Defiant Hamas hits Israel with dozens of rockets

Tuesday 30th December, 11:16 AM JST

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

› Login to comment

Latest 15 of 183 Total Comments Show All

Wolfpack at 01:01 AM JST - 1st January

A proportionate response to Hamas' use of Gaza as a base for lobbing rockets into Israel is whatever it takes to stop the rocket attacks. There would be no Israel reponse to the rocket attacks if Hamas were not launching rockets at Israel in the first place. That said, Israel is targeting Hamas and is not just shooting aimlessly into Gaza. But since Hamas uses civlians as human shields that leaves Israel with two choices: 1) allow Hamas to launch rockets indiscrimately at Israel until an inept government is overthrown by a terrorized people, or 2) respond to the provocation by targeting Hamas and the rockets.

Hamas purposefully uses civilians as human shields - they state this publicly and have no qualms about it. They are not only terrorizing Israel, but Palestinians. The sad and pathetic fact of this matter is that Palestinians have been taught to hate Jews so much, that they accept this situation and support Hamas anyway.
KhalMans at 01:57 AM JST - 1st January

At the end its going to be like last war, rocket firing will not stop and Israel has to think of another war to finish what she wanted to finish this time. After five days of bombardment still Hamas can irritate Israel and reach 40 kilometer deeper. I believe both are stupid and arrogant, they know they can reach their goal by using force and killing innocent people.
MikeBarrymore at 04:10 AM JST - 1st January

Anyone who isn't silly, knows that Israel are being beastly bullies.

Why oh why? Especially at this time of year. Now they are lining up thousands of soldiers to invade and slaughter the Palestinians.

BTW for those who say it is not genocide because there haven't been more deaths, well darlings, most have bomb shleters to protect against the terrorist attacks.
SuperLib at 05:57 AM JST - 1st January

We know, itcher. But really, what can we do? Maybe things will get better in the future. Best to not think about it too much.
rajakumar at 07:41 AM JST - 1st January

Correction- Israel has population of 7.3 million,
smithinjapan at 03:26 PM JST - 1st January

SuperLib: "What would you describe as a proportionate response?"

Not what was dished out.
Gavinova at 11:05 PM JST - 1st January

Superlib,

Non-sequitur. The question still stands: What would you describe as a proportionate response?

I think that Hamas military targets are okay. I do not think that Government buildings and Universities etc are military targets. There is NO EVIDENCE that they are being used for military purposes and a threat to Israel.

I tend to agree with Human Rights Watch statement;

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/12/30/israelhamas-civilians-must-not-be-targets

Firing rockets into civilian areas with the intent to harm and terrorize Israelis has no justification whatsoever, regardless of Israel's actions in Gaza...At the same time, Israel should not target individuals and institutions in Gaza solely because they are part of the Hamas-run political authority, including ordinary police. Only attacks on military targets are permissible, and only in a manner that minimizes civilian casualties.
apecNetworks at 07:48 AM JST - 2nd January

Wowwwwww......

I got a reaction from my post from US Agency personnel.

To Alchan:

Are you an "Israeli"? When Japanese researchers stated what you stated, they were considered "anti-semitic".

"....you are talking about $$$$, well, you do forget who control most of the fanancial markets in the world. Hitler did not finish his job, very rich jewish people support the state which will always support Israel......"

So, from what you posted, even if the US goes into a severe economic downturn, the people in the financial markets will support/fund military actions such as this episode - the US is not critical in the equation? So, even w/ considerable isolation, Israel can function w/ a fully equipped military and actions like Hamas have little significance? The background that you mentioned is extremely relevant to what is happening today.

They are using proxies to convey their message, but the one surprising emotion evoked was "fear". Doesn't make sense since even if the US is economically broken, the US would back Israel. However, the US support is more critical than I presumed. I don't think the Hamas attack w/ rockets compare w/ anything like f16s fully loaded.
AIchan at 10:39 AM JST - 2nd January

see, the thing you and the rest of the world seems hard to get is: Hamas are terrorist! palestine is not just like any other democratic country! you should read what I wrote last week, I said that the palastinian people had their chance to choose for a change: Mr. Abas or Hamas, they choosed hamas, they made their future way with a tettor group as leaders. now, you would like Israel to wait a year or two, the palastinien will have their f16 and more by then, and they will use it against CHILDRENS on busses, supermarkets, malls, train station and anywhere they can, the israeli people already experience it, Israel should not go back into this situation once again, The Israeli should save them self from those people! the only way right now is war- which is sad for both. the israeli army uses their best force gainst militains, terrorist, soldiers and makes a great job! as much as it possible. I mean, If you married to a terrorist, you have children with him, you sleep under the same roof , your chances are clear, you are going to be hit with your family, so DO NOT COOPORATE with terrorist! about the US, it is much more complicate than you wrote, as we open a new year with new goverment in the US and new prices for oil, the economy is hard to predict, but I am most ceartin that the US will back up Israel, is it continue to do now days by saying:"....avoide ceviliance...." which gives green light for the fight.

personaly for your question: I am not Israeli or Japanese, I keep my right to undiscover my identity, but I am not Israeli neither Japanese. I am very involved with the situation and wish to support Israel fight in any possible way! they have the right to protect their people! and that all they do! why do they use safisticates methoes , because they can, they should keep on figting anyone who wish to finish the Jewish race!
apecNetworks at 11:09 AM JST - 2nd January

To Alchan:

The US can't abandon Israel, or there would be serious repercussions. Also, you have Israel equipped by the US to fight Hamas, who have nothing but homemade rockets.
AIchan at 02:35 PM JST - 2nd January

homemade rockets? where do you get your information? I am warmly reccomand you to check other news networks! they have several sort of missiles, some of them can reach deep insisde Israel as the world could see in the passing week. and as I said before, and as the foriegn minister of Israel stated in france last night : if you give them time as we did in the past, the only theme for them is to get more saficticate wapons. so, should the Isreali army sit aside and wait for them to get as strong as they wish to?

more than that. to the world to know: Hisbala, hamas, and all other muslim extremers = Terrorist, are not going to be full and satisfite from just making Israel venish, they are here to KILL THE NEW WORLD, if you live in a democratic country know that after Israel gone, your country is next. Muslim people cannot stand freedom, they should have everything down in one way onley muslim and fanatic!!!!

I really dont understand how come all the world like to support them but non of their neightbor/muslim countries would open their gates/wallets/hearts and offer them the possibility to immigrate to their country. those countries are rich, they can support then with new housing and just as France/germany/England and other European countries let other muslim immigrations into their country and support them fully.

Israeli has no other Jewish country to go to, many Israeli every year leave Israel because of this situation, to canada and other non jewish countries, there is no option to the jewish people, not like the palestinians! many Israeli/jewish people will refuse to go overseas at all scared of nazisim. no easy way for jewish/Israelis around this world
USARonin at 06:51 AM JST - 3rd January

Breakin' News: The Israeli government just gave their OK for a ground assault of Gaza. They left it up to their military to do whatever they feel they have to do.
USARonin at 06:17 AM JST - 4th January

Breakin' News: Israeli ground forces have begun their move in to Gaza.

Hamas failed to knock if off even after 24-hours heads-up warning from the Israeli government that this would be the next step if they didn't.
USARonin at 06:50 AM JST - 4th January

Thenewfront, I don't know why you say I love war.

I've only told you what was gonna happen if Hamas didn't knock it off.

You felt Hamas is the righteous party in this affair - and in the real world outside of postin' in cyberspace - you would've encouraged Hamas to keep it up, yes?

You do know that what you and I post here in cyberspace means nothin', yes? Affects nothin', right?

Again, I told you what would happen. A (Geico?) caveman would've seen it comin'.
VOR at 07:10 AM JST - 4th January

you know you are right by their lack of tolerence