Israel launches air strikes on Gaza, 145 dead

[Steven]

Israeli warplanes retaliating for rocket fire from the Gaza Strip pounded dozens of security compounds across the Hamas-ruled territory in unprecedented waves of airstrikes Saturday, killing at least 155 and wounding more than 310 in the single bloodiest day of fighting in recent memory.

Hamas said all of its security installations were hit and responded with several medium-range Grad rockets at Israel, reaching deeper than in the past. One Israeli was killed and at least four people were wounded.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said "the operation will last as long as necessary," but it was not clear if it would be coupled with a ground offensive. Asked if Hamas political leaders might be targeted next, military spokeswoman Maj. Avital Leibovich said, "Any Hamas target is a target."

The strikes caused widespread panic and confusion in Gaza, as black clouds of smoke rose above the territory, ruled by Hamas for the past 18 months. Some of the Israeli missiles struck in densely populated areas as children were leaving school, and women rushed into the streets frantically looking for their children.

More.

[hypnotize]

I will never understand why anyone would ever support Israel. Hamas kills one Jew and Israel kills 155 innocent people, some of which were children. The US should withdraw all support!

[Danton]

Originally Posted by hypnotize

I will never understand why anyone would ever support Israel. Hamas kills one Jew and Israel kills 155 innocent people, some of which were children. The US should withdraw all support!

I couldn't agree more, and now this is what they get......

HAMAS THREATENS TO UNLEASH "HELL"

Hamas threatened to unleash "hell" to avenge the dead, including possible suicide bombings inside Israel.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Israeli air campaign was "criminal" and called for the international community to intervene.

Palestinians staged protests rallies in East Jerusalem, Ramallah and Hebron, leading to scuffles with the Israeli army.

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana called for an immediate ceasefire and urged "everybody to exert maximum restraint," his spokesman said.

Egypt also condemned the Israeli raids and said it would keep trying to restore a truce between Israel and Gaza. Arab foreign ministers were set to hold an emergency meeting in Cairo on Sunday or Monday to take a common position on the raids.

The White House appeared to put the onus on Hamas. "Hamas' continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop," spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

At the main Gaza City graduation ceremony, uniformed bodies lay in a pile and the wounded writhed in pain. Rescuers carried those showing signs of life to cars and ambulances, while others tried to revive the unconscious.

Israel warplanes bombed Gaza's presidential compound, which Hamas seized in June 2007 from Abbas's secular Fatah forces after a brief civil war.

Witnesses also reported heavy Israeli bombing along Gaza's border with Egypt. Palestinians use hundreds of tunnels under the border to bring in everything from goods to weapons, making them prime Israeli targets.

So what did those attacks actually accomplish Israel?

[Odin]

Why does israel respond in this way? This only makes everything so much worse. A few rockets does not make it ok to kill 200 people that had nothing to do with anything.

[Dreams]

Originally Posted by hypnotize

I will never understand why anyone would ever support Israel. Hamas kills one Jew and Israel kills 155 innocent people, some of which were children. The US should withdraw all support!

I agree! I hope Obama stops all money to them.

[Infinite911911]

If Canada was launching rocket attacks into America I wonder what we would do...

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by Infinite911911

If Canada was launching rocket attacks into America I wonder what we would do...

We would first issue a treaty with Canada. If that doesn't stop the attacks, we might either decide to send some missiles of our own or continue with diplomatic peace efforts to stop their attacks. I highly doubt though that Canada would even think about attacking the U.S., due to the fact that we are a dominant world power and have many allies.

[Drums of War]

Originally Posted by Achilles

We would first issue a treaty with Canada. If that doesn't stop the attacks, we might either decide to send some missiles of our own or continue with diplomatic peace efforts to stop their attacks. I highly doubt though that Canada would even think about attacking the U.S., due to the fact that we are a dominant world power and have many allies.

No one really thinks Canada would ever attack the US, I'm sure he was just using that as an example. But Achilles I think you're wayyyy off. Look what happened after 9-11, we set on a global war on terror. We didn't try and sign a treaty with the terrorists. The only way for these attacks to stop is to crush them to the ground. Hamas saw what happen to Israel two years ago and starting thinking they have grown weak. They didn't resign the truce and this is what they get. I feel sorry for the innocent people that are getting killed, but they elected Hamas, so I'm not sure how innocent they really are.

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by Drums of War

... Look what happened after 9-11, we set on a global war on terror. We didn't try and sign a treaty with the terrorists. The only way for these attacks to stop is to crush them to the ground.

The Global War on Terrorism was started like you said in response to the 9-ll attacks. My reply was meant to answer what the U.S. might do in response to an attack launched from Canada - not from the Middle East. And yes, of course Canada wouldn't launch attacks against us. Another thing, the U.S. would react differently if Canada attacked opposed to if terrorists attacked us. The U.S. knows that some of the Middle East is hostile, and wouldn't hesitate to try to wipe out people who would do anything in their power to crush the U.S. and kill its people - hence terrorists.

[Militant Poet]

Originally Posted by hypnotize

I will never understand why anyone would ever support Israel. Hamas kills one Jew and Israel kills 155 innocent people, some of which were children. The US should withdraw all support!

I agree. Israel is showing the world what they are really about. They have the Palestinians locked in a cage where they can not flew or get medical attention while they drop bombs on their heads.

[glentryst]

why does it seem the palestinians do not care the they and their families are being used by hammas?

[Alexandra]

Originally Posted by glentryst

why does it seem the palestinians do not care the they and their families are being used by hammas?

Because a majority of the people agree with Hamas. They are brainwashed from an early age to hate the Jew and wish nothing but death on them. When a mother is happy that her son/daughter is a suicide bomber something is wrong in the culture.

[Inverted]

Originally Posted by Steven

Israeli warplanes retaliating for rocket fire from the Gaza Strip pounded dozens of security compounds across the Hamas-ruled territory in unprecedented waves of airstrikes Saturday, killing at least 155 and wounding more than 310 in the single bloodiest day of fighting in recent memory.

Hamas said all of its security installations were hit and responded with several medium-range Grad rockets at Israel, reaching deeper than in the past. One Israeli was killed and at least four people were wounded.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said "the operation will last as long as necessary," but it was not clear if it would be coupled with a ground offensive. Asked if Hamas political leaders might be targeted next, military spokeswoman Maj. Avital Leibovich said, "Any Hamas target is a target."

The strikes caused widespread panic and confusion in Gaza, as black clouds of smoke rose above the territory, ruled by Hamas for the past 18 months. Some of the Israeli missiles struck in densely populated areas as children were leaving school, and women rushed into the streets frantically looking for their children.

More.

Israel is now getting ready for a ground invasion. Many will die for the stupid actions of a few who send rockets into Israel. Both Hamas and Israel are wrong in my opinion.

[glentryst]

Why is it OK for Palestinians to fire rockets at Israel but not alright if Israel fires back? If one mother looses her child in Gaza they do not seem to have any feeling if the same thing happens to an Israeli mother??? I do not understand these people. They just seem to love to kill. They do not have any regard for life!

[Patrick Henry]

Terrible. So sad.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=3b3_1230864719