From the Wall Street Journal,
Israeli defense officials confirmed their aircraft attacked Hamas security compounds across the Gaza Strip Saturday, making good on threats of a significant military response to recent rocket attacks launched into Israel by the Islamic militant group that controls the territory.
The extent of the raids weren't [sic] immediately clear, and whether the attack devolves into a prolonged military conflict between the two sides depends on Hamas' response....
The Israeli attacks Saturday caused widespread panic and confusion in Gaza, according to an Associated Press report early Saturday from Gaza. Initial reports suggest casualty figures could be high. In one Hamas compound, bodies of more than a dozen uniformed security officers were seen lying on the ground, according to the AP.
Israel's defense force in the early afternoon confirmed an aerial assault Saturday, saying it was targeting Hamas security compounds. There was no sign of an Israeli ground offensive, which would significantly up the stakes for both sides.
Since the expiration of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Hamas has launched dozens of rockets and mortars into Israel. ...
I have looked for data on income per capita for the residents of Gaza, but as one might reasonably expect, the data are sketchy at best. My suspicion is that Gazans are much worse off (in terms of income per capita) now than they were under firm Israeli rule.
When Israel controlled the Gaza strip, it invested in (and protected) business and infrastructure. Much of that has deteriorated and/or been destroyed since the Israelis withdrew from the Gaza strip. I wonder how many Gazans secretly wish Hamas had the same economic development strategies.
Update: for a slightly different perspective from what one might see in the mainstream media, see this.
Israel sent SMS messages to spare the innocent before attacking the coward islamic cowards trash of the earth called Hamas. The Hamas on the other hand intentionally attack civilians. The Hamas deserve to be bombed to hell by Israel. They are cowards who attack innocent civilians with rockets from far away. Not only that, all cowards moslems who attack innocent civilians deserve to have their penises cut and fed to their children. Death to Islamic Terrorist cowards. Go fuck yourselves! Death to Jihad ideology! Death to Cowardice and Terrorism! This is the real Jihad! the free people acting out of noble intentions killing the guilty cowards!
Posted by: The Free people who hate the cowars moslems | December 28, 2008 at 06:51 AM
It is always interesting to hear opinions from people who claim that Israel should sit by and allow terrorists to bomb its civilians, while Hamas hides behind women and children. Those who strongly believe this, would not for one second follow such a course if they were the ones being attacked by rabid racist haters.
It is high time the Palestinians got out of Israel. Why don't wealthy benefactors pay each willing Palestinian family some money in exchange for their leaving and also find another country and pay that country to take the family in. I'm sure that there are countries that would be willing to take some families and the world is a big place. That plan would effect something worthwhile and does not rely on endless, futile negotiations. As Palestinians watch their neighbors move away, they will be increasingly inclined to do the same and make something of their lives.
Why not ask them, Israel, while dropping flyers trying to help them save their lives?
Then, Israel would only have to deal with the usual malevolence of Muslim neighbors.
Posted by: Lance | January 03, 2009 at 05:32 PM