Good news this morning, with IDF special forces killing Walid Obeidi, Islamic Jihad’s top “military” (i.e. terrorist) commander in the West Bank, who, like other top terrorists before him, was courageously hiding amongst civilians. Interesting enough, he was also known as Abu al-Qassam, and was responsible for Islamic Jihad’s activities in the West Bank, whether they be shooting attacks or attempted terror attacks inside Israel.
Speaking of Qassams, the palestinians have fired 3 already this morning. So far, there have been no reports of injuries or damage.
Meanwhile, in addition to rockets, Hamas has launched an investigation into what it perceives to be its failures yesterday. As Ynet reports, “Hamas has long been functioning as a full-fledged military organization, and the decision to probe the incident falls in line with military norms.” In other words, even Hamas know full well that yesterday was no massacre of innocent people, but a military battle.
In other news, Israel has asked the UN to condemn yesterday’s killing of the Ecuadorian kibbutz volunteer as well as the Qassam rocket attacks on Sderot, and some Israeli Defense officials are concerned that yesterday’s fighting may negatively impact efforts to gain the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit.
I will attempt to post updates when I can during the day. Please spread the word.
Updates (Israel time)
9:05AM: Another 11 rockets have been fired at Ashkelon, and 9 more at Sderot, bringing this morning’s tally to 23 rockets.
9:07AM: Make that 25.
9:38AM: Islamic Jihad are claiming responsibility for the Qassam barrage, saying it was in response to Obeidi’s death. Always an excuse, yet the true reason is their desire to wipe us off the map.
11:18AM: Hamas has claimed responsibility for firing 16 of the Qassam rockets, although Ynet reports that they are claiming responsibility for firing all of the rockets today. You just have to love how the terrorists rush to take responsibility for killing Joooos.
11:20AM: Yisrael Beiteinu has left the government over Olmert’s insistence that the government will negotiate with the PA on the core issues of the conflict. Olmert’s associates have pointed out that the coalition still has a stable majority of 67 MKs, but would perhaps bring new parties into the government.
12:27PM: Yet another Qassam. I’m losing count here.
1:12PM: Ha’aretz reports that the IAF struck a car east of Gaza City, “killing two Palestinian militants.” In other news, Ha’aretz is referring to terrorists as militants.
2:05PM: The IDF has confirmed that they missed their target in the recent Gaza strike, and accidentally killed civilians, not terrorists as was previously reported.
2:45PM: From the Color Me Surprised Department:
The UN envoy to the Middle East Robert Serry visited Sderot Wednesday and saw the house of the Argon family, which sustained a direct hit by a Qassam rocket.
“I’m here to show my solidarity with the people of Sderot,” he said. “We must make every possible effort to reach a ceasefire. That is the only way to achieve peace.”
5:20PM: Since my last update, at least 4 more Qassams and 2 mortars have been fired into Israel, and Gorilla boy has opened his trap.
5:25PM: Oh my:
Chaim Ben-Shimul, a 57-year-old MDA paramedic, spoke to Arutz Sheva on Wednesday less than 24 hours after he was called to treat one of his own grandchildren after a rocket attack on the city
6:30PM: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has told reporters that he updated US President Bush on Egypt’s position that “the Palestinian question, of course, is the core of problems and conflict in the Middle East, and it is the entry to contain the crisis and tension in the region, and the best means to face what’s going on in the world, and our region – I mean by that, the escalation of violence, extremism and terrorism.”
But of course.
Because everyone knows that when Egypt and Jordan were in possession of Gaza and the “West Bank” prior to 1967, the palestinians were crying out for a state. And the Palestinian Liberation Organization was formed in 1964 in order to liberate the lands captured by Israel 3 years later!
Nice try, Hosni.
6:35PM: Today’s Qassam rocket count is over 30.
8:05PM: Haaretz reports that 2 palestinians have been killed in an Israeli airstrike. No word yet on whether they are the bad guys, or civilians amongst whom the bad guys are purposely moving.
8:37PM: Today’s Qassam tally now stands at around 50.
9:15PM: Regarding 8:05PM update, looks like it was the bad guys.
9:38PM: From the Ha’aretz news ticker:
Hamas: Abbas calls Zahar over death of son, breaking boycott of group (Reuters)
Just so we’re clear on where “moderate” Mahmoud stands on terrorism.
10:10PM: 7 mortar shells have landed in open fields in the western Negev.
10:22PM: Hamas are threatening to cut off all contacts with Jerusalem regarding the release of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit if we continue to kick their butt.
10:40PM: 4 mortar shells have hit Kisufim, with one house suffering a direct hit, and several people being treated for shock.
