[Dempsey]

Israel threatens 'disproportionate' response to Palestinian rocket fire

Fresh attacks could set back Hamas truce talks in Cairo

Toni O'Loughlin in Jerusalem
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 1 February 2009 14.54 GMT

Israel's government has threatened to take "fierce and disproportionate" action in Gaza after Palestinian militants fired six rockets on southern Israeli towns this morning.

The preparation to launch fresh attacks on Gaza comes two weeks after Israel halted a three-week onslaught and claimed its aims were "attained fully".

Israel's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, said the defence minister, Ehud Barak, was preparing the army for a surprise attack. "We won't give the terror groups warning as to when and how we'll react, but Israel will respond and act at the time and place of its choosing," Olmert said.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/fe ... lestinians

Sunday, 1 February 2009

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7863500.stm

Israel hits Hamas targets in Gaza

Israeli aircraft have bombed a Hamas security target in Gaza City and tunnels used by the militant group along the border with Egypt.

There were no reports of casualties after the strikes late on Sunday.

Israeli PM Ehud Olmert earlier vowed a "disproportionate" response to rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza.

He was speaking soon after at least two rockets hit southern Israel. Later three Israelis were injured in a mortar barrage by Palestinian militants.

Late on Sunday, Israeli aircraft carried out a strike on an empty Hamas police station in Gaza City, Palestinian witnesses say.

They say the building had been vacated after an Israeli warning to residents to leave the area.

Palestinians also reported explosions in Rafah on the Gaza-Egypt border, where Hamas operates tunnels to smuggle in weapons and food.

The Israeli army has so far made no comments.

[GandalfTheGrey]

Wow Israel exceeds itself. Not only do they claim that its goals were "attained fully" - right after a fresh barrage of Hamas rocket fire, but they are announcing to the entire world that they are about to launch a "surprise attack"

[Nattering Nabob]

It's no use sending warnings to terrorists.

I can only assume this is a message to the Israeli people.

[Dempsey]

^ but according to the BBC there was warning


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7863500.stm

Late on Sunday, Israeli aircraft carried out a strike on an empty Hamas police station in Gaza City, Palestinian witnesses say.

They say the building had been vacated after an Israeli warning to residents to leave the area.

[Maas]

right after a fresh barrage of Hamas rocket fire

my Dutch news agency said it Fatah themselves claimed being responsible for the rocketfire.

[Captain Sam]

I wasn't aware the Fatah operated in Gaza...

[Mundame]

Yes, we're seeing news here too that Fatah admits launching some at least of the rockets! All very odd.

Well, they're all a bad lot, apparently, whether Fatah or Hamas. It hardly matters: the point is, that Hamas is the government in Gaza, and any government has to be able to prevent attacks across its border, or face war from the power on the other side.

[sploop!]

the point is, that Hamas is the government in Gaza, and any government has to be able to prevent attacks across its border, or face war from the power on the other side.

Hopefully you extend the same courtesy to Hamas, who finds itself the democratically elected leadership of a people who are under brutal attack by Israel, which continues to extend its borders into land it does not rightfully have claim on. Of course Hamas has the same right to defend its people from an invading barbarian army.

[Maas]

Well, they're all a bad lot, apparently, whether Fatah or Hamas. It hardly matters: the point is, that Hamas is the government in Gaza, and any government has to be able to prevent attacks across its border, or face war from the power on the other side.

actually it maters a lot. If you want Hamas stop them rockets that Fatah is launcing than it's better to help Hamas with that instead of killing them.

[Noelnada]

If you want Hamas stop them rockets that Fatah is launcing than it's better to help Hamas with that instead of killing them.

There are never mention of the Islamic Jihad, which is the most hardcore faction, it's weird. I suppose that actually most of their vile actions are attributed to Hamas.

[sploop!]

Hamas are the Jews of the Gaza strip... /irony

[Donna]

If this keeps up, Palestinians in Gaza will eventually oust Hamas for bringing upon them such senseless destruction and death. I imagine this is what Israel is working towards.

[skinster]

If this keeps up, Palestinians in Gaza will eventually oust Hamas for bringing upon them such senseless destruction and death. I imagine this is what Israel is working towards.

First, it was the IDF that brought about the "senseless destruction and death"

Secondly, you "imagine" away because your thoughts regarding this issue aren't in line with reality.