Israel Matzav

Shell game

There's a shell game going on in Gaza tonight, and unfortunately the terrorists seem to be winning it, and the IDF seems to be losing it.

Tonight, the IDF admits that it has no idea where kidnapped corporal Gilad Shalit is being held. The lack of knowledge is "preventing a rescue mission," and on Monday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will consult with Defense Minister Amir Comrade Peretz and senior commanders in the IDF and Shin Bet domestic security service. They will discuss the continuation of Operation Summer Rains in the Gaza Strip and possible ways to rescue Shalit. How do you rescue the guy if you don't know where he is? And why didn't anyone think of this before the IDF pulled out of Gaza and gave up nearly all of its intelligence-gathering capability? (Actually, people did think of it, but no one in a position of power was willing to listen).

But don't worry folks, Uncle Ehud told Cousin Condi tonight that although there might be a little discomfort in Gaza, he won't allow a 'humanitarian crisis' to occur. Condi is real worried about the deteroriation in the 'security situation' and the 'humanitarian situation' in Gaza. Luckily, Uncle Ehud told her it will all be alright, and that's good, because if there was a severe enough 'humanitarian crisis,' someone might actually come forward and tell the IDF where Shalit is, and that would end the little shell game, wouldn't it? In the meantime, Shalit's humanitarian crisis continues - if he's alive at all.

Also tonight, a Syrian MP announced that Syria will do nothing to help free Shalit. I guess we're going to have to do a little more than buzz the chinless dentist's summer home if we want him to help us out, because apparently, unlike the 'Palestinians' in Gaza, he's not impressed by sonic booms.

It seems to me that someone in the Kirya in Tel Aviv had better come up with a better plan than 'this could take weeks or months.' After all, Comrade Peretz promised everyone that Israel would only keep its forces in Gaza 'for a very short period of time.'

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:27 AM