From Fox News:
Iraq's provincial elections have wrapped up without any reports of serious violence.
Polls closed at 6 p.m. (10 a.m. EST) on Saturday — an hour later than planned — after millions of voters cast ballots for influential regional councils around most of Iraq. There were no reports of major violence.
Iraqi authorities imposed a huge security operation around the country that included traffic bans in major cities and extensive checkpoints and surveillance posts. The U.S. military also was out in force but did not take a direct role in the election security.
Results from the elections are not expected before Tuesday.
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Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Iran in the News
Well the 1st of February is rapidly approaching, the day the Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Tehran. Today we have two news stories about that country. The first is that the Iranian President will be running for reelection. The second, well its an interesting history lesson from an alternate perspective.
From Fox News:
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will run for re-election in June, one of his advisors said.
Press adviser Ali Akbar Javanfekr told The Associated Press on Thursday that Ahmadinejad will run to complete the programs he has started since his election in 2005.
Other officials close to Ahmadinejad had suggested he will run for re-election, and the move had been widely expected.
Under Iranian law, a president can run for two back-to-back terms
From Al Jazeera (English):
On February 1, 1979, Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini returned from exile to Tehran, whereupon he was greeted by millions of Iranians at the airport.
Days earlier the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, had fled the country, a year after public demonstrations had begun against his rule.
His departure signalled the culmination of the Iranian Islamic revolution.
Thirty years on Al Jazeera presents a series of special programmes analysing the political circumstances prior to the revolution and how Iranian society has been shaped by the events of 1979.
We hear from eyewitnesses who personally knew the Shah and the Ayatollah, dissect the anatomy of the revolution and report from Iran on how the country has changed.
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From Fox News:
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will run for re-election in June, one of his advisors said.
Press adviser Ali Akbar Javanfekr told The Associated Press on Thursday that Ahmadinejad will run to complete the programs he has started since his election in 2005.
Other officials close to Ahmadinejad had suggested he will run for re-election, and the move had been widely expected.
Under Iranian law, a president can run for two back-to-back terms
From Al Jazeera (English):
On February 1, 1979, Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini returned from exile to Tehran, whereupon he was greeted by millions of Iranians at the airport.
Days earlier the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, had fled the country, a year after public demonstrations had begun against his rule.
His departure signalled the culmination of the Iranian Islamic revolution.
Thirty years on Al Jazeera presents a series of special programmes analysing the political circumstances prior to the revolution and how Iranian society has been shaped by the events of 1979.
We hear from eyewitnesses who personally knew the Shah and the Ayatollah, dissect the anatomy of the revolution and report from Iran on how the country has changed.
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Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Important News Article to Read
For anyone who wonders if we are making a difference in Afghanistan and what that difference is, and why we need to stay the course; here is a phenomenal series of articles. I will be talking about this later in the week.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/01/22/acid.attacks/index.html
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http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/01/22/acid.attacks/index.html
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
So What's Up With Out-Sourcing?
I know I have been remarkably quiet the last few days, and it's because of this question above. It's really been bothering me. So before I begin my diatribe I'd like to hear your thoughts on this after you've read what I'm about to say. Its a little bit off topic for a military blog, but like I said it's been weighing on me lately.
I went to a couple local grocery stores this weekend and checked out the produce area. (And before you say anything the fact that it is the dead of winter is not lost on me...lol)But after checking out most of the normal non-exotic fruit there I was challenged to find some that were not produced south of our border. As I said, yes it's winter, but we have a large area of our country that can still produce fruits even when it is -10 with the windchill at my house.
Then I went to a tech store. I asked the clerk if I could buy a TV made in the United States....yes I actually asked the question. He kinda cocked his head and gave me the deer in the headlights look, and then said.....uhhh why, and I don't know if we have any.
I called a couple computer producing companies and asked If I could buy a computer made in the US. Again same answer....I won't bore you with that conversation....but I'm sure I was laughed at in the background.
I then decided I had humiliated myself enough and did a little research on buying a car. Our own "US" car companies have most of their parts made overseas. Hmmm.....this isn't doing wonders for my mood right now.
Finally I pulled out a service manual from my computer, and called it looking for tech support. I had a very nice conversation with a gentlemen in India, and then another with another gentlemen in a different part of India.
Am I the only one seeing a trend here?
My over-all worry is that; are we becoming a country that doesn't create and produce anything, but rather only consumes? If so how long can this go on for?
There was a very good article in Sports Illustrated by Mitch Albom that was talking about Detroit and their sports woes right now. He directly asks that question, as he looks around at production despair in Detroit. But I will take it a step further.
If we are truly becoming a country that is outsourcing everything, and we lose the ability to produce.....how long can that be sustained until our economy falls apart and our national security is impacted?
I don't know....but it's enough to have me pondering it for the last few days...
I'd like to hear your thoughts on it, maybe I'm way off base....I hope so....but I fear I am not.
God Bless America
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I went to a couple local grocery stores this weekend and checked out the produce area. (And before you say anything the fact that it is the dead of winter is not lost on me...lol)But after checking out most of the normal non-exotic fruit there I was challenged to find some that were not produced south of our border. As I said, yes it's winter, but we have a large area of our country that can still produce fruits even when it is -10 with the windchill at my house.
Then I went to a tech store. I asked the clerk if I could buy a TV made in the United States....yes I actually asked the question. He kinda cocked his head and gave me the deer in the headlights look, and then said.....uhhh why, and I don't know if we have any.
I called a couple computer producing companies and asked If I could buy a computer made in the US. Again same answer....I won't bore you with that conversation....but I'm sure I was laughed at in the background.
I then decided I had humiliated myself enough and did a little research on buying a car. Our own "US" car companies have most of their parts made overseas. Hmmm.....this isn't doing wonders for my mood right now.
Finally I pulled out a service manual from my computer, and called it looking for tech support. I had a very nice conversation with a gentlemen in India, and then another with another gentlemen in a different part of India.
Am I the only one seeing a trend here?
My over-all worry is that; are we becoming a country that doesn't create and produce anything, but rather only consumes? If so how long can this go on for?
There was a very good article in Sports Illustrated by Mitch Albom that was talking about Detroit and their sports woes right now. He directly asks that question, as he looks around at production despair in Detroit. But I will take it a step further.
If we are truly becoming a country that is outsourcing everything, and we lose the ability to produce.....how long can that be sustained until our economy falls apart and our national security is impacted?
I don't know....but it's enough to have me pondering it for the last few days...
I'd like to hear your thoughts on it, maybe I'm way off base....I hope so....but I fear I am not.
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Monday, January 19, 2009
Army Warrior Soldiers of the Week
Please click on the picture for the close-up version.
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
President Bush's Farewell Address
Shortly ago, President Bush gave his farewell address to the nation. Whether you are Republican or Democrat, pro or against the war, there can be no argument made that this man is not one of the most honest, and honorable men I have had the great fortune to see in my lifetime.
Sir, you said in your farewell address that it was your distinct honor to be our Commander in Chief. I can honestly say, the honor was all ours to serve under you. I had the chance to see you once, and your wonderful wife, the First Lady once. Both times, it was something I will not forget.
I wish you all of the best sir, and God Bless You as you continue your journey. Thank You.
God Bless America and may he be with the Bush Family as they transition.
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Sir, you said in your farewell address that it was your distinct honor to be our Commander in Chief. I can honestly say, the honor was all ours to serve under you. I had the chance to see you once, and your wonderful wife, the First Lady once. Both times, it was something I will not forget.
I wish you all of the best sir, and God Bless You as you continue your journey. Thank You.
God Bless America and may he be with the Bush Family as they transition.
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Reflections of a French Officer
Thank You very much to H for sending this to me. This is an absolutely phenomenal read. Also thank you to the gentlemen at Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure for publishing this.
Link to story at Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure:
In a year of being in Afghanistan and working with most of the 37 members of the Coalition, this is exactly what I saw. Soldiers from all 37 nations working together, pulling together, and getting the job done together. For all of the political rhetoric that we may see sometimes, people around the world do realize the good that we are doing, and they are thankful for it. Follow the link to read an absolutely great story.
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Link to story at Bill and Bob's Excellent Afghan Adventure:
In a year of being in Afghanistan and working with most of the 37 members of the Coalition, this is exactly what I saw. Soldiers from all 37 nations working together, pulling together, and getting the job done together. For all of the political rhetoric that we may see sometimes, people around the world do realize the good that we are doing, and they are thankful for it. Follow the link to read an absolutely great story.
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Gaza Update 10
From Fox News:
Hamas interior minister Said Siam was killed in an Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip, Hamas and U.S. Intelligence officials confirmed to FOX News Thursday.
Siam was in charge of 13,000 Hamas police and security officials, many of whom are involved in the Gaza conflict with Israel, Hamas-run television reported.
The news of Siam's death came as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said that Israel was to make an important decision on a possible cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported.
"I understand today the Israeli government will make an important decision on a ceasefire. I hope that decision will be the right one," Ban told Reuters.
Also Thursday, Israeli tanks shelled downtown Gaza City and ground troops thrust deep into a crowded neighborhood for the first time, sending terrified residents fleeing for cover and increasing pressure on Hamas to accept a proposed cease-fire to end Israel's offensive.
More to follow:
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Hamas interior minister Said Siam was killed in an Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip, Hamas and U.S. Intelligence officials confirmed to FOX News Thursday.
Siam was in charge of 13,000 Hamas police and security officials, many of whom are involved in the Gaza conflict with Israel, Hamas-run television reported.
The news of Siam's death came as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said that Israel was to make an important decision on a possible cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported.
"I understand today the Israeli government will make an important decision on a ceasefire. I hope that decision will be the right one," Ban told Reuters.
Also Thursday, Israeli tanks shelled downtown Gaza City and ground troops thrust deep into a crowded neighborhood for the first time, sending terrified residents fleeing for cover and increasing pressure on Hamas to accept a proposed cease-fire to end Israel's offensive.
More to follow:
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Gaza Update 9
From Fox News:
Israeli tanks shelled downtown Gaza City on Thursday and ground troops thrust deep into a crowded neighborhood for the first time, sending terrified residents fleeing for cover and increasing pressure on Hamas rulers to accept a proposed cease-fire to end Israel's devastating offensive.
The U.N. refugee agency also said its Gaza headquarters has been struck by Israeli artillery fire and the building was ablaze.
Spokesman Chris Gunness says the building was hit by what was believed to be three white phosphorous shells. The weapons burn at extremely high temperatures and can set things on fire.
Gunness says the building had been used as a shelter for hundreds of people fleeing Israel's 20-day offensive in Gaza. It's not clear how many people were there at the time. He says three people were injured.
The U.N. chief says he has expressed "strong protest and outrage" to Israel over the shelling of the United Nations compound in Gaza City.
Ban Ki-moon is demanding an investigation into Thursday's shelling. He says Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has told him it was a "grave mistake."
The Israeli military would not discuss its operations and it was not clear whether the intensified assault on Gaza City signaled a new phase in the three-week-old Israeli campaign that Gaza health officials say has already killed more than 1,000 Palestinians. Thirteen Israelis have been killed since the offensive began, according to the military.
From CNN:
"I conveyed my strong protest and outrage to the defense minister and the foreign minister and demanded a full explanation," Ban said at a news conference in Tel Aviv, Israel.
He added that Barak took the matter "very seriously."
Ban said he called Barak, before meeting with him later in the day, to ask him to explain the shelling of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency compound.
The UNRWA headquarters was hit repeatedly by shrapnel and artillery during clashes Thursday morning, UNRWA Director John Ging said. Three workers were hurt, and the compound's warehouse and workshop were burning out of control within an hour and a half, he said.
Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said it was "not clear whose shells, whose fire hit the U.N. facility."
"It could have been ours , it could have been Hamas'," Regev said. "This is being investigated."
More to follow:
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Israeli tanks shelled downtown Gaza City on Thursday and ground troops thrust deep into a crowded neighborhood for the first time, sending terrified residents fleeing for cover and increasing pressure on Hamas rulers to accept a proposed cease-fire to end Israel's devastating offensive.
The U.N. refugee agency also said its Gaza headquarters has been struck by Israeli artillery fire and the building was ablaze.
Spokesman Chris Gunness says the building was hit by what was believed to be three white phosphorous shells. The weapons burn at extremely high temperatures and can set things on fire.
Gunness says the building had been used as a shelter for hundreds of people fleeing Israel's 20-day offensive in Gaza. It's not clear how many people were there at the time. He says three people were injured.
The U.N. chief says he has expressed "strong protest and outrage" to Israel over the shelling of the United Nations compound in Gaza City.
Ban Ki-moon is demanding an investigation into Thursday's shelling. He says Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has told him it was a "grave mistake."
The Israeli military would not discuss its operations and it was not clear whether the intensified assault on Gaza City signaled a new phase in the three-week-old Israeli campaign that Gaza health officials say has already killed more than 1,000 Palestinians. Thirteen Israelis have been killed since the offensive began, according to the military.
From CNN:
"I conveyed my strong protest and outrage to the defense minister and the foreign minister and demanded a full explanation," Ban said at a news conference in Tel Aviv, Israel.
He added that Barak took the matter "very seriously."
Ban said he called Barak, before meeting with him later in the day, to ask him to explain the shelling of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency compound.
The UNRWA headquarters was hit repeatedly by shrapnel and artillery during clashes Thursday morning, UNRWA Director John Ging said. Three workers were hurt, and the compound's warehouse and workshop were burning out of control within an hour and a half, he said.
Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said it was "not clear whose shells, whose fire hit the U.N. facility."
"It could have been ours , it could have been Hamas'," Regev said. "This is being investigated."
More to follow:
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Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Interesting News on Mexico and Pakistan
From Fox News:
Mexico and Pakistan are at risk of a "rapid and sudden collapse," according to a recent report from the U.S. Joint Forces Command.
The assessment comes as President-elect Barack Obama prepares to tackle international challenges including the conflict in Gaza, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and tensions between India and Pakistan.
"In terms of worst-case scenarios for the Joint Force and indeed the world, two large and important states bear consideration for a rapid and sudden collapse: Pakistan and Mexico," the report says.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Joint Forces Command said the latest assessment was likely written before the Mumbai attacks which further inflamed tensions in South Asia.
The Joint Operating Environment report, meant to examine worldwide security trends, says Pakistan, in the event of such a rapid collapse, would be susceptible to a "violent and bloody civil and sectarian war" made more dangerous by concerns over the country's nuclear arsenal.
The report says that "perfect storm of uncertainty" by itself might require U.S. engagement.
More to follow:
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Mexico and Pakistan are at risk of a "rapid and sudden collapse," according to a recent report from the U.S. Joint Forces Command.
The assessment comes as President-elect Barack Obama prepares to tackle international challenges including the conflict in Gaza, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and tensions between India and Pakistan.
"In terms of worst-case scenarios for the Joint Force and indeed the world, two large and important states bear consideration for a rapid and sudden collapse: Pakistan and Mexico," the report says.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Joint Forces Command said the latest assessment was likely written before the Mumbai attacks which further inflamed tensions in South Asia.
The Joint Operating Environment report, meant to examine worldwide security trends, says Pakistan, in the event of such a rapid collapse, would be susceptible to a "violent and bloody civil and sectarian war" made more dangerous by concerns over the country's nuclear arsenal.
The report says that "perfect storm of uncertainty" by itself might require U.S. engagement.
More to follow:
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Gaza Update 8
From Fox News:
Egypt and Hamas were negotiating a proposal for a 10-day cease-fire in Gaza, officials said Wednesday, as the Palestinian death toll in the war passed 1,000 and smoke from Israeli airstrikes rose over Gaza City's devastated streets.
Egyptian and Palestinian officials said they hoped to seal Hamas' agreement on a temporary halt in fighting, which would be presented to Israel for approval. Key uncertainties remained for a longer-term deal under which Gaza's borders would be open and Israeli troops would withdraw.
The officials provided details of the deal on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the Egypt-Hamas talks. But Egyptian officials also expressed public optimism that momentum toward a deal was growing.
U.S. officials were unable to tell FOX News where the parties stand as the U.S. has no representations at the negotiations. Officials are watching the developments from Cairo closely.
"We're working with Hamas and we're working with the Israeli side. We hope to reach an outcome soon," Hossam Zaki, a spokesman for Egypt's Foreign Ministry, told the British Broadcasting Corp.
From CNN:
The rockets in northern Israel hit near the town of Kiryat Shmona, police said. No damage or injuries were reported from the attack, which came six days after a similar strike.
In Beirut, the Lebanese army said two rockets had been fired from the town of Hasbaya, and that the Israeli military had retaliated with rocket fire of its own. No further details were released.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which came amid a nearly three-week Israeli campaign to stop similar attacks from the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory of Gaza to the south.
Israel fought a similar battle against the Lebanese Shiite Muslim militia Hezbollah in 2006, during which Hezbollah rained rockets on cities in Israel's north for a month before a cease-fire was reached.
Hezbollah has kept a tight rein on its forces in southern Lebanon since the cease-fire, and a number of Palestinian factions operate in southern Lebanon as well.
Lebanon's government condemned the attacks and ordered its troops to investigate the firings alongside U.N. peacekeepers.
In Gaza, Palestinian medical sources said 47 people had been killed since midnight Monday, bringing the death toll in Gaza to 971 since Israel began its offensive 18 days ago. Among them, 311 were children, 13 were medics and four were members of the local media, the sources said.
More to follow:
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Egypt and Hamas were negotiating a proposal for a 10-day cease-fire in Gaza, officials said Wednesday, as the Palestinian death toll in the war passed 1,000 and smoke from Israeli airstrikes rose over Gaza City's devastated streets.
Egyptian and Palestinian officials said they hoped to seal Hamas' agreement on a temporary halt in fighting, which would be presented to Israel for approval. Key uncertainties remained for a longer-term deal under which Gaza's borders would be open and Israeli troops would withdraw.
The officials provided details of the deal on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the Egypt-Hamas talks. But Egyptian officials also expressed public optimism that momentum toward a deal was growing.
U.S. officials were unable to tell FOX News where the parties stand as the U.S. has no representations at the negotiations. Officials are watching the developments from Cairo closely.
"We're working with Hamas and we're working with the Israeli side. We hope to reach an outcome soon," Hossam Zaki, a spokesman for Egypt's Foreign Ministry, told the British Broadcasting Corp.
From CNN:
The rockets in northern Israel hit near the town of Kiryat Shmona, police said. No damage or injuries were reported from the attack, which came six days after a similar strike.
In Beirut, the Lebanese army said two rockets had been fired from the town of Hasbaya, and that the Israeli military had retaliated with rocket fire of its own. No further details were released.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which came amid a nearly three-week Israeli campaign to stop similar attacks from the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory of Gaza to the south.
Israel fought a similar battle against the Lebanese Shiite Muslim militia Hezbollah in 2006, during which Hezbollah rained rockets on cities in Israel's north for a month before a cease-fire was reached.
Hezbollah has kept a tight rein on its forces in southern Lebanon since the cease-fire, and a number of Palestinian factions operate in southern Lebanon as well.
Lebanon's government condemned the attacks and ordered its troops to investigate the firings alongside U.N. peacekeepers.
In Gaza, Palestinian medical sources said 47 people had been killed since midnight Monday, bringing the death toll in Gaza to 971 since Israel began its offensive 18 days ago. Among them, 311 were children, 13 were medics and four were members of the local media, the sources said.
More to follow:
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Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Gaza Update 7
From Fox News:
Israeli ground troops battled Palestinian militants in the streets of a densely populated Gaza City neighborhood early Tuesday, destroying dozens of homes and sending terrified residents running for cover as gunfire and explosions echoed in the distance.
Israel's push into Tel Hawwa neighborhood was the furthest it has moved into Gaza City during an 18-day offensive against Hamas militants, bringing Israel's ground forces within one mile of the crowded city center. Palestinian hospital officials say more than 900 Palestinians, half of them civilians, have been killed.
Israel launched the offensive on Dec. 27 to end years of Palestinian rocket attacks on its southern towns, and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has vowed to press forward with an "iron fist," despite growing international calls for an end to the fighting. U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon was headed to the region Tuesday to press for a cease-fire.
Palestinian witnesses said the Israeli forces moved overnight about 300 yards into Tel Hawwa, a neighborhood of high-rise buildings on the southeastern edge of Gaza City. Palestinian medical officials reported at least 16 people killed in fighting, though the Israeli army suggested the number could be much higher.
From CNN:
The rumble of artillery fire and airstrikes continued throughout the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory as Israeli troops and armor pushed into Gaza City from the northwest and northeast, approaching the headquarters of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service.
The Israeli military reported clashes between its troops and Hamas fighters and said at least 30 Palestinian combatants were killed or wounded.
Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes and helicopter gunships struck 60 targets overnight, the Israel Defense Forces said.
"We are tightening the encirclement of the city," Brig. Eyal Eisenberg, commander of the Israeli offensive, told reporters brought in to Gaza to observe the deployment.
Israel launched its military operation in Gaza on December 27 to halt rocket attacks on southern Israel. At least 14 rockets were fired into Israel on Monday, causing no injuries, an Israeli ambulance services spokesman said.
For a sixth day, Israel halted the bombardment temporarily to allow civilians access to needed supplies. The IDF said it expected 100 trucks loaded with aid to be transferred to the territory through the Kerem Shalom border crossing
More to follow:
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Israeli ground troops battled Palestinian militants in the streets of a densely populated Gaza City neighborhood early Tuesday, destroying dozens of homes and sending terrified residents running for cover as gunfire and explosions echoed in the distance.
Israel's push into Tel Hawwa neighborhood was the furthest it has moved into Gaza City during an 18-day offensive against Hamas militants, bringing Israel's ground forces within one mile of the crowded city center. Palestinian hospital officials say more than 900 Palestinians, half of them civilians, have been killed.
Israel launched the offensive on Dec. 27 to end years of Palestinian rocket attacks on its southern towns, and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has vowed to press forward with an "iron fist," despite growing international calls for an end to the fighting. U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon was headed to the region Tuesday to press for a cease-fire.
Palestinian witnesses said the Israeli forces moved overnight about 300 yards into Tel Hawwa, a neighborhood of high-rise buildings on the southeastern edge of Gaza City. Palestinian medical officials reported at least 16 people killed in fighting, though the Israeli army suggested the number could be much higher.
From CNN:
The rumble of artillery fire and airstrikes continued throughout the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory as Israeli troops and armor pushed into Gaza City from the northwest and northeast, approaching the headquarters of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service.
The Israeli military reported clashes between its troops and Hamas fighters and said at least 30 Palestinian combatants were killed or wounded.
Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes and helicopter gunships struck 60 targets overnight, the Israel Defense Forces said.
"We are tightening the encirclement of the city," Brig. Eyal Eisenberg, commander of the Israeli offensive, told reporters brought in to Gaza to observe the deployment.
Israel launched its military operation in Gaza on December 27 to halt rocket attacks on southern Israel. At least 14 rockets were fired into Israel on Monday, causing no injuries, an Israeli ambulance services spokesman said.
For a sixth day, Israel halted the bombardment temporarily to allow civilians access to needed supplies. The IDF said it expected 100 trucks loaded with aid to be transferred to the territory through the Kerem Shalom border crossing
More to follow:
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Monday, January 12, 2009
Gaza Strip
Well as I peruse most of the shows discussing the ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip, I have not found one yet that is asking the crucial question. Before I get into that though, here are some important facts to remember.
First the head of Hamas who so vehemently has been calling for the courage of his followers, and for the people of Gaza to give their lives in their, "struggle", with Israel, is sitting secure and safe in Syria. It takes a lot of courage and intestinal fortitude to be hundreds of miles away and calling for your people to show courage.
Secondly we keep on hearing about all the civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip. What we have not heard much about, is that in Hamas' own doctrine, it calls for utilizing human shields. It discusses in detail the fact that they will use safe areas such as hospitals and mosques as places to plan and execute attacks from.
Third, when asked about Hamas using these safe areas as places to launch attacks from, the head of the UN Mission to Gaza looked right into the camera and said, well I don't know about that, I'm just concerned about humanitarian assistance. When asked again how could he not know that his areas that were under his control were being used to conduct attacks from, he went back to his first answer.
Israel is acting in their own self defense, and they have shown much restraint. They are allowing humanitarian assistance convoys to move in and out of Gaza and they are templating where all UN declared safe areas are. Actually very similar to how we conduct operations.
But, the point that I have not heard brought up once is, who is dealing with Iran about this? Iran trains, equips, and arms Hamas and for that matter Hezbollah. They also are the ones that for the last 20 years have been calling the shots as to what these two groups can and can not do. I am sure, that this drastic increase in rocket attacks that precipitated the Israeli incursion was done with Iranian approval.
So who is talking about Iran right now? Everyone seems to agree that a lasting cease-fire must be put in place and that the situation must be fixed. But who has called for Iran to be admonished by the Security Council? Has anyone called for the Security Council to warn Iran to stop this fighting with proxy parties? No...not at all.
Until Hamas and Hezbollah's links with Iran are cut, these problems will continue, and that will be an enduring challenge for us, for some time to come.
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First the head of Hamas who so vehemently has been calling for the courage of his followers, and for the people of Gaza to give their lives in their, "struggle", with Israel, is sitting secure and safe in Syria. It takes a lot of courage and intestinal fortitude to be hundreds of miles away and calling for your people to show courage.
Secondly we keep on hearing about all the civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip. What we have not heard much about, is that in Hamas' own doctrine, it calls for utilizing human shields. It discusses in detail the fact that they will use safe areas such as hospitals and mosques as places to plan and execute attacks from.
Third, when asked about Hamas using these safe areas as places to launch attacks from, the head of the UN Mission to Gaza looked right into the camera and said, well I don't know about that, I'm just concerned about humanitarian assistance. When asked again how could he not know that his areas that were under his control were being used to conduct attacks from, he went back to his first answer.
Israel is acting in their own self defense, and they have shown much restraint. They are allowing humanitarian assistance convoys to move in and out of Gaza and they are templating where all UN declared safe areas are. Actually very similar to how we conduct operations.
But, the point that I have not heard brought up once is, who is dealing with Iran about this? Iran trains, equips, and arms Hamas and for that matter Hezbollah. They also are the ones that for the last 20 years have been calling the shots as to what these two groups can and can not do. I am sure, that this drastic increase in rocket attacks that precipitated the Israeli incursion was done with Iranian approval.
So who is talking about Iran right now? Everyone seems to agree that a lasting cease-fire must be put in place and that the situation must be fixed. But who has called for Iran to be admonished by the Security Council? Has anyone called for the Security Council to warn Iran to stop this fighting with proxy parties? No...not at all.
Until Hamas and Hezbollah's links with Iran are cut, these problems will continue, and that will be an enduring challenge for us, for some time to come.
God Bless America
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Gaza Update 6
From Fox News:
Israeli warplanes pounded the homes of Hamas leaders and ground troops edged closer to the Gaza Strip's densely-populated urban center Monday, as Israel stepped up the pressure ahead of deciding whether to escalate its devastating two-week offensive.
From downtown Gaza City black smoke could be seen rising over the eastern suburbs, where the two sides skirmished throughout the night. At least six Palestinians were killed in the new airstrikes or died from their wounds on Monday, Gaza health officials said. One of the dead was a militant killed in a northern Gaza battle.
Despite the tightening Israeli cordon, however, militants still managed to fire off a rocket Monday morning which fell near the southern town of Kiryat Gat but caused no casualties, police said.
The army announced Sunday that it had begun sending reserve units into Gaza to assist thousands of ground forces already in the territory. The use of reserves is a strong signal that Israel is planning to move the offensive, which already has killed some 870 Palestinians, into a new, more punishing phase.
From CNN:
For a fifth day, the Israeli military paused for three-hour break from its assault on Gaza to allow residents to pick up humanitarian supplies, a Defense Ministry spokesman said Monday.
The halt in attacks started at 10 a.m. (3 a.m. ET) and was set to end at 1 p.m. (6 a.m. ET.) Israel will allow in 160 trucks of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory through the Kerem Shalom and Karni crossings, Defense Ministry spokesman Peter Lerner said.
Despite an Israeli official's assessment that the military operation may be in its final days, Israeli warplanes continued to bombard Gaza overnight.
The Israeli military says its air and ground operation is aimed at stopping rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled territory, but militants have continued to launch rockets and mortar shells into southern Israel.
Israel has said the air and ground operation is aimed at stopping rocket fire from Gaza, but militants have continued to launch rockets and mortar shells into southern Israel.
At least 20 rockets struck Israel on Sunday, including a kindergarten in the southern city of Ashdod, causing some damage but no casualties, according to an Israeli military statement.
Israeli soldiers on Sunday closed in on Gaza City from the north and the south. Residents said heavy shelling and large plumes of black smoke emanated from the city.
Also, there was heavy gunfire in northeast Gaza from a location where two rockets were launched toward Israel on Sunday.
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Israeli warplanes pounded the homes of Hamas leaders and ground troops edged closer to the Gaza Strip's densely-populated urban center Monday, as Israel stepped up the pressure ahead of deciding whether to escalate its devastating two-week offensive.
From downtown Gaza City black smoke could be seen rising over the eastern suburbs, where the two sides skirmished throughout the night. At least six Palestinians were killed in the new airstrikes or died from their wounds on Monday, Gaza health officials said. One of the dead was a militant killed in a northern Gaza battle.
Despite the tightening Israeli cordon, however, militants still managed to fire off a rocket Monday morning which fell near the southern town of Kiryat Gat but caused no casualties, police said.
The army announced Sunday that it had begun sending reserve units into Gaza to assist thousands of ground forces already in the territory. The use of reserves is a strong signal that Israel is planning to move the offensive, which already has killed some 870 Palestinians, into a new, more punishing phase.
From CNN:
For a fifth day, the Israeli military paused for three-hour break from its assault on Gaza to allow residents to pick up humanitarian supplies, a Defense Ministry spokesman said Monday.
The halt in attacks started at 10 a.m. (3 a.m. ET) and was set to end at 1 p.m. (6 a.m. ET.) Israel will allow in 160 trucks of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory through the Kerem Shalom and Karni crossings, Defense Ministry spokesman Peter Lerner said.
Despite an Israeli official's assessment that the military operation may be in its final days, Israeli warplanes continued to bombard Gaza overnight.
The Israeli military says its air and ground operation is aimed at stopping rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled territory, but militants have continued to launch rockets and mortar shells into southern Israel.
Israel has said the air and ground operation is aimed at stopping rocket fire from Gaza, but militants have continued to launch rockets and mortar shells into southern Israel.
At least 20 rockets struck Israel on Sunday, including a kindergarten in the southern city of Ashdod, causing some damage but no casualties, according to an Israeli military statement.
Israeli soldiers on Sunday closed in on Gaza City from the north and the south. Residents said heavy shelling and large plumes of black smoke emanated from the city.
Also, there was heavy gunfire in northeast Gaza from a location where two rockets were launched toward Israel on Sunday.
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Saturday, January 10, 2009
Gaza Update 5
From Fox News:
Israel will step up its offensive on the Gaza Strip, and dropped leaflets there Saturday warning residents of its plan.
The fliers that fluttered down from Israeli air force jets warned of "a new phase in the war on terror" and said Israel will "escalate" its operation, which has already killed more than 800 Palestinians.
The notices were dropped as a "general warning," the army said Saturday.
Israel launched the offensive two weeks ago to halt years of Palestinian rocket attacks. The army says the operation is directed only at the ruling Hamas militant group. But Palestinian officials say roughly half of the casualties have been civilians
From CNN:
Heavy black smoke rose in Gaza City, apparently from explosions, during a three-hour lull Saturday afternoon during which Israel was to halt its attacks on Gaza militants so Palestinians could stock up on supplies.
CNN's Ben Wedeman said the lulls, which have been tried before, aren't "rock solid." Limited military activity continues during that period, he said.
Thousands of leaflets dropped by Israeli planes fluttered over Gaza City while the lull was in place. It temporary suspension of operations lasted from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (11 a.m. GMT and 2 p.m. GMT), said Israeli Defense Ministry spokesman Peter Lerner.
It is the third time in the past two weeks that Israel has stopped attacks for a short time to allow Palestinians to get supplies.
Just minutes after the lull ended, Wedeman -- who is on the border between Israel and Gaza -- said he heard heavy machine gun fire and a distant explosion, and there were Israeli helicopters in the air.
A United Nations spokesman said the pause was not long enough to resume the transport of humanitarian supplies from Israel into Gaza.
Meanwhile, civilians on both sides of the conflict continue to suffer.
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Israel will step up its offensive on the Gaza Strip, and dropped leaflets there Saturday warning residents of its plan.
The fliers that fluttered down from Israeli air force jets warned of "a new phase in the war on terror" and said Israel will "escalate" its operation, which has already killed more than 800 Palestinians.
The notices were dropped as a "general warning," the army said Saturday.
Israel launched the offensive two weeks ago to halt years of Palestinian rocket attacks. The army says the operation is directed only at the ruling Hamas militant group. But Palestinian officials say roughly half of the casualties have been civilians
From CNN:
Heavy black smoke rose in Gaza City, apparently from explosions, during a three-hour lull Saturday afternoon during which Israel was to halt its attacks on Gaza militants so Palestinians could stock up on supplies.
CNN's Ben Wedeman said the lulls, which have been tried before, aren't "rock solid." Limited military activity continues during that period, he said.
Thousands of leaflets dropped by Israeli planes fluttered over Gaza City while the lull was in place. It temporary suspension of operations lasted from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (11 a.m. GMT and 2 p.m. GMT), said Israeli Defense Ministry spokesman Peter Lerner.
It is the third time in the past two weeks that Israel has stopped attacks for a short time to allow Palestinians to get supplies.
Just minutes after the lull ended, Wedeman -- who is on the border between Israel and Gaza -- said he heard heavy machine gun fire and a distant explosion, and there were Israeli helicopters in the air.
A United Nations spokesman said the pause was not long enough to resume the transport of humanitarian supplies from Israel into Gaza.
Meanwhile, civilians on both sides of the conflict continue to suffer.
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Thursday, January 8, 2009
Gaza Update 4
From Fox News:
A Hezbollah minister in Lebanon's Cabinet denies any involvement by the militant group in the firing of rockets from Lebanon into Israel.
At least three rockets were fired Thursday, and Israel responded with a few artillery shells into Lebanon, which borders the country to the north. The exchange threatened to open a second front as Israel continues its offensive against the militant group Hamas on its southern border, in the Gaza Strip.
Two people were lightly injured, and the rockets that exploded in Israel's north raised the specter of renewed hostilities with Hezbollah, just 2 1/2 years after Israel battled the guerrilla group to a 34-day stalemate. Hezbollah started the 2006 war as Israel was battling Palestinian militants in Gaza.
No group claimed responsibility and Lebanon's government, wary of conflict, quickly condemned the rocket fire. But Hezbollah has been suspected in the past by Israel and its opponents in Lebanon of using allied radical groups to irritate Israel with a lower risk of retaliation.
Israel now faces threats on two of its borders from Islamic organizations with close ties to Iran. Hamas rockets threaten about 1 million Israelis in the south out of a population of 7 million, and Israel's military believes that the rockets in the Hezbollah's arsenal can hit most of the remaining 6 million.
From CNN:
"Since the conflict began 13 days ago, four UNRWA local staff have been killed," according to a statement from Ban's representative referring to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency.
"The U.N. is in close touch with the Israeli authorities about a full investigation of this and other incidents, and about the need for urgent measures to avoid them in the future."
As a result of Thursday's fatal attack on its aid convoy, the U.N. relief agency will suspend activities in Gaza until the Israeli military can guarantee the safety of its staff, said the agency's chief spokesman, Chris Gunness, in Jerusalem.
The humanitarian agency provides food and relief supplies to about 80 percent of Gaza's 1.5 million people. At least 50 trucks carrying humanitarian goods and diesel fuel crossed into Gaza on Thursday.
A spokeswoman for the Israeli military said it is not aware of the attack near the Erez Crossing but said Hamas militants sometimes have targeted U.N. aid trucks to take food.
The Red Cross said Thursday that Israeli forces also fired on one of its convoys in Gaza but no one was hurt.
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A Hezbollah minister in Lebanon's Cabinet denies any involvement by the militant group in the firing of rockets from Lebanon into Israel.
At least three rockets were fired Thursday, and Israel responded with a few artillery shells into Lebanon, which borders the country to the north. The exchange threatened to open a second front as Israel continues its offensive against the militant group Hamas on its southern border, in the Gaza Strip.
Two people were lightly injured, and the rockets that exploded in Israel's north raised the specter of renewed hostilities with Hezbollah, just 2 1/2 years after Israel battled the guerrilla group to a 34-day stalemate. Hezbollah started the 2006 war as Israel was battling Palestinian militants in Gaza.
No group claimed responsibility and Lebanon's government, wary of conflict, quickly condemned the rocket fire. But Hezbollah has been suspected in the past by Israel and its opponents in Lebanon of using allied radical groups to irritate Israel with a lower risk of retaliation.
Israel now faces threats on two of its borders from Islamic organizations with close ties to Iran. Hamas rockets threaten about 1 million Israelis in the south out of a population of 7 million, and Israel's military believes that the rockets in the Hezbollah's arsenal can hit most of the remaining 6 million.
From CNN:
"Since the conflict began 13 days ago, four UNRWA local staff have been killed," according to a statement from Ban's representative referring to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency.
"The U.N. is in close touch with the Israeli authorities about a full investigation of this and other incidents, and about the need for urgent measures to avoid them in the future."
As a result of Thursday's fatal attack on its aid convoy, the U.N. relief agency will suspend activities in Gaza until the Israeli military can guarantee the safety of its staff, said the agency's chief spokesman, Chris Gunness, in Jerusalem.
The humanitarian agency provides food and relief supplies to about 80 percent of Gaza's 1.5 million people. At least 50 trucks carrying humanitarian goods and diesel fuel crossed into Gaza on Thursday.
A spokeswoman for the Israeli military said it is not aware of the attack near the Erez Crossing but said Hamas militants sometimes have targeted U.N. aid trucks to take food.
The Red Cross said Thursday that Israeli forces also fired on one of its convoys in Gaza but no one was hurt.
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Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Gaza Update 3
From Fox News:
Israel said on Wednesday that talks are still underway with Egypt over a cease-fire proposal for the Gaza Strip despite French President Nicolas Sarkozy's announcement that Israel and the Palestinian Authority accepted a U.S.-backed cease-fire plan for Gaza, Reuters reported.
A Hamas official in the Gaza Strip also told Reuters that the cease-fire proposal was "still under discussion."
Israel's military paused its Gaza offensive for three hours Wednesday to allow food and fuel to reach besieged Palestinians.
Israel will pause its assault in the Gaza Strip from 1 to 4 p.m. local time (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. EST) each day to allow aid to flow through a humanitarian corridor it is setting up in the Hamas-ruled territory, a military source said on Wednesday.
Hamas later said it will not launch any missiles at Israeli targets as the Jewish state puts on hold its military operation, the group's deputy leader said on Wednesday.
From CNN:
The Israeli military is halting its military operations in Gaza for three hours today to allow residents of the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory to obtain supplies.
The temporary cease-fire will take place in the "whole of the Gaza Strip" from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET) today, Israeli Defense Ministry spokesman Peter Lerner told CNN.
The three-hour truce is scheduled to take place every other day.
"This is in order to enable replenishing of supplies and allow aid activities," he said.
Lerner noted that Israeli forces would respond to any aggression toward them during the pause.
CNN's Ben Wedeman, who is positioned along the Israel-Gaza border, said he heard a rocket fired from Israel into Gaza shortly after the truce was to commence.
"If the lull was supposed to begin 14 minutes ago; it hasn't begun yet," Wedeman said.
The announcement follows Israel's decision to open a "humanitarian corridor" into Gaza in response to mounting concerns about shortages of food, water and medicine in the territory.
Israel says its military operation is aimed at halting the firing of rockets into southern Israel by Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007. But 35 rockets fell on Israeli territory on Tuesday, and five struck southern Israel by late morning Wednesday, Israeli police said.
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Israel said on Wednesday that talks are still underway with Egypt over a cease-fire proposal for the Gaza Strip despite French President Nicolas Sarkozy's announcement that Israel and the Palestinian Authority accepted a U.S.-backed cease-fire plan for Gaza, Reuters reported.
A Hamas official in the Gaza Strip also told Reuters that the cease-fire proposal was "still under discussion."
Israel's military paused its Gaza offensive for three hours Wednesday to allow food and fuel to reach besieged Palestinians.
Israel will pause its assault in the Gaza Strip from 1 to 4 p.m. local time (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. EST) each day to allow aid to flow through a humanitarian corridor it is setting up in the Hamas-ruled territory, a military source said on Wednesday.
Hamas later said it will not launch any missiles at Israeli targets as the Jewish state puts on hold its military operation, the group's deputy leader said on Wednesday.
From CNN:
The Israeli military is halting its military operations in Gaza for three hours today to allow residents of the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory to obtain supplies.
The temporary cease-fire will take place in the "whole of the Gaza Strip" from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET) today, Israeli Defense Ministry spokesman Peter Lerner told CNN.
The three-hour truce is scheduled to take place every other day.
"This is in order to enable replenishing of supplies and allow aid activities," he said.
Lerner noted that Israeli forces would respond to any aggression toward them during the pause.
CNN's Ben Wedeman, who is positioned along the Israel-Gaza border, said he heard a rocket fired from Israel into Gaza shortly after the truce was to commence.
"If the lull was supposed to begin 14 minutes ago; it hasn't begun yet," Wedeman said.
The announcement follows Israel's decision to open a "humanitarian corridor" into Gaza in response to mounting concerns about shortages of food, water and medicine in the territory.
Israel says its military operation is aimed at halting the firing of rockets into southern Israel by Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007. But 35 rockets fell on Israeli territory on Tuesday, and five struck southern Israel by late morning Wednesday, Israeli police said.
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Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Gaza Update Two
From Fox News:
Israeli tanks blasted their way into the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis for the first time this morning, Palestinian witnesses said, as heavy fighting raged on the northern edges of Gaza City itself.
Shells slammed into Gaza and ground forces edged closer to major population centers after Israel declined mounting international calls for an immediate cease-fire on Monday.
In fighting that raged early Tuesday morning, at least 18 people were killed in shelling up and down the Gaza Strip from tanks and naval craft, local hospital officials said. Two of the dead were confirmed as militants.
Tanks rumbled closer to the towns of Khan Younis and Dir el Balah in south and central Gaza, witnesses said sounds of fighting could be heard from around the new Israeli positions. Israel already has encircled Gaza City, the area's biggest city.
Israel launched its offensive on Dec. 27 in a bid to halt repeated Palestinian rocket attacks on its southern towns. After a weeklong air campaign, Israeli ground forces invaded Gaza over the weekend. More than 500 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 100 civilians, according to U.N. figures. Nine Israelis have died since the operation began.
From CNN:
As the Israeli military surrounded densely populated Gaza City on Tuesday, it claimed to have killed 130 Hamas fighters since beginning a ground offensive at the weekend.
Israel also confirmed that it had launched more than 40 air strikes since midnight as its campaign intensified.
The United Nations said Tuesday one Israeli missile struck an elementary school in Gaza City where hundreds of Palestinians had taken shelter, killing three men.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency said Asma Elementary school was clearly marked as a U.N. installation. It said over 400 people had been given shelter at the school when it was hit Monday night.
"Well before the current fighting, UNRWA had given to the Israeli authorities the GPS (global positioning system) co-ordinates of all its installations in Gaza, including Asma Elementary School," the agency said in a news release.
UNRWA identified the those killed as three men, all members of the same family, between the ages of 19 and 25. "UNRWA is strongly protesting these killings to the Israeli authorities and is calling for an immediate and impartial investigation," it said.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued to encircle the city of about half a million people as European diplomats swarmed into the region trying to pull together the elements for a cease-fire. But neither side has showed any real interest in international calls for a truce.
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Israeli tanks blasted their way into the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis for the first time this morning, Palestinian witnesses said, as heavy fighting raged on the northern edges of Gaza City itself.
Shells slammed into Gaza and ground forces edged closer to major population centers after Israel declined mounting international calls for an immediate cease-fire on Monday.
In fighting that raged early Tuesday morning, at least 18 people were killed in shelling up and down the Gaza Strip from tanks and naval craft, local hospital officials said. Two of the dead were confirmed as militants.
Tanks rumbled closer to the towns of Khan Younis and Dir el Balah in south and central Gaza, witnesses said sounds of fighting could be heard from around the new Israeli positions. Israel already has encircled Gaza City, the area's biggest city.
Israel launched its offensive on Dec. 27 in a bid to halt repeated Palestinian rocket attacks on its southern towns. After a weeklong air campaign, Israeli ground forces invaded Gaza over the weekend. More than 500 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 100 civilians, according to U.N. figures. Nine Israelis have died since the operation began.
From CNN:
As the Israeli military surrounded densely populated Gaza City on Tuesday, it claimed to have killed 130 Hamas fighters since beginning a ground offensive at the weekend.
Israel also confirmed that it had launched more than 40 air strikes since midnight as its campaign intensified.
The United Nations said Tuesday one Israeli missile struck an elementary school in Gaza City where hundreds of Palestinians had taken shelter, killing three men.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency said Asma Elementary school was clearly marked as a U.N. installation. It said over 400 people had been given shelter at the school when it was hit Monday night.
"Well before the current fighting, UNRWA had given to the Israeli authorities the GPS (global positioning system) co-ordinates of all its installations in Gaza, including Asma Elementary School," the agency said in a news release.
UNRWA identified the those killed as three men, all members of the same family, between the ages of 19 and 25. "UNRWA is strongly protesting these killings to the Israeli authorities and is calling for an immediate and impartial investigation," it said.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued to encircle the city of about half a million people as European diplomats swarmed into the region trying to pull together the elements for a cease-fire. But neither side has showed any real interest in international calls for a truce.
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Monday, January 5, 2009
Gaza Update
From Fox News:
Israeli forces consolidated their hold on parts of the Gaza Strip on Monday, seizing three high-rise buildings on the outskirts of the territory's biggest city as militants pummeled southern Israel with rockets.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the offensive would continue until Israel achieved "peace and tranquility" for residents of southern Israel who continued to be bombarded by Palestinian rocket and mortar fire.
Militants, defying the attacks, fired two dozen rockets at Israel by midday and Gaza's Hamas strongman urged Palestinians to "crush" the invading Israeli forces and target Israeli civilians.
A stream of diplomats and world leaders hoping to end the violence headed for the region to meet with Israeli leaders as world outrage over ballooning Palestinian casualties mounted. Gaza health officials reported 524 dead and nearly 2,000 wounded since Israel embarked upon its military campaign against Gaza's Islamic Hamas rulers on Dec. 27. At least 200 civilians were among the dead.
From CNN:
Hamas rocket fire into southern Israel persisted Monday despite a now 10-day military campaign by Israel in Gaza which Palestinian sources say has resulted in over 500 deaths.
Thirty targets were hit overnight in Gaza, according to the Israeli military, including an underground munitions bunker and what it said was a mosque that was used to store a large amount of weapons. A number of militants are known to have been killed when a rocket launcher was destroyed, a military spokesman said, but no number was given.
Israel Defense Forces also said it targeted tunnels that Hamas has used for moving weapons into Gaza under the border from Egypt. The Israeli navy also shelled targets in Gaza. Israeli police and ambulance services said at least 16 rockets had been fired into Israeli territory Monday morning.
"After all this overnight pounding that we've heard ... continuing gun battles ... the warning sirens sounded in the town nearby here," CNN's Nic Robertson reported Monday. "That was an indication that a rocket was being fired out by Hamas into Israel and the rocket landed on the hillside a little bit away from where we are ..."
Israeli helicopter gunships are patrolling the Israeli-Gaza border, Robertson reported.
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Israeli forces consolidated their hold on parts of the Gaza Strip on Monday, seizing three high-rise buildings on the outskirts of the territory's biggest city as militants pummeled southern Israel with rockets.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the offensive would continue until Israel achieved "peace and tranquility" for residents of southern Israel who continued to be bombarded by Palestinian rocket and mortar fire.
Militants, defying the attacks, fired two dozen rockets at Israel by midday and Gaza's Hamas strongman urged Palestinians to "crush" the invading Israeli forces and target Israeli civilians.
A stream of diplomats and world leaders hoping to end the violence headed for the region to meet with Israeli leaders as world outrage over ballooning Palestinian casualties mounted. Gaza health officials reported 524 dead and nearly 2,000 wounded since Israel embarked upon its military campaign against Gaza's Islamic Hamas rulers on Dec. 27. At least 200 civilians were among the dead.
From CNN:
Hamas rocket fire into southern Israel persisted Monday despite a now 10-day military campaign by Israel in Gaza which Palestinian sources say has resulted in over 500 deaths.
Thirty targets were hit overnight in Gaza, according to the Israeli military, including an underground munitions bunker and what it said was a mosque that was used to store a large amount of weapons. A number of militants are known to have been killed when a rocket launcher was destroyed, a military spokesman said, but no number was given.
Israel Defense Forces also said it targeted tunnels that Hamas has used for moving weapons into Gaza under the border from Egypt. The Israeli navy also shelled targets in Gaza. Israeli police and ambulance services said at least 16 rockets had been fired into Israeli territory Monday morning.
"After all this overnight pounding that we've heard ... continuing gun battles ... the warning sirens sounded in the town nearby here," CNN's Nic Robertson reported Monday. "That was an indication that a rocket was being fired out by Hamas into Israel and the rocket landed on the hillside a little bit away from where we are ..."
Israeli helicopter gunships are patrolling the Israeli-Gaza border, Robertson reported.
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Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year and Apologies
Well its been about 2 weeks and I haven't published anything. I thought over our Christmas Trip I'd have more time and more internet access, but that wasn't to be. So after long hours on the road, a couple stops, 1 Tornado, 1 Ice Storm, and 1 Snow Storm, I'm back.
I wish all of you a very Happy New Year and a belated Merry Christmas. I hope all of you are doing well, and Ill be back and publishing this weekend.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and all my best wishes for the New Year.
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I wish all of you a very Happy New Year and a belated Merry Christmas. I hope all of you are doing well, and Ill be back and publishing this weekend.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and all my best wishes for the New Year.
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