EDITORIAL: Targeting Israel, whitewashing Hamas

In a related story Mr. Bush overrode Miss Rice and told her to veto the resolution. Bravo, Mr. President. Boo, SECSTATE!

So many like you, supporters of Israeli morality in this war say, “Israel notified the Gazan citizens before the attack so they could leave.” Sure, they notified many Gazans by leaflet and cell phone messages. But when did this begin? On the same morning as the attack! [http://firedoglake.com/2009/01/03/gaza-ground-invasion/] & [http://gazatoday.blogspot.com/2009/01/day-8-of-israeli-war-on-gaza.html] And what were the impoverished Gazans supposed to do? Where were they to go? It's not just a matter of getting their car and getting on the Santa Monica freeway—although that would have difficulties of its own. Some say this late-term notification was designed by the Israelis the create more havoc. Or, perhaps, supporters say, “Israel displays their concern for life by the fact that they cease fire for three hours daily, in order that humanitarian supplies delivered.” But if you've been in the military you know how much time it takes a convoy of trucks to get started and ready to roll. I'd be surprised if they got half way to their destination before they had to stop again because the bombs started falling again. Maybe that's why there are reports that the Palestinians are only getting 10% of the supplies they need. People like you comment on this war like it was a football game--and I suppose with little distinction between the two.

IMHO, sometimes the NY Times gets it right. Fighter Sees His Paradise in Gaza’s Pain By TAGHREED EL-KHODARY Published: January 8, 2009 NY Times "At Shifa Hospital, ordinary people are squeezed between suicidal fighters and a powerful military........ "Dr. Awni al-Jaru, 37, a surgeon at the hospital, rushed in from his home here, dressed in his scrubs. But he came not to work. His head was bleeding, and his daughter’s jaw was broken.' "He said Hamas militants next to his apartment building had fired mortar and rocket rounds. Israel fired back with force, and his apartment was hit. His wife, Albina, originally from Ukraine, and his 1-year-old son were killed." The full story at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/world/09fighter.html?ref=world NOTE: For those unfamiliar with modern "counter-battery fire techniques" - Be aware that several allied nations share technologies that identify distant locations from which artillery is fired or rockets are launched so their return fire can be reasonably accurate. Of course if, Hamas is firing nearby a schoolyard or hospital ....

"But if you've been in the military you know how much time it takes a convoy of trucks to get started and ready to roll." I was in the military and I know exactly how long it takes to get "ready to roll", no more than 4 hours, and that's without prior notification that you'll be rolling out! 4 hours is as long I had to get signed in to my unit, sign out my truck and equipment, fuel it up, and be "good to go" when an alert was called. That was back in the mid 80's. Do you think that it's even harder now to be "good to go?" That's highly doubtful. If it takes you longer than 4 hours to marshal your equipment and be "good to go," then you have no business being in the military. It too bad for you that the relief effort was NOT a military effort, so that red herring is dead in the water. You need to remember that the relief convoys were ALREADY staged and were "ready to roll" when Israel opened the borders to allow the convoys to "roll ahead" and perform their mission. It was HAMAS who continued to fire on not only the Israeli military, but on the Israeli citizens DURING the "ceasefire." Hamas also did everything in their powers to STOP the relief convoys so that the "humanitarian crisis could continue, for propaganda reasons, of course. Hamas doesn't care about civilians, they believ IN civilians. According to Hamas, you're ether a member, or an enemy. Stop trying to deflect the blame away from Hamas, we all know who's at fault here. In case you're still confused, let me give you a hint: It ain't Israel who's to blame.

"Hamas doesn't care about civilians, they believ IN civilians." Correction: That should read: "Hamas doesn't care about civilians, they don't BELIEVE in civilians."

Israel has no concern for anyone except Israelis. Fully 40% of the dead and wounded are women and children, and to say that this is because Hamas uses them as human shields is not only callous but ignorant. This isn't a war, it's a slaughter. Death toll 900-13 in favor of Israel. Hitler taught them well.

khohnsen - In that case, why are they so stupid that they continue to poke the bear? If you are going to be a bear, be a grizzley my old man used to say. Oh, and FDR killed a whole lot of civilians. I don't recall FDR trying to count US civilian deaths in order to equalize the number of civilians killed on each side. If the civilians don't want to die, I suggest they join with the Israelis and start killing Hamas before Hamas causes their deaths.

The editorial vindicates the stand that Hamas is the root cause of the crisis. Ignoring the facts , UN resolution becomes a paper tiger

There are defensive and offensive terrorists. The Israelis are the offensive terrorists in Gaza; Hamas fighters are the defensive terrorists. Which is the more justifiable?

Who for six long years has targeted civilians with rockets, mortars and snipers, who has taken international aid of food and medicine, who has hidden behind civilians to fire off the rockets and mortars, who has received military training, funding and weapons from Iran and Syria, who has created hardships on their civilians, who has not created jobs or products (except rockets) for their people. HAMAS! Thus the blame for everything goes to HAMAS not Israel and the UN is too stupid to see the reality as they are too influenced by the Arab world which still does not recognize the State of Israel.