Liveblogging the Conflict: Sat/Sun Feb 29-Mar 1

The IDF launched it’s Gaza military operation last night, with 2 IDF soldiers killed and 5 wounded until now. The fighting has been fierce, with IDF soldiers being met with heavy gunfire from palestinian gunmen (mainly from Hamas), who used rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank missiles against the troops. IAF planes have been providing air support for the troops, launching missiles at the terrorists during the fighting. One soldier was killed when a terrorist threw an explosive device towards him, and the second soldier was killed during a gun battle.

43-47 palestinians have reportedly also been killed, which, according to palestinian sources, includes civilians. According to Ynetnews, most of the terrorists killed were from Hamas, but also included members of Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees. It is truly a united effort to bring Israel to her knees.

As usual, I am finding it difficult to find a consistent number of palestinian civilians killed. From the Israeli news sites, Ha’aretz reports 10 civilians, Ynetnews 12 (based on a lower figure of 43 palestinians killed), and JPost 16. From the palestinian sites, Ramattan reports 45 dead, the majority of which were civilians. While I do not doubt civilians have been killed, remember we are at war here. Also remember the Hamas quote I blogged yesterday:

“We will not play into Israel’s hands. If and when the operation is launched, we will combat it with no more than 20 percent of our manpower. The remaining 80 percent will wait for the Israelis inside Palestinian territory to fight under the conditions that we are familiar with and to show that are forces are still there..”

The terrorists are operating within civilian areas, many times with the actual assistance of these civilians, and more often than not with their tacit approval. Brace yourselves for the palestinian propaganda offensive going into overdrive, including stories about civilian deaths, many of which may not be true. Here is an example:

Earlier Friday night, the Palestinians reported of four people killed in IDF strikes in the Strip, including a one-year-old baby. However, there were conflicting versions over the circumstances of the child’s death.

At first, the Palestinians accused the IDF of attacking the baby’s house, but later reported that the house was hit by a stray rocket fired by the Palestinians from within Gaza.

Also brace yourselves for “Israel-Nazi” comparisons. Already today, both PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshal have compared Israel’s defending herself to the holocaust. In fact, Abbas said our military campaign is “is more than a Holocaust,” which disappoints me since he is somewhat of an expert on the subject.

Meanwhile, another 5 Israelis were wounded in two separate strikes on Ashkelon, with terrorists launching approximately 50 rockets at southern Israel over the course of the day.

Don’t make any mistake about it. We are at war (and have been for a while now).

I will, as usual, endeavor to liveblog the conflict as it ensues.

Updates (Israel time)

Saturday Mar 1st

8:13PM: Bullseye! The IAF has reportedly struck a truck transporting 160 Qassam rockets and several gunmen. That is potentially a lot of lives saved right there.

8:23PM: From the Department of Extreme Chutzpah: The PA announced it was halting peace talks with Israel over our Gaza operation. Because defending yourself from terrorists is apparently not good for peace.

8:26PM: The soldiers killed today were Sergeant Doron Asulin, 20, from Beersheba, and Sergeant Eran Dan-Gur, 20, from Jerusalem.

8:52PM: More from infolive.tv. Pay special attention when palestinian propaganda expert Saeb Erekat is speaking and count the number of empty catchphrases and cliches coming out of his mouth, including “This will add to the complexities”, “This will add fuel to the fire,” and “cycle of violence.”

9:14PM: 2 more Qassams have been fired at Israel.

9:27PM: It’s good to see Mr Bean is working for the other side: Militant lightly hurt by own pipe bomb he planned to throw at IDF in W. Bank.

9:35PM: Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that IDF operations in Gaza must continue in order to drive terrorists launching Qassams into Israel deeper into the central Gaza Strip, as well as destroy rocket productions labs.

I’m guessing we are planning to be there for a while.

9:40PM: According to palestinian sources, we killed the bodyguard of Mahmoud al-Zahar. Now if we could only remove that hideous wart. Not to mention the evil creature attached to it.

9:50PM: According to Arutz Sheva, the IDF is investigating a report of shooting coming from the Arab village of Beit Jala, near the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo.

10:48PM: More on the pipebomb klutz (9:27PM update):

A gunman who had attempted Saturday to throw a pipe bomb at an IDF post near the West Bank town of Bethlehem, ultimately ended up having the device blow up in his hand.

The militant, who was lightly injured, was arrested by IDF troops and was transferred for treatment at a local hospital. He will later be sent to security personnel for questioning.

10:52PM: The fallen soldiers Sergeant Doron Asulin, 20, from Beersheba, and Sergeant Eran Dan-Gur, 20, from Jerusalem:

fallen-soldiers.jpg

11:00PM: Welcome back to the French of old.

11:10PM: As I predicted above, the palestinians are going into propaganda overdrive.

Palestinian security officials reacted to the IDF’s Saturday attack on the Rafah Border Crossing and stated that “this is the height of the IDF’s moral bankruptcy. The IDF realized it cannot win the battle against Palestinian operatives, so it is now targeting civilians and civilian infrastructures.”

So I’ll again bring out the Hamas quote from yesterday to remind you all that this is not a matter of Israel targeting civilians, but rather the terrorists deliberately operating from within civilian areas:

“We will not play into Israel’s hands. If and when the operation is launched, we will combat it with no more than 20 percent of our manpower. The remaining 80 percent will wait for the Israelis inside Palestinian territory to fight under the conditions that we are familiar with and to show that are forces are still there..”

11:42PM: Ha’aretz reports that the Gaza death toll is now 61, with 31 of them confirmed terrorists. Meanwhile, Hamas has tried to claim the number of dead “militants” is much lower.

Sunday Mar 2nd

12:12AM: Russia has called for a UN Security Council emergency session on the situation for 7pm, CET (2am GMT).

6:40AM: Since the last update, the IAF struck the Gaza headquarters of Hamas terrorist/palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned what he described as Israel’s “excessive and disproportionate” use of force in the Gaza Strip, as well as the palestinian rocket attacks against southern Israel that triggered our military action in the first place.

8:26AM: We have struck 3 arms caches, as well as 2 two weapon factories, in northern and southern Gaza, as well as shooting another terrorist.

8:32AM: Ha’aretz reports that a Qassam rocket struck the grave of Moroccan Jewish sage Baba Sali in Netivot.

8:45AM: More palestinian propaganda, with the assistance of AFP:

baby-holding.jpg

Tiny victim : A Palestinian medical worker rushes a baby into the hospital in Gaza City. (AFP/Said Khatib)

Not much of a caption. Brief and to the (painful) point.

But look at the picture again. Would someone really rushing a baby into hospital hold the baby up in that position?

All that’s missing from the picture is the Green Helmet.

9:42AM: Here is the Statement by Israel Ambassador Daniel Carmon to the emergency meeting of the UN Security Council yesterday:

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General,

Two days ago, and as a matter of fact a few minutes ago in his briefing, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned Hamas’ rocket fire against Israel, and called on Hamas and other terrorist and militant groups to cease all acts of violence and terrorism. He also called on Israel to exercise maximum restraint.

Mr. President, Israel has exercised that restraint for many months now. This has been in spite of the constant firing of rockets and mortar shells on our towns and villages in southern Israel, every single hour, every single day. And this is in spite of Hamas’ attempt to carry out terrorist attacks wherever they can target and kill an Israeli.

While Israel has been showing restraint, Hamas has showed no intention of ceasing its vicious attacks. On the contrary. In the past week, since Hamas failed to organize a provocative demonstration in Gaza – a failure that might be seen as a weakness – it has dramatically escalated its rocket attacks and upgraded its capabilities against our people. Grad missiles. Qatyusha rockets. Mortar shells. And Qassams. Since Wednesday, more than 150 rockets were fired at Israel, dozens in the past 24 hours alone.

As I speak to you now, more than a quarter of a million Israeli citizens are in the range of the deadly and murderous weapons of Hamas, care of Hamas, of its backers in the region and their malicious vision.

The Government of Israel should thus not apologize for protecting its citizens.

Mr. President,

We have addressed this situation for a very long time. The Members of the Council can see the many letters we have sent, this week alone, expressing our alarm and concern with Hamas’ attacks and reiterating our determination to protect our people. This is our right. This is the right of all States to act in self defense, in accordance with article 51 of the United Nations Charter. This is our duty. This is our obligation to our people.

I ask the Members of the Security Council, wouldn’t it be yours too?

No responsible Member State would sit back in silence and do nothing as its citizens and territory are under constant attack. They would not be idle as the alarms in Sderot – and now Ashkelon – blare “Colour Red, Colour Red”, giving Israeli civilians less than 15 seconds – 15 seconds of terror – that’s all it takes, before the rocket slams into their lives, their homes, hospitals, kindergartens, schools, and playgrounds. And their lives are destroyed forever.

There is only one way to describe the activity of Hamas against Israel – it is plain and blunt terrorism. Hamas is a terrorist group backed by Member States of this world body, an organization that denies the very basic principles set by the international community: the cessation of hostilities, cessation of terrorist acts, recognition of Israel, and abiding by previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.

Hamas, Mr. President, not only seeks to kill Israelis; it has no concern for its own civilians. It fires rockets from populated civilian areas, using their civilians as human shields. This is a war crime – there is no other way to describe it – against both Israelis and Palestinians.

Mr. President,

We heard the term “war crimes” here today in this hall. May I suggest to the Palestinian observer to divert this term – or accusation – to the Hamas terrorist group, who brutally took over the Gaza Strip a few months ago in what the Palestinian Authority leadership itself calls a “coup”.

If they answer your phone, distinguished colleague, you can tell them something about “war crimes”, as well as much of what you told the Council this evening. The address is there: Hamas.

The Palestinians in Gaza are victims of Hamas’ regime of terror. It is not only Israelis. We are all being held hostage by Hamas, the real and only occupier in Gaza through its terror.

The situation is unacceptable – we do not accept it. We will continue with our fight against terrorism.

Mr. President,

There should be no doubt in our minds that Hamas’ true vision is the extermination of the State of Israel, and not to live peacefully side by side with us. It does not even seek to restore normalcy for the sake of the people of Gaza.

It is thus unfortunate that the Palestinian observer tonight, as has been the case in the past, does not recognize that Hamas’ bears sole responsibility for the violence. Once again, Hamas’ name, the word Hamas, was not mentioned even once in his address, and I think it says it all.

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General,

Hamas’ vision for the failure of the moderates is a vision shared by some States in the region, including Iran and Syria, who is sitting behind the scenes, orchestrating and supporting Hamas’ terrorism against Israel. They have done this in the past with other terrorist groups elsewhere in the region and around the world.

One must wonder about the timing of Hamas’ escalation of violence, and whether its purpose is to distract the international community’s attention today and this week.

Mr. President,

I reiterate Israel’s determination to protect its civilians and territory – cities, towns, and villages. It is what they expect from us, and it is what we must do for them.

Sitting on the sidelines will only embolden the extremists and convince them that they should not stop their violence, trying to derail the peace process is what the extremists want to do. Israel expects the international community – and the Members of the Security Council – to support us in our protection of our people.

Thank you.

12:12PM: Today’s Qassam tally stands at 10.

12:15PM: Some tough talking from Prime Minister Olmert:

“Let me be clear, Israel has no intention of stopping the fight against terror for even a second, and we will act according to the blueprint set by the government at a time and intensity of our choosing, in order to strike the terror organizations and those who provide them with cover and the ability to operate…I hear criticism and claims that civilians are being hurt and that Israel is using too much force. Israel is defending its residents in the south, and with all due respect, nothing will prevent it from protecting them – and no one has the right to preach to us about rights when we are acting in self defense.”

12:25PM: This morning, there were reports of east Jerusalem vendors in the Old City declaring a partial vendor’s strike, in protest against our operations in Gaza. It now turns out that 4 four east Jerusalem residents may have been trying to force these Arab shop owners to close their stores.

Exactly the same thing happened in January, with 4 Arab residents of Jerusalem suspected of threatening east Jerusalem shopkeepers to take part in a solidarity strike in support of the palestinians in Gaza.

I wonder if they are the same 4 arrested today.

12:48PM: The EU says “FU” to Israel.

Right back at ya.

1:05PM: Today’s tally: At least 18 Qassams, 4 people injured, and 12 treated for shock.

1:20PM: IDF Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Dan Harel, has stated that “Gaza terror groups have lost dozens of combatants and their infrastructure was severely damaged.”

1:23PM: Today’s Israel-Nazi comparison is brought to you by US allies Saudi Arabia.

2:20PM: The IAF has struck a terrorist cell at the Jabalyia refugee camp in northern Gaza City.

4:00PM: Now it’s the Pope’s turn to demonstrate his moral bankruptcy.

4:11PM: The Al-Quds Brigades of Islamic Jihad is claiming to have the limbs of Israeli soldiers (hat tip: Elder of Ziyon).

4:22PM: Arutz Sheva reports that Israel has allowed thousands of units of blood and other medical supplies, as well as basic food items, to be brought through the Sufa crossing to Gaza, despite ongoing rocket attacks on Israel.

4:25PM: Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has asked Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann to examine whether the IDF can target populated areas from which Qassam rockets are being fired at the western Negev, according to international law.

5:45PM: Since my last update, a grad rocket hit Ashkelon, and 4 IDF troops were lightly wounded in Gaza.

8:22PM: In the past few hours, Kassam and Katusha rockets have struck the western Negev, with one rocket slamming into a house in Ashkelon, lightly wounding a woman who had been hiding with her two children, 2 Katushas landing in the city, 3 Qassams hitting open areas, and one landing near a public swimming pool in a Kibbutz.

Today’s tally so far: 32 rockets.

10:46PM: From the Ha’aretz news ticker:

Israel buys new supply of pills to protect civilians from nuclear radiation

42 thoughts on “Liveblogging the Conflict: Sat/Sun Feb 29-Mar 1”

  1. You are right Dave. We are at war. I only hope the leadership of Israel understands the importance of winning. There is no point to invading Gaza unless they are willing to take the battle to its conclusion.
    After the Passover massacre I remember thinking that certainly the world could not blame Israel for re-occupying the West Bank. But I was wrong. Even something as concrete as rocket attacks on a major city is not enough for Europe and the international press to understand what is happening and what is at stake, not only for us, but ultimately for them as well. We are and always have been the canaries in the mine.

    Stan

  2. “Now if we could only remove that hideous wart. Not to mention the evil creature attached to it.”

    I almost fell out of my chair. Thanks.

  3. From my side of the pond this looks more like a polio epidemic than a war. With the tragedy also involving polio viruses which makes the analogy ludicrous.
    But still, the world is making a mistake we should think we will win a wwar we should think we will wash our hands and reduce the mortality rate as much as we can until a vaccine is found.

  4. What exactly is a “Staff Sergeant. Maj.”?
    A Staff Sergeant? A Sergeant Major?
    Since both these lads were 20 I find it hard to believe it means the latter.

  5. Everyone living in Gaza is a combatant and should be treated as such. They are the ones who strapped bombs on women and youths. The range of the Qassam rockets should be used as a yard stick for how far into Gaza the IDF should bulldoze everything flat. Make a nice wide DMZ, even if the west boundary is in the sea. Israel has nothing to lose in the eyes of “world opinion”, so go for it.

  6. Best of luck to all Israeli forces.

    Greetings from the US. I hope you should know that a lot of people have lost sympathy for the palis in the last couple years as awareness of the daily rocket attacks has spread and also with publicity about the terrorist indoctrination children’s shows. I think it opened a lot of eyes and the propaganda attempts, despite media sympathy, will mostly fail this time.

    Screw Europe, their opinion doesn’t matter anyway.

    I hope you slaughter thousands of the bastards, especially the leadership.

  7. Hmmm, UN Security Council update–now I want to see what the US says, if we don’t unequivocally stand up for Israel’s long restrained and delayed response to such relentless rocket attacks, and after having withdrawn from Gaza, I can’t imagine when the U.S. would ever stand up for Israel. Thanks Dave for the liveblogging.

  8. Jeffrey Nihart

    Who cares what the UN has to say?
    Israel should have walked of out of the UN long ago.

    ER states: “I can’t imagine when the U.S. would ever stand up for Israel.”

    Dude, where do you get your news?
    CNN?
    MSM?
    The US has aways been standing up for Israel.

    The problem has always been the same problem.
    Israel can win the battles but lose still lose the war.
    The joke in America goes like this: “How do you get 30 Israelis into a pool?
    “Have the UN tell them to jump in!”

    Israel had a backbone, but lost it after the six day war.
    Israel has become too afraid of Political Correctness and are now, under the thumb of the Muslims, for waaaaaaaaaaay too long.

    Jeffrey Nihart

    Jeffrey Nihart

  9. Since we’re distracted by our elections–which could be won by someone very hostile to Israel–now is the moment, regardless of casualties. Now or never. It’s a terrible shame that you’re still saddled with Olmert at a time like this–I strongly urge you and all other realistic Israelis to agitate for a military putsch now if you hope to survive what is turning into a major regional war in slow motion. Of course that’s not my business. But whatever happens, the majority of Americans will support you.

    And if worst comes to worst, offer you a haven.

  10. once again, i read the news about another war starting in Israel and i find myself turning to the most reliable source for news in the area… thanks again for the great site…

    good speed to israel and keep your head down… good luck on behalf of all of us here in the states

  11. Hope speaks for me. A military putsch is an awful thing but perhaps you are at that point. You can give the country back to Olmert later.

    what was Sharon thinking when he anointed this guy?

  12. David Anfinrud

    Remember who it was that elected Hamas to Power in Gaza. Lots of Civilians wanted them in Power. So by voting in Hamas they are supporting Hamas. By my understanding If Hamas can send missiles into Israel Civilians allow it because they will not question Hamas tactics. SO my conclusion is that all Civilians are subject to be treated the same way as Hamas. It is their support of Hamas, Their Protests in the streets supporting Hamas. They must all be Hamas.
    Civilians will always be killed in a war. If the elected officials in Gaza attack Israel All of Gaza is to be blamed. If the people of Gaza would remove Hamas from power then they would not be targets. As long as they permit thier homes and neighborhoods to be used as areas to Attack Israel from. I have no pity for them. It was their choice. I would love to prevent Civilian casualties but not at the expense of Loss of life of Israel Soldiers.
    If Israel leadership would only announce that because of the weapons being shot at Israel by Hamas a state of war with Hamas exists. It will not end until Hamas is totally destroyed and can no longer attack Israel. IF the West Bank wants to Join the fight on the Side of Hamas they will also have to pay the same price.
    This will not happen and if it did. The UN would condemn ISrael. ANd blame them. The PR tact ISrael should be using is this is a war. We are attacked and the gloves are removed. Gaza put Hamas in Power. We are sorry for the Civilian losses but because a state of war exists due to their actions. The people of Gaza have one of two choices. Support Hamas and face Military action by Israel or remove Hamas from power. To the rest of the world stating that Israel will not accept any attack by any government on their soil. War is not wanted but our Civilians do not need to have missiles shot at them. Our population has the right to exist. As long as there are those that will not support our right to exist. WHy should we support their rights. Has Not Hamas stated that they want to kill every Jew in Isreal and drive them into the Sea. This is unacceptable to Israel. We have rights though the world appears that they want Isreal to be driven into the sea. By their support of terrorists and Governments that would shoot missiles at Civilian targets and say we have to ignore the attacks. We are weakened as a nation. No longer will Israel take this type of attacks. Those countries that support these terrorists such as Syria and Iran must either stop these attacks by their groups or be held to the same standard as being at war with Israel.
    US should have a heads up on the issue but inform Washington Diplomacy is now dead. Until those rockets stop falling on our soil no Diplomacy is needed for peace talks. Because there can be no peace until these types of actions cease. That the Goverment of Gaza has made no attempts to stop these attacks therefore they are at fault. Actions speak louder than words spoken with a lying tongue. We will continue to target all LEadership of all known terrorist groups with the areas that attack Israel. No matter what country they may be hiding in. The failed attempts at peace giving Gaza to Palestinian rule has proved that they are not ready for self rule as a nation that seeks peace with its neighbor. THey have violated international law by attacking Isreal via ROckets. We are defending ourselves from actions of terrorists who control Gaza.
    Civilian population is therefore warned that if there streets are used to fire rockets the have made themselves the target of Israel forces.

  13. Yehudit Says:
    March 2nd, 2008 at 7:09 am

    what was Sharon thinking when he anointed this guy?

    Perhaps the same thing Israeli voters were thinking when they previously annointed Sharon and subsequently Olmert.

    Unfortunatly, there is no war going on here. There is a higly limited response. The Arabs know this and will continue playing rat and mouse. In the meantime, Israel’s IDF sends their reps into Ashkelon, teaching people how to duck for cover within 15 seconds of an alarm that is not properly audible in Ashkelon anyway.

    KODima (K=Kiss, O=of, D=Death) Haim Ramon was on TV to tell us that the way to fight back is by sending 30 shells towards the location from which a rocket was launched. Idiot.

  14. Seriously. I think the Israeli government should have an stated policy regarding Palestine, that for every rocket or bomb or attack on Israel, they will take an acre of land off the Palestinians. For years the Palestinians have thought they can bomb Israel into giving them more land, and this totally reverses that motivation.

    That, and the IDF should blow up the wall into Egpyt from Gaza….

  15. From an old saying in Nam “GET SOME”. God speed my Israelie friends, dont stop this time until the rats are dead or pleading for peace, not a hudna.

  16. Is anyone shocked the UN has condemned Israel’s attempts to defend itself? Of course the UN seems to like to trash Israel whenever it can. I wonder what Obama has to say about it all.

  17. Andrew,
    I do not know if Obama is saying anything about the present situation, but here is a link to a letter he sent to the U.N. in response to last month’s blockade of Gaza. This was sent in the middle of an world press anti-Israel feeding frenzy.

    Stan

    http://jewishstandard.net//content_images/ObamaLetterbig.jpg

    Dave,
    Thank you so much for your live blogging. I know it is a lot of work. Your blog is very important.

    Stan

  18. This morning when I woke up, I didn’t bring up CNN, Foxnews, or Haaretz. My first and only source of news is Israellycool.

    Thanks Dave for the great liveblogging.

  19. Mike Jefferson

    Before Israel pulled out of Gaza in 2005, the number of rocket attacks on Israelis was negligible. Once Israel withdrew, they received prompt accolades from World bodies and its actions were hailed as a first step. The next step the Paleonazis took was to “elect” a terrorist government in 2007 and ever since Israel’s withdrawl, terror against Israel has been the operational objective.

    The MSM has bought into the terrorists agenda, printing hundreds of articles and photographs chastising Israel’s recent “blockade” while scarcely mentioning the several thousand missiles being launched at Israeli population centers. While the MSM was busily engaged in printing fauxtography – who could forget the famous candle shots with the curtains drawn in the daytime – the terrorist leaders planned a massive rearmament plan by blowing up and bulldozing the border wall between Gaza and Egypt.

    While the MSM wanted to believe that the “poor” residents were merely trying to buy eggs and oil the truth was much more insidious. The Paleos were hauling in thousands of pounds of munitions and terrorist weapons. Strangely, the MSM has been awfully quiet at drawing any connections between the planned destruction of the border wall and the sudden escalation of missile attacks.

    Since, Israel is viewed negatively in the MSM and throughout capitals in Europe, my advice is this: 1) you have nothing to lose since they hate you anyhow. 2) flatten the place.

  20. contrast that Pali “green helmet” photo above with the famous one of the American soldier with cradling a dying iraqi child.

    by the way – the BBC is really downplaying the gun battles and IDF casualties. i only found out about it on this blog!

    thoughts and prayers are with the IDF. i only hope the Israeli leadership wakes up and lets them get on with the job.

  21. Mike Jefferson

    Another thought Dave – has anyone given consideration to the following? Since missiles are being shot at Askelon and Sderot daily and Israel is being blamed at every turn for disporportionate response, why not pull the IDF back and arm your citizens in these towns with missiles of their own? Everytime a Paleonazi fires one off at Israelis cities, let the residents fire a handful back. Citizens defending their homes and no disproportionate response. See how long the Paleo’s would be shooting off missiles.

  22. At this very moment, the kid is attending the wedding of a childhood friend in Jerusalem. He was given leave for this, but will probably be back in it right after the chuppah.

    RIP, Samals Asulin and Dan-Gur. May G-d watch over the IDF and all they protect.

  23. mike -> it wouldnt work. the Sderot and Ashkelon civillians would be accused of “disproportionate response”.

    any Jewish retaliation is “disproprotionate” – according to the MSM and the UN and the EU, the Jews are supposed to line up in order as they did at Auschwitz.

  24. Let’s do a little math. Assumption: Conservatively speaking approx. 10,000,000 “bad guys” on the planet – mostly Islamic. How long would it take to kill them all? If you killed 2,740 per day every day, above and beyond the “normal” death rate, it would take 10 years! Y’all are going to have to do a lot better than you have been, cause there’s more on the way.

  25. Thank you so much for all your effort in keeping everyone updated.
    At this point the news stories about poor Pali’s is ready to drive me crazy. It is nice to know I can come here for updates.
    Your father and the Israeli’s are in my thoughts and prayers everyday. Hope he is doing well.

  26. “4:25PM: Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has asked Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann to examine whether the IDF can target populated areas from which Qassam rockets are being fired at the western Negev, according to international law.”

    …it isn’t targeting civilian areas, it’s targeting combatants…targeting civilians is (of course) out of bounds…civilians that don’t move a few houses down from the combatants, are risking their own lives of their own choosing…one can always “martyr” himself by stepping in front of the arrow…

    This is what often happens when “the people” go to war…We bombed Dresden to save our own lives from slavery and domination…from death…

    “International Law” doesn’t dictate…welcome to sovereignty…

  27. Hey Dave – good to see you doing this…I’m not sure I’ll have the time.

    However, I think it’s wrong to call this a conflict or war, since as usual, the Israeli government is refusing to even call this a war (same problem we had 2 summers ago). In fact, with the IDF having already left Gaza and Hamas claiming victory…I know I’m not going to liveblog for a few more days [maybe I’ll figure out how to get a working schedule in place]

    In any event – kudos, glad someone has the time 🙂

  28. Hi Jameel,

    Thanks for the kind words. Just a number of points:

    1. I deliberately call it a war because that is what it is, no matter what the government says.

    2. I WISH I had the time. I am seriously scrapping together very brief moments to do this. I even woke up extra early today.

  29. Remember the good ol’ days when wars were accompanied by signed declarations of war and a country’s leader publicly addressing the nation and stating that we won’t stop until the enemy raise their white underpants in total surrender and nothing less?

  30. IDF CENSORSHIP GUIDELINES – REPORTING THE LOCATION OF ROCKET HITS
    ——————
    4 March 2008

    Background:
    Recently, we have witnessed an increase in the number of missiles being fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel. The missiles themselves are more accurate and are equipped with stronger, more destructive warheads.

    This document emphasizes the censorship guidelines to the media and the press on the reporting of rocket hits:

    Following are the main censorship guidelines:

    1. Real-time reports on the exact locations of rocket hits are strictly prohibited. Reports, on delayed-time, of exact locations must always be approved by
    the IDF Censor.

    2. The IDF Censor will not authorize reports of rocket hits at IDF bases
    and/or strategic installations.

    3. The IDF Censor will not authorize reporting on rockets that fell into the Mediterranean Sea.

    4. The IDF Censor will not authorize photographs of rockets with identifying marks.

    5. The IDF Censor will not authorize reports regarding visits by senior Israel Government officials and IDF officer in southern Israel.

    6. The IDF Censor will not authorize information on exploded terrorist ordinance or any other malfunctioning ordinance.

    7. Panoramic, wide-angle, etc. photographs of rocket hits are strictly prohibited.

    Please ensure that all staff members are aware of the foregoing.

    The foregoing does not obviate the obligation to submit to the IDF Censor – prior to publication – of any news item regarding rocket hits or any other
    subject that must be approved by the IDF Censor.

    Sincerely,
    Col. Sima Vaknin-Gil
    Chief Censor to Press and Media

    ——————————————–
    IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis
    Website: http://www.imra.org.il

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