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Commentary;
Israel has apparently launched a major operation, dubbed “Cast Lead”, against terror in Gaza. President Shimon Peres has announced that “measures will not include invasion” but Defense Minister Ehud Barak notes; “it won’t be easy and it won’t be short.” Over 200 were killed and over 300 wounded in today’s initial strikes targeting numerous Hamas locations as well as weapons and ammo storage areas.
“Israeli-Arabs” have reacted with rioting and, in one case, an Arab attempted to run-down an Israel polliceman in Jerusalem.
The president of the European Union decried the “disproportionate use of force” in the operation which is targeting terrorists and in response to the hundreds of rockets, mortars raining down on Southern Israel and the tens of thousands of rockets in Gaza with Range over 40 kilometers poised to strike Israel’s large southern population centers. MB
One Killed as [At Least 50] Kassams Rain on Negev, by Yaakov Katz (Jerusalem Post)
Barak: We’ll Deepen and Widen Operation as Much as Needed
Barak: It Won’t be Easy, it Won’t be Short, by Attila Somfalvi (Ynet)
Excerpt;
“Israel will take all steps demanded of it in order to stop the rocket fire,” Peres told the paper just hours before the operation began. “We will not go into Gaza. There are other ways – we didn’t leave Gaza in order go back.”
“The presidency of the European Union….expresses its deepest sympathy to the families and friends of victims.
It condemns the Israeli bombardment and the firing of rockets from Gaza. She asked their immediate cessation. It condemns the disproportionate use of force.”
“Cast Lead” Operation Against Terror Infrastructure in the Gaza Strip Continues (IDF Spokesperson’s Office)
‘All Police HQs in Gaza Destroyed’ [Over 200 Reported Killed, More Than 310 Wounded]
Israeli Arabs Foment Over IAF Gaza Op
Arab Tries to Run Over Israeli Policeman in Jerusalem
Two Kassam Rockets Strike Ashkelon; No Wounded, Damage Reported
Kassam Rocket Strikes Open Area Near Netivot; No Wounded Reported
Kassam Hits Kibbutz Building in Sha’ar Hanegev Region; No Casualties
[Terror “Work Accident”] Misfired Palestinian Projectiles Kill Two Young Palestinian Girls