Israel Launches Possible Protracted Offensive in Gaza

[Herschel]

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A major Israeli strike in response to the Ashdod attack had been expected. However, Sharon — himself a lifelong military man — had waited for Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz to return from abroad and present the views of senior generals before deciding on a course of action.


At the security Cabinet meeting, Mofaz advocated a series of "surgical strikes" against militants believed responsible for planning or carrying out attacks, Israeli officials who were present said. They said the campaign, including ground and air assaults, could last weeks.


Officially, Sharon's government said little, releasing only a terse statement: "Following discussion, the Cabinet decided on the security establishment's method of action against terrorist organizations."

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/latimests/20040317/ts_latimes/israellaunchespossibleprotractedoffensiveingaza

We may be seeing just the beginning. We wish the IDF well in their hunt for a bounty of killers. The IDF will cease when Israel feels their work is done.

[Resistance]

1. fighting terror with terror is wrong.

sorry to break it to you, Hersch.

But it is.

[Herschel]

2. Terrorists must not be emboldened

by any Israeli withdrawl. This may be a message to them.

[Offshore Bush]

10. I agree with you to some extent.

If Israel backs down, it will embolden the terrorists. But the terrorists have the same viewpoint vis-a-vis Israel. For that reason, I think America should force both sides to stop so that Israel will be able to stop without appearing weak.

[Trajan]

3. The 'work' ...

of killing arabs is neverending ....

While I despise the attacks against Israeli innocents, I somehow feel less than satisfied that military action against palstinian populations will be ANYMORE 'effective' than they have been in the past ....

Can you EVER really stop killing arabs ? ...

How many arabs exist ????

Must be the most unsatisfying task known to mankind ...

[Herschel]

4. These operations

are not directed to anyone based on being Arab. They are missions of justice.

[Resistance]

5. LOL

Seriously, bud - are you reading from a brochure?

[Offshore Bush]

11. I think he's joking.

He crosses the line. I can understand some of his views, but the way he expresses them is just over the top.

[Trajan]

6. Cutting through the innocent human flesh ...

to locate the object of 'justice' is hardly ennobling ....

[wildmanj]

7. beginning

you appear to be a very blood thirsty individual

[Darranar]

8. Who are "we"?

There have been predictions of offensives in Gaza for quite a while here. It seems there is some truth to them.

Nice to see that Sharon's withdrawal plan is in progress. :eyes:

[Herschel]

9. Indeed it may be

And these strikes may be a signal to terrorists that Israel remains strong, and will return to deliver justice if necessary. A withdrawl from Gaza does not preclude operations there.