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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Islamic Jihad reject appeal for calm
2005-12-28
The Arabic language has a word for 'calm'? Who knew?
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - The Islamic Jihad militant group rejected a call from Mahmoud Abbas to halt rocket attacks on Israeli towns - dealing a new blow to the Palestinian leader and prompting a new round of Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.

Abbas traveled to Gaza on Tuesday for talks with the militant groups, in part to halt growing violence along Israel’s border with Gaza. Israel has put heavy pressure on Abbas to stop militants from firing rockets.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, a participant in the meeting, said Abbas urged all Palestinian groups to honor a cease-fire reached with Israel in February. “We demand everyone be committed to the truce,” Erekat said. “We consider the truce a matter of high national interest.”
And then his lips fell off.
But Islamic Jihad, which has been responsible for most of the rocket fire, rejected the appeal. Spokesman Khaled Batch accused Israel of violating the cease-fire, and said attacks were the only proper response. “I think the continuation of resistance is what’s better for the Palestinian people,” he said.
"We shall have Dire Revenge™!"
Since Israel’s withdrawal in September from the Gaza Strip, militants have continued to fire homemade rockets into southern Israel. Although the rockets are notoriously inaccurate, more Israeli towns, including the city of Ashkelon, are in rocket range now that Israel is out of Gaza.

Late Tuesday, the Israeli air force dropped leaflets into northern Gaza, warning residents to stay out of areas used by militants to fire rockets. “Terror organizations continue to launch projectile rockets at Israeli territory from your neighborhoods,” the leaflet said. “Presence in areas used for projectile rocket launching puts your life in danger.”
"And we're more accurate!"
US State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said Israel had responded to attacks on its own territory. “What we would like to see is effective measures against such acts so that the measures Israel is taking are not necessary,” Ereli said.
Posted by:Steve White

#8  In what sense?

..unless the plan is to totally lay waste to every inch of Gaza to a depth of several feet.


One word: Outcry.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2005-12-28 20:48  

#7  Hazmat disposal costs are constantly escalating. It's hard to budget for the future cleanup
Posted by: Frank G   2005-12-28 16:44  

#6  That might be somewhat problematic though...

In what sense?
Posted by: Jung Ulitch9398   2005-12-28 16:36  

#5  This should be as straight forward as if Mexico started firing rockets into Arizona: scorched earth and land mines for as far as the eye can see.
Posted by: Darrell   2005-12-28 16:31  

#4  Airpower and artillery should be sufficient to accomplish what is necessary without unnecessarily risking Israeli lives.

Airpower and artillery won't locate and destroy those who are well-concealed or behind well-fortified defenses, nor will they destroy hidden arms and ammo caches unless the plan is to totally lay waste to every inch of Gaza to a depth of several feet. That might be somewhat problematic though...
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2005-12-28 16:18  

#3  "Honestly, I am grateful for the peaceful tolerant friendship you have shown me, yes it is price as marked."

You assignment is to translate into Arabic.
Posted by: Leon Clavin   2005-12-28 11:00  

#2  No invasion. Airpower and artillery should be sufficient to accomplish what is necessary without unnecessarily risking Israeli lives. Give them the Serbian treatment.
Posted by: Jung Ulitch9398   2005-12-28 10:22  

#1  Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, a participant in the meeting, said Abbas urged all Palestinian groups to honor a cease-fire reached with Israel in February. “We demand everyone be committed to the truce,” Erekat said. “We consider the truce a matter of high national interest.”

But Islamic Jihad, which has been responsible for most of the rocket fire, rejected the appeal.

No more pussyfooting around. Invade Gaza, root out and kill as many terrorists as possible, and locate and destroy as many weapons caches as can be found. If terrorists want to keep fighting, then bring the Big Club to the match and keep bashing them over the head with it until it's no longer possible for them to continue fighting.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2005-12-28 10:08  

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