Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza

[GMantis]

I'd have more sympathy for Israel if they weren't Hamas' primary source of support and funds in the 80s.

This is probably asking for a lot...but cite?

I'm not sure if Israel could be called Hamas' "primary source of support", but I also read something along those lines once... the bottomline is that Hamas was originally aided by Israel because the organization was seen as competitor and counterbalance to the PLO/Fatah. Of course, this was in times when Fatah was Israel's main enemy. Support the Hamas and weaken the Fatah. Divide and conquer.

Which worked rather nicely in 2007.

Except that Hamas wasn't supported by Israel in 2007, but 20-30 years earlier. Clearly another occurence of "The enemy of my enemy doctrine bites me in the ass".

It's still better for Israel than an unified Palestine territory.

[Earth]

The IDF are the real terrorists.

Both teh IDF and Hamas kill civilians.  The IDF targest Hamas and because of where Hamas operate from, they often kill nearby civilians.  Hamas on the other hand target civilians.

Who are the "real" terrorists?

If we're throwing around that nice buzzword "terrorist", then both fit the description. I don't exactly see how bombing a university counts as an act of "self defense".

[CARLHAYDEN]

The IDF are the real terrorists.

ROTFLMAO!

Now I understand your support for McVain.

[Frodo]

So, it appears that Hezbollah could intervene by opening up a second front in northern Israel if Hamas looks as if it is about to be vanquished.

Is Israel capable of crushing both Hamas and Hezbollah?  Or can it only handle one war at a time?     

[Kaine for Senate '18]

If Hezbollah intervenes, then the US should as well.

[War on Want]

If Hezbollah intervenes, then the US should as well.

No, interventionalism is stupid. Especially considering Israel could definitley handle a war against both Hezbollah and Hamas.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

If Hezbollah intervenes, then the US should as well.

No, interventionalism is stupid. Especially considering Israel could definitley handle a war against both Hezbollah and Hamas.

If it looks like Israel can handle it, then the US shouldn't do anything.  If Israel falters, though, then the US must intervene immediately.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Let Israel handle its own problems, Hezbollah intervening is not our problem.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Doubtful Hezbollah will do anything more than sabre-rattle.  They don't have the capability of invading Israel and if they shoot rockets off, I think the IAF can spare enough planes to make them and Lebanon pay for it.

Now if the IDF for some reason decides to sift through all of Gaza City with ground forces, Hezbollah might do something then, but the numbers of rockets that Hamas can fire have been declining.

Most likely scenario is that after a couple of days with no rocket launches by Hamas we'll get a cease fire and both sides will proclaim victory.

[Matt Damon™]

Ideally US marines would be on the ground backing Hamas.

[dead0man]

It would take actual nations attacking before Israel would be in any trouble militarily.  And not just the usual suspects of Lebanon and Syria.  It would take nations that are currently "good" friends of the US changing sides.  There would be no need for US intervention if just the Hezzies attack, or even all of Lebanon.

[Flying Dog]

The U.S. already has enough on its international plate to even begin thinking about getting involved in another conflict.

I, for one, am tired of these continuous cycle's of war-peace-war-peace-war....

Israel needs to finish the job now.

[Lief 🗽]

If Hezbollah intervenes, then the US should as well.

lolno

[CARLHAYDEN]

Ideally US marines would be on the ground backing Hamas.

Uh, you are really getting very strange!

[The Mikado]

So, it appears that Hezbollah could intervene by opening up a second front in northern Israel if Hamas looks as if it is about to be vanquished.

Is Israel capable of crushing both Hamas and Hezbollah?  Or can it only handle one war at a time?     

Answer: militarily, yes.  PRwise...there'd be a lot of video of angry widows and orphans on Al Jazeera from both Gaza and Tyre.

Serious answer:  Hezbollah won't do it.  And if they do, Nasrallah's a much worse tactician than I currently give him credit for being.

[Yamor]

Four Israeli soldiers killed last night, all by friendly fire. 3 were killed by a tank firing on a building used by the soldiers, killing 3 and wounding 24, one critically. Very high-ranking officers were there, and make up some of the injured, including  the commander of the Golani Brigade, Colonal Avi Peled.

[Јas]

And the estimated Palestinian civilian death toll yesterday was over 30. - Reuters

[dead0man]

All accidents as well.  If those bastards in Hamas hadn't started this stupidity those civilians would still be alive.

[Earth]

All accidents as well.  If those bastards in Hamas hadn't started this stupidity those civilians would still be alive.

Yeah, it's always hamas. Israel is innocent in this.

[Silent Hunter]

OK, these Palestinian medical officials who are giving the casualty figures- who are they actually?

[dead0man]

OK, these Palestinian medical officials who are giving the casualty figures- who are they actually?

Cousins to Saddam's Information Minister?

[Хahar 🤔]

OK, these Palestinian medical officials who are giving the casualty figures- who are they actually?

Cousins to Saddam's Information Minister?

Why is it your natural inclination to disbelieve anything that Palestinian authroities give?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Israel needs to finish the job now.

I wish they would, but they'd probably need US help to do a thorough job.

[Daniel Adams]

OK, these Palestinian medical officials who are giving the casualty figures- who are they actually?

Cousins to Saddam's Information Minister?

Why is it your natural inclination to disbelieve anything that Palestinian authroities give?

They've had little qualms about lying in the past. And they're the ones purposely targeting civilians, so they don't appear to be particularly honorable men.

[Waylander]

I think that it's slightly ridiculous that there's been almost as many Israeli friendly-fire deaths as have been killed by Hamas rockets/mortars.  Compare that to the number of dead Palestinians... and also take into account that the tallies show police as military.