Israel Warns Hamas of Gaza Strip Invasion After Rocket Attacks

by Tina Kells | December 25, 2008 at 05:16 pm

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Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appeared on Arab television warning militants in the Gaza Strip to stop launching rocket attacks on Israel from the disputed region. Olmert issued a dire final warning that should the attacks continue Israel would be forced to retaliate.

On December 24, 80 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel and Olmert has stepped forward to announce that the attacks will not be tolerated. In response Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak asked Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to intervene to stop any military retaliation by Israel. Livini politely refused to intervene.

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As Israel's army finished up plans to mount a large military operation into Gaza, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert took the rare step of appearing on Arabic television to ask that the Gazan militants stand down.

"I am telling them now, it may be the last minute, I'm telling them stop it. We are stronger," Olmert told satellite channel al-Arabiya.

While the intense barrage of salvos fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel decreased on Thursday, Israel said that even a small number rockets is unacceptable. On Wednesday, about 80 rockets were fired, but so far, there have been no serious reports of injuries.

The rocket fire and corresponding political rhetoric shatters a seven-month old ceasefire, which expires on Friday and was brokered by the Egyptian government.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni shrugged off a request from Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak to back away from possible military action.

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Paschen

at 17:29 on December 25th, 2008

This will end up in a blood bath for both and neither will be left to claim victory. Both are making sure that neither will be able to go on. It is to late for either and the International community has failed them both. Palestine and Israel should have been forced into a Federation 40 Years ago all ready. The hate is so deep by now that only a new people from outside will be able to live in peace in that part of the World. Israeli and Palestinian have forsaken their last chance and the World at large is responsible for having let This injustice and Apartheid go on for so long.

tikun

at 04:25 on December 26th, 2008

Hi Paschen,

You said,"Israel should have been forced into a Federation 40 Years ago all ready. The hate is so deep by now that only a new people from outside will be able to live in peace in that part of the World. Israeli and Palestinian have forsaken their last chance and the World at large is responsible for having let This injustice and Apartheid go on for so long."

Just a few insights from actually one who lives here. The "hate" you attribute is truly not a heart felt emotion in Israel. Few HATE the Palestinians. In fact, polls indicate that if the Palestinian leadership would be willing to live side by side with Israel then a solution is possible. That is the truth and the fact. But not the reality.

There currently will never be a settlement until there is a real willingness to accept Israel as part of the region. Until TV in Gaza and until recently in the West Bank stops children programs that show JEWS not Israelis killing and maiming little children and it stops using cartoon characters that praise suicide bombings nothing will change.

Also, I find it a bit unnerving that only Israel's existence is ever at question when difficulty arises in the Middle East. I would never for an instance question any other country's right to exist even though they too were forged by the approval or manipulation from outside forces. I think it high time that we mature and accept Israel as a State for good or bad, and focus on the way in which to solve the issue of wanting to destroy it or undermine her right to be here.

I also, would like to direct every ones focus toward an important book that is on the NY Times bestseller list, "Power, Faith and Fantasy" America in the Middle Eat, 1776 to the present by Michael B. Oren. Once you read first hand reports about the vast wasteland that is now Israel and how many Jews lived here for how long I think that your mindset as to the reality about Jews and their right to be living here will at least subside some of the misinformation that currently is part of the public spin on the truth. The fact is that the terrorist groups here have understood very clearly and have learned well from the Nazi propaganda machine that if you tell a lie often enough it will usually become the reality. Arafat was a brilliant expert at just that.

The lament that Israel shouldn't exist is truly an insult to almost half of the entire Jewish population in the world. I would never suggest that any other peoples should abandon their homeland because they brutally killed and enslaved others in the process. Today we make amends if possible but we do not advocate eliminating the State. Sorry but that is unacceptable and not part of the legitmate debate.

Shalom and Happy Holidays

Steve

Raghallch (not verified)

at 06:21 on January 6th, 2009

Tikun,

I agree with you whole-heartedly. There is not another country in the world that would show as much restraint as Israel has if someone were firing missles and rockets across their borders on a continuous manner. Israel has held back and tried to allow "peace talks" and "cease fires" to work when it was patently obvious that Hamas was not about to honor them in any way. When the Palestinian people in Gaza elected a Terrorist group to power, they became culpable for anything that the group might do, including the continuous bombardment of Israel. While it saddens me that civilians, especially children are and may die, the Palestinian people made their choice. They could have used their time trying to round up the terrorists and putting an end to the rocket fire, but they didn't. The mere fact that Israel actually waited six months this time to retaliate is proof that they were not the initial aggressors and had tried to let the "world in general" through the UN, that useless and impotent organization, get Hamas to abide by the truce and cease fire. If all anyone else will do is pass resolutions and condemn through writing, while the rockets and other weapons keep flowing into Gaza from outside sources, then Israel has a Perfect Right to defend itself. Again, not a single other country in the world would allow that kind of bombardment for even one day without retaliation. I think Israel and it's leaders have acted honorably and with the greatest amount of patience to the situation. An anyone who believes that Hamas would stand a true chance against the might of Israel's military is delusional. Having worked with members of Israels military in the past, I have seen their high level of training and readiness, their skill with their weapons and unarmed as well as some of their weapon systems in action. It is my belief that there is not a single country in that part of the world that could stand up to Israel militarily if Israel had the desire to fight them.

I am saddened by the condemnation of Israel by the "world in general", because it is the sovereign right of any country to defend itself from assault. That is what Israel is doing. If some civilians die in the action, it is sad, but they were the ones who approved of their "government" so they are culpable for the situation getting as bad as it has.

I wish you luck in the resolution of this difficulty and hope that it can be done with as little bloodshed as possible. I also applaud Israel for going on Gazan TV and telling the Gazan people that if they turned over the Hamas members, this invasion could come to a quick end. It is unlikely to happen, but I still aplaud Israels honorable efforts to minimize bloodshed.

David

dunkelberg

at 18:28 on December 25th, 2008

Those who could have brought peace have turned their backs on Gaza.

SOLARLIFE

at 02:35 on December 26th, 2008

Merry Christmas Tina, sad article, I vote no war at christmas.

Milieunet

at 04:24 on December 26th, 2008

STOP KILLING, STOP SHOOTING

Amaad

at 05:55 on December 26th, 2008

As the children of God (as Jews call them selves). Israel should accept the existence of Palestine and stop bulldozing their homes and expanding its own boundaries.
Whatever Israel has been doing for decades can only look like the acts of children of devil than God. It is really shocking when people completely overlook and ignore the atrocities committed by the Israeli forces on the Palestinian people.
Having said that.. Palestine’s didn’t help them either. Attacking Israeli citizens in shops and restaurants and firing rockets at their homes is completely unjustified. What they need to understand is Israel is a reality and its people have the right to exist.
The only and only solution is these two parties bring up the courage to accept each other and respect the mutual and peaceful existence without any force. If Israel leaves the occupied territories taken recently that don’t form the part of official Israeli boundaries and helps Palestinians rebuild them and Palestinians provide the manpower this might just work.
Both Arabs and the west are using Palestinian and Israel for their proxy wars. I have no respect for any other Arabian state in the region they don’t waste the time showing the suffering of Palestinians but then don’t spare any expense making 7 star hotels and artificial beaches and making air conditioned bridges.
Just for a moment think and understand that Palestinians have genuine grievances. Their homes and livelihoods taken away and the continuous embargoes and humiliations on check points don’t help to resolve the issues. On other Hand Israeli government has the responsibility of protecting its people it can’t just watch rockets flying in on homes.
I and you in the comfort of our homes with our drinks next to our computers can just comment here and then we get on with our lives. But a Palestinian has to try to survive on daily bases.. with a worry about food, long queues on the check points and being hit by the precise air strikes by Israel and an Israeli has to worry about a rocket flying in from no where while he is at home or out shopping or at work.. The point I am making is we just can’t appreciate the first hand day to day experiences of these people.
The world has failed Israel and Palestinians.. All I can hope and pray is that they themselves stand up and say we have had enough no more fighting. And work for mutual peace.
I know I am dreaming... but I am hopeful.. You know why? I saw an advert and it was in Hebrew I saw it on TV some time ago. It brought tears in my eyes I tried to find it on internet but couldn’t find it.. It goes like this..”An Israeli soldier is pointing his gun at a Palestinians youth who has a stone in his hand and is ready to hit the soldier.. The .. The voice of the soldier is muted but he is seen shouting at the boy with gun pointed.. As if saying don’t do it.. Don’t do it… put down the stone.. The camera goes back to the boy with his face full of determination he is seen throwing the stone in the direction of the soldier.. The back ground music which was a low beat and depressing suddenly stops.. the camera closes down toward the soldiers gun and a shot is fired and empty shell hits the ground… there is a pause and complete silence… then the camera closes on the face of Israeli Soldier and he is shouting again.. (What is that , I wonder) then the camera moves away from the soldier towards the boy.. And guess what he is standing and getting ready to throw the stone again .. a soft , pleasant and party music start playing as the boy throws the stone in the air and the solider shoots it in the air and asks the boy to do it again.. Then there is a voice over in Hebrew..What I understood from the advert was that there was a wish and hopes to turn something good out of all doom and gloom. I was moved and had tears and asked my self Oh God is it going to happen? There is hope of course Israelis despite their all might, power and money are thinking kindly of Palestinians although they have no obligation to do so but still they are.. Please God make it happen, bring peace between them in my life time.
Amen

riverScrap.com (not verified)

at 14:47 on December 26th, 2008

It's hard to ever see the Middle East crisis being resolved while both sides continue to insult each other and drone on and on about the same moronic issues. If only God could sit all Palestinians and Israelis down and say the following...

1. Palestine: Stop f*cking firing missiles at Israel. It's pointless anyway because they're low-tech and always miss. All you achieve is making yourselves look like indiscriminate, murderous barbarians.

2. Israel: Stop f*cking reacting with apocalyptically disproportionate strength. For every Israeli killed by a missile, you slaughter 100 Palestinians. Quit acting like an Arab's life is worse less than a Jew's - that's why all your neighbours hate you.

3. Now go share Jerusalem and stop arguing.

Just a thought...

M, riverScrap.com