Israeli Palestinian war continues with major Israeli offense, Live updates:

  Israel-Hamas 'Open War': LIVE UPDATES:   Israel Airstrikes hit Hamas Headquarters

 

 Palestinian militants kill 3 Israelis in rocket attack as Israeli military operation resumes:  The casualties were the first in Israel since it launched its operation on Wednesday with the assassination of Hamas' top military commander, followed by an onslaught of airstrikes and shelling by tanks and naval gunboats.

 Eleven Palestinians, including two children and seven militants, have been killed and more than 100 wounded in Gaza since the Israeli operation began. The fighting has deepened the instability gripping the Middle East. Egypt recalled its ambassador to protest the military operation. Just days earlier, Israel was drawn into Syria's civil war for the first time, firing missiles into its northern neighbor for the first time in four decades after stray mortar fire landed in Israeli-occupied Syrian territory.

  Israel: new major offensive in Gaza Strip:  Operation “Pillar of Defense” began with the killing of Hamas’ military commander using an air strike as he was travelling by car in Gaza City. This was followed minutes later by massive explosions throughout the area, as Israeli military forces blasted selected targets by land, sea and air. 

Around 10 people were reported dead, including three children, and some 40 were wounded by the attacks. The offensive shattered hopes of a truce brokered by Egypt following five days of violence which saw over 100 missiles fired by Palestinian militants and retaliations by Israel.

  Israel had agreed to cease strikes on targets in Gaza during Hesham Kandil's visit, but rocket fire continues; in public appearance with Haniyeh, Kandil denounces Israeli strikes, says Egypt will work for ceasefire.
 

 Although the Palestinians have failed in their attempts to strike Tel Aviv, they scored morale points with the pictures of frightened Israelis running for shelter. Although no one was hurt and there was no real damage – compared to the suffering in Negev towns -- the question is the influence those attacks had on Israeli decision-makers.

Israel's leaders launched the Gaza operation with the expectation that they wouldn't have to put boots on the ground. Now, with the rockets still flying, Israel’s leaders could be dragged in. Israel's forces building up around Gaza still have received no orders for a ground offensive, but the time to decide is approaching. If by the beginning of the week a cease-fire hasn't been agreed on and the air strikes have achieved all they can, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be closer to the moment of decision. 

* Hamas must stop launching missiles as it will only continue to antagonize Israel. This is what Hamas wants, hoping that Egypt and others will get involved on their side. We can not allow this to escalate if we have any say and we do. I know we have been saying the total middle east breakdown is coming for years but we must try to stop it if we can. I beliwve world leaders can prevent this but there seems to be no desire to. We must contain this and prevent the breakdown of the middle east from turning into world war three.

James Joiner

Gardner, Ma

http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com