read it again and quoted it for you. It did not say what you suggested it did. You want to tell me which 'respected' authorities on Plan D I should read. Why is it you are unaware of other equally respected authorities on Plan D who respectfully disagree with the people you mentioned.

You speak of me being a 'layman' with regard to history. At least I actually know what is in the material I suggest others read. You just wanted me to read commentary you agree with neglecting contradictory commentary. Hardly well-balanced and not particularly honest either.

kinniku: "I am sure you understand that it is just blind fate when they hit something and the same blind fate when they don't."

I'm not hugely eager to continue yesterday's conversation, because it seems like that of the day before, and the day before that, etc. I don't mean specifically with you, but everyone on the board is saying more or less the same thing day in and day out. I still like to comment here and there, and of course during those times the more objective people on the board are always appreciated and make for some interesting talk.

In address to your question, maybe it was just dumb that the four people were hit AFTER Israel invaded; or perhaps they did aim a little more carefully than usual. Perhaps it was because the Jews new hostilities would create more aggression from Hamas and the people were hit while evacuating the areas under attack. I do believe that the rockets launched in the first two or three days of the aerial campaign were as much as if not more than usual, and if they were more than that certainly could be the cause.

The truth is, I don't know. But I DO know that those four died after Israel's attack began, and until it can be proven it was just dumb luck (or terrible luck for the Israelis) it cannot be discounted that these Israelis died because of their government's invasion. As for any troops that have died, that is certainly the case.

In any case, I believe the overall point of the question was in asking how many rockets/deaths it takes for Israel to retaliate, and what's the real purpose in numbers, etc. I still think, since they clearly stated their intentions are not to retake Gaza or to knock out Hamas, that what Israel is doing is beyond overkill in terms of reciprocity.

You now also have to add the plain murder of UN truck drivers and the shelling of a UN school (twice!).

smithinjapan,

I understand what you mean about repeating things over and over. I appreciate your response. I think that considering Hamas and Hezbollah send their rockets into civilian areas that it was blind fate that no one was killed before the invasion. However, I can see you find room for the possibility that they were just trying to scare the Israelis. We will just have to disagree about what a nation is expected to put up with when it comes to being shot at. You do certainly have a point about the deaths of soldiers after the invasion though. These are of course a direct result of the invasion.

Things do certainly seem to be getting out of hand. I am also concerned about the UN truck and the schools you mentioned.

Hopefully, a serious workable ceasefire which leads to something better for all concerned with come about quickly. Though...I doubt it. One or both sides will start up again.

"Who cares about history?"

Everyone in the Middle East, apparently. Both the Jews and the Muslims believe that strip of land by the Mediterranean Sea is their sacred land, and they kill each other over it. Incredible...

Sarge,

I wonder. If they had the chance, I think most average Palestinians and Israelis would rather live in peace than think about history. It is the extremists on both sides that get their people riled up about 'history'. This is the biggest stumbling block to peace.

UN Resolution or no Resolution doesnt really make any difference because Israel has never accepted any of them to date....they are a rule unto themselves. They will never allow Gaza to be free and for that reason Hamas keep sending over little reminders (rockets) of their suffering in the worlds biggest prison/concentration camp. The world must ensure that Gaza becomes "FREE"...FREE to control its borders...FREE to control is own airspace and FREE to control its seaspace. That means Israeli aircraft cannot fly over Gaza without Palestian clearance...can you imagine such a day when the Israelis have to ask instead of dictating? That will be the day when the Palestinians are free. Palestinians should not accept anything less than this which is their international right.

I am horrified that the Israeli Military is still firing white phospherous weapons on the people of Gaza. This is a war crime and the international community should stop this immediatly. Israel must stop this massacre and also the use of "Depleted Uranium" weapons.....Shame on you Israel!

Sometime in life you see images that just want to make you throw up.

kinniku: "Hopefully, a serious workable ceasefire which leads to something better for all concerned with come about quickly. Though...I doubt it. One or both sides will start up again."

I appreciate your comments also -- they seem to be amongst the more well thought out, though as you said we don't see eye-to-eye on a number of things.

I too am worried, particularly with what's going on -- or what COULD go on -- with Lebanon. I believe they knew full well what the launches were about the other day, and it was a show of support for Palestinians. I don't think they'll do much else, for now, but as outrage grows about Israel's actions, and in particular with the UN now pulling out, it almost seems as if people would be happy for other countries to join in the fray -- so long as they were fighting for the Palestinian cause... and if anyone thinks their 'cause' is not growing, they're fools.

I'm sorry to say, but I think the US bears some responsibility here. The UN's call for a cease-fire today was completely ignored by Israel, and the main reason in my opinion is because their main backers, the US, abstained from getting involved -- errr... from saying Israel has a part to play in the peace process. Israel, I also believe, took this as a signal they still have unwavering support from the current US government and can keep on shelling schools and shooting UN trucks, if they so please. There is no way they did not know what they were shooting at with the truck -- it was clearly labelled and on the way to the gates, which were to be opened for aid.

Kinniku - I agree.

Hamas mandate palestine and Kadima-Likud-Labour mandate israel are confronting each other here. Israel elections is 10-2-2009, it is very likely that any ruling party will get less than current 29 seats held by Kadima.

Israel citizens if they want less wars should elect more pacifist parties into knesset in 10-2-2008. Palestinian also should give mandate to pacifist parties,the last elections gave mandate to hamas with more seats,that is 74 seats.

Only 45 seats went to more pacifist fatah. There is 132 seats for palestine in elections 2006. Once mandate is given, palestinians will have to deal with mandate given. Just like in germany when mandate was given Hitler party in 1940s and so began a war that took 72 million over lives and which left many scars.

Political maturity is needed by citizens of both 2 ethnics ,palestinian arabs and european jewish people to bring more peace to their lands.

Things may change if pacifist parties and leaders are elected in future elections in palestine and israel.

Both palestinians and israelis need to give in to some loss of land, and property. With latest wars both sides also now have come to terms with loss of lives on both sides,which is a bigger loss than losing land.

Israelis and palestinian gazans must return to pacifist ways like in japan/germany to enjoy better quality of life like in japan/germany.

If peace comes to the region, which means end of any kind of war, the land and property prices will boom in palestine and israel. Any loss can be recovered from surge of prices and economic boom via many spiritual migrants and so forth.

This just a personal suggestion or opinion of mine.

"Israeli citizens if they want less wars should elect more pacifist parties"

If Israelis elect more pacifist parties, they may well find themselves driven into the Mediterrenean Sea.

If Israelis elect more pacifist parties, they may well find themselves driven into the Mediterrenean Sea.

That's how most of them entered Palestine 60 years ago.

"Palestine"

Explain!

@Sarge

Everyone in the Middle East, apparently. Both the Jews and the Muslims believe that strip of land by the Mediterranean Sea is their sacred land, and they kill each other over it. Incredible...

Well, it's more like the Israelis say it's their land now, and the Palestinians we wuz robbed!

What is Israeli army doing there? You have occupied that land and you have made settlements on occupied lands. UN has passed resulutions and asked Israel to give up occupation and oppression of Palastinains. Your activities on Palastinian land is occupation! You are not supposed to be occupying Gaza.

Israel is making Palastinain lives impossible and then complaining of rocket attacks when Israel have always been killing rock throwing kids with rocketrs to enforce the illegal occupation.

Israel knows too well what persecution is, why did not Israel learn lesson from it? Shame on you.

The world must ensure that Gaza becomes "FREE"...FREE to control its borders...FREE to control is own airspace and FREE to control its seaspace. ...Palestinians should not accept anything less than this which is their international right.

Hello sayonarahello! Good points; obvious yet usually overlooked. Many say that it is perfectly normal for Israel not to tolerate rockets fired by Hamas, and yet the Palestinians are expected to tolerate decades of Israel terrorism, land theft, murder, blockades, and being confined in overcrowded refugee camps.

Recent images are indeed sickening. I now better understand the mindset of Israel's supporters, truly sick people.

We often hear of Israel's right to exist, which is something that can certainly be debated. However, no nation has the obligation to exist. And my feeling now is that Israel does not deserve to exist. If we look at Israel's history, we can find many other events to further support this view. I am just fed up with these people, and with all those who support them.

It's doubtful this military assault on Gaza will weaken Palestinian support for Hamas. According to the logic of asymmetric warfare, if the militarily weaker party is still standing then it won, as was the case with Hezbollah in 2006.

Israel, however, could, alongside its miltary campaign, offer a carrot or two in the form of, say, dismantling a few West Bank settlements. They will have to be taken down anyway in any peace agreement, despite the construction frenzy over the past eight years, both residential and infrastructure.

This move would reward the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority, enabling it to make the case it can deliver a better future. Moreover, it would demonstrate to the world that Israel really has a vision for the future that offers the prospect of an end to this attack, respond with overhelming force, and more attacks pattern which we are witnessing.

Israel has no plans to make anything easier for Palestine. Israel has stolen land and wouild steal more if it got the chance.

I'm sure that the Israeli supporters are so happy to read the other JT article about the 38 Palestine deaths.

Israel can be so proud. < :-)

Rajakumar: Here's the thing... One of the possible reasons Israel is pressing so hard is to make the situation desperate enough that people are scared into voting the same people into power. It's happened in US politics again and again, and every time an election came up, the alert levels started suddenly rising, and the word 'terror! terror!' keeps coming up. This fight comes, not coincidentally, just before an election, with other Arab nations threatening to join in, and you can bet people are going to vote for the war hawks who lie about keeping them safe. Vote for pacifists after the warhawks have started a war and left them wide open? I think not.

Sabiwabi,

To understand why leaders make such claims, one must realize that much of the billions of dollars in aid given to Israel finds its way back to the donor country where it is used to bribe politicians.

I had read that a few times before, a long time ago, but I don't remember where. Do you have a link or something I could read up on, to confirm and learn the details.

Jack: "I had read that a few times before, a long time ago, but I don't remember where. Do you have a link or something I could read up on, to confirm and learn the details."

You really need links for this kind of thing?

You really need links for this kind of thing?

What? You don't believe it, or is it because its too obvious?

What always makes me shake my belief is those who never seem to ask, 'Hey, why DO those people behave the way they do? Do ya think they have a reason for it?'

Duh.

USA is supplying the Israeli's with weapons they are using and these weapons they are using are banned illegal by the International Community. It all comes down to the basic facts that Israel refuses to let go of the occupation. If they want peace all they have to do is just let go of the occupation.

Israeli forces are the occupation forces, Palestinian fighters are the resistance. the situation in Palestine is resistance and occupation, not as CNN tries to show it. There won't be rockets if there isn't occupation.

sayonarahello

USA is supplying the Israeli's with weapons they are using and these weapons they are using are banned illegal by the International Community.

I've been trying to pay close attention to what Israel is using, when it comes to banned weapontry. I was expecting cluster bombs by now, but after Lebanon they may not use them again.

What weapons are they using that are banned? < :-)

I think it is a joke to call for a cease fire (to many in the past been broken by Hamas).

And Israel has never broken a cease fire? Israel didn't attack Gaza in November 2008?

All worship Israel and all it's rights and protections paid for by the United States. < :-)

just as i thought, after a good night sleep, the pro Hamas people on this page (aka anti semites) still cannot answer very simple questions regarding the fate of the jews if Israel is dismantled or not permitted to protect itself. c'mon guys, you have made some bold suggestions and assertions, now start filling in those missing pieces.

We often hear of Israel's right to exist, which is something that can certainly be debated. However, no nation has the obligation to exist. And my feeling now is that Israel does not deserve to exist. If we look at Israel's history, we can find many other events to further support this view. I am just fed up with these people, and with all those who support them.

I'm really ashamed to say this, but a part of me wishes that Hitler had completed the job of the Final Solution.

What I am watching on my TV is a repeat of the Warsaw Uprising taken place under sunny skies....

Is there a demonstration in Tokyo against Israel's actions. I've googled everywhere, but can't find any?

VOR, you mean this question?

what is the fate of Israel if it is not able to defend itself against a dedicated bunch of jihadist that are hell bent on its destruction?

The question goes both ways, "what is the fate of Gaza if they are not able to defend themselves?

Gazans have been mistreated for decades. Yeah...yeah...yeah I know they have fired shots at each other, but Gaza is trying to keep their land, not trying to steal it away from somebody.

No matter how we feel, an agreement must be worked out between the three nations Egypt, Gaza and Israel. < :-)

just as i thought, after a good night sleep, the pro Hamas people on this page (aka anti semites) still cannot answer very simple questions regarding the fate of the jews if Israel is dismantled or not permitted to protect itself. c'mon guys, you have made some bold suggestions and assertions, now start filling in those missing pieces.

First of all, like a lot of posters, I'm not a Hamas supporter, they are as bad as the Israelis, if not worse than the Israelis, and the only limitation on their action is access to weaponry.

Second, I hope that if Israel doesn't exist, like it didn't before 1948 and a third of the people who lived in what is now the state of Israel and then was Palestine were jewish, can live in a multi racial/ multi religious state,

If they can't, and anyone who has lived in Israel knows what I mean, then they can use that secret passport that they have denied having and has remained hidden under their beds, to return to the country of their birth, USA UK and post=Soviet. Of course they have to take their 'Begin SS Youth' offspring, that have been born in Palestine/Israel, with them, but apart from the 'Ethiopian Jews' that shouldn't be a problem.

But hey maybe the Jaffa mentality of coexistence will overcome the Tel Aviv thinking of racial and religious superiority and everything will be hearsay, but i answered your question..

daydream: I'm sure that the Israeli supporters are so happy to read the other JT article about the 38 Palestine deaths.

I have to admit it does bring a smile to my face. ;)

(there, feel better now?)

As anyone can observe in this region that massacres like what's happening are adding to the overwhelming public support to the resistance ideology represented by Hamas. I'm quite certain that the Obama administration will try to kill the democtratic process and taht is shame as Hamas represents the people.

YuriOtani :

If they were able to take over and create their "Palestinian" state, their first action would be to kill all of the Jews. Perhaps the UN can help setting up camps. They can sub contract to specialists in Europe. They can then do what the rest of the Arab world has already done and kill Jews.

You rerally don't know anything about Jews, Arabs or Europeans etc... What makes you think this stupidity about Palestinians? I'm sure you never traveled in Arab countries. I travelled many Islamic countries ( Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Lybia, Turkey, Kenya) and they all have the Jewish, Christian communities living together in their society. It's really not a problem for them to live together peacefully. Only the extremists cause the problem, like in Algeria. Even if they don't have the same custom as you, it doesn't mean that they are evil. Actually the ordinary arab people are quite nice and they laugh, cry and get angry like anyone in the world. Don't forget that they ar the humans as well.

You have a very simplistic vision of the world.

thousands of Palestinians in Gaza increasingly desperate for food, water, fuel and medical assistance

Hamas was voted into power three years ago. Perhaps this would be a good time to ask the "Palestinians" the question - are you better off than you were three years ago?

the Islamic militant group “is not interested” in the cease-fire because ...the resolution did not meet its minimum demands.

Which are the destruction of Israel and the eradication of the Infidel from the Middle East.

USA is supplying the Israeli's with weapons

Can you show some proof of this?

We sell them our weapons, but it's Israel pulling the trigger.

You know what, I'd like to believe peace would one day happen within my lifetime in Israel and Palestine, much like how we got Barack Obama as president, but it won't.

Thousands of years of conflict in that region, and racial bigotry and religion used to excuse atrocities has poisoned that section of the world to make people kill each other and forget they're human.

I say after so many years of telling them to get along with each other I say enough is enough.

What always makes me shake my belief is those who never seem to ask, 'Hey, why DO those people behave the way they do? Do ya think they have a reason for it?'

Duh.

I assume you meant 'shake my head in disbelief' as one would hope you don't mean shake your beliefs...

Anyway, what always makes me shake my head in disbelief is people who only want to see only one side of this issue and refuse to acknowledge the other side. This goes for people on both or all sides of the subject. It is quite easy to cherry-pick those 'facts' or opinions that only support your own view while completely ignoring all things that show a different side.

That is why real and serious negotiations have failed because of a true desire to work together to find peace.

YangYong,

Sorry, the quote function misfunctioned. The 'duh' is your writing, not mine...

What always makes me shake my belief is those who never seem to ask, 'Hey, why DO those people behave the way they do? Do ya think they have a reason for it?'

I assume you meant 'shake my head in disbelief' as one would hope you don't mean shake your beliefs...

Anyway, what always makes me shake my head in disbelief is people who only want to see only one side of this issue and refuse to acknowledge the other side. This goes for people on both or all sides of the subject. It is quite easy to cherry-pick those 'facts' or opinions that only support your own view while completely ignoring all things that show a different side.

That is why real and serious negotiations have failed because of a true desire to work together to find peace.

the pro Hamas people on this page (aka anti semites)

For your information, the Palestinians (and Hamas) are Semites. The great majority of Israelis are not Semites.

We sell them our weapons, but it's Israel pulling the trigger.

The US (and others) sell weapons to Israel knowing full well what they will use them for. The US also provides vetos against UNSC resolutions, and they provide the generous financial incentives to encourage Jews from all over the world to settle in Palestine (AKA Israel).

the pro Hamas people on this page (aka anti semites) still cannot answer very simple questions regarding the fate of the jews if Israel is dismantled or not permitted to protect itself.

I am so God awful sick of this bullcrap blanket accusation! If there are pro-Hamas people and/or any anti-semites on this page they must amount to less than you can count on one hand. Name them.

I take neither side, and if all the men on both sides who have ever picked up arms against the other mysteriously disappeared tomorrow, I would not morn their loss.

Meanwhile, you are also free to identify yourself. Are you pro-Israeli?

loltehinterwebs: Can you show some proof of this?

Are you actually going to dispute this? This is not some odd fact that is diffcult to Google. Come on!

About the only possible hiccup you might experience is the simple fact that what Israel usually gets is foreign aid specificially set asside for military purchases, which Israel then uses to buy American and other country's weapons.

The only difference between that and just giving them the weapons is that U.S. arms makers get American tax money. Aside from that ugly suspicious reality, its the same as giving them weapons.

If I am allowed to pick a fault with Israel for a minute.

On occasion they seem to get trigger happy. Is it a fault in communications? Individual aberrations?

Sure the soldiers have to harden their hearts againt others' opinions so they can get their job done. But in many cases over the years they have overstepped the mark and done unthinkable things by world standards. (Shooting foreign journalists, members of the UN, medical crews, etc.) Do some of them feel invulnerable, that their actions will be unaccountable, or pardonable in the surrounding atmosphere? It smacks of arrogance, and causes deep anger...

A general numbness is now spreading around the world towards the latest casualties. Can we no longer be outraged? Is this factored into pre-war planning, I wonder?