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Commentary;
The necessity of an operation like Cast Lead, now in its 7th day, came about through Israel’s misguided sense of morality: “merciful to the cruel, cruel to the merciful” which distinguishes an enemy’s “civilian population” from the operatives which hide, move about, launch rocket, mortar and sniper attacks from within the protection of “civilian human shields.” These “civilian human shields.” who by permitting and enabling missile launching and sniping operatives to use them, have established themselves as strategic weapons of warfare and thus constitute an integral part of an enemy military force. Cast Shield also came about as result of allowance of “Humanitarian Shipments” covering for weapons and ammunition deliveries as well as from past toleration of immense numbers of smuggling tunnels and from free passage of weaponry through an open crossing between Egypt and Gaza. All the while, the range of the smuggled-in, Chinese-made Grad – Katyusha rockets is a mere 7 km from Beit Shemesh.
Therefore, contrary to recent polls indicating that Barak’s Labor party shows new signs of life as a result of the war and Kadima steady poll position, the Troika of Olmert, Barak and Livni should be subject to an Investigative Tribunal for apparent dereliction of national duty and governance regarding their toleration of the above regardless of the outcome of this operation. MB
Report: Hamas Has Underground Launchers [Built During 6-Month Ceasefire with Cement From “Humanitarian Shipments,” Connected to Bunkers, Weapons Storehouses, Training Camps]
Israel to Allow 72 Trucks Carrying Humanitarian Aid into Gaza Friday
New Details Revealed About IAF Operations Against Hamas, by Yaakov Katz (Jerusalem Post)
Iranian Daily: Hamas Hiding Forces in Nurseries and Hospitals (Palestinian Media Watch)
Grad Lands in Ofakim Area; No Injuries
4 [Grad] Rockets Hit Ashkelon Area, 2 Strike Sderot; No Word on Casualties
Air Force Hits Launchers that Hit Ashkelon
Two More Kassams Land Outside Sderot
Three Lightly Wounded in Early Morning [10] Rocket Barrage
Summary of Overnight Events (IDF Spokesperson)
[Jabalya] Mosque Used as Launching Pad Hit
IDF Strikes Second Hamas Leader [Nabil Abu el-Amrin], by Maayana Miskin (Israel National News)
Strikes: 15 Hamas Heads Homeless; 12 Casualties
IDF Soldier Thwarts Stabbing Attack at Tarkumia Checkpoint