Israel Matzav

Hamas tries to pull a Hezbullah

This morning, the IDF managed to prevent a Hamas attempt at using Kassams to distract IDF soldiers on the Gaza border so that Hamas could kidnap IDF soldiers like Hezbullah did in Lebanon last summer. While the number of each is in dispute, Hamas shot in excess of ten Kassams (maybe as many as tihrty) and an indefinite number of mortar shells (maybe as many as fifty) at Israel's western Negev this morning. But IAF helicopters attacked the Hamas teams that intended to cross through the 'security fence' and foiled the plan. Hamas continues to talk out of both sides of its mouth, with 'moderate' 'Prime Minister' Ismail Haniyeh claiming that the cease fire hudna (which the 'Palestinians' have repeatedly violated) is still in effect, while his own 'military wing' claims it is no longer binding.

Meanwhile, defenseless 'defense minister' Amir Comrade Peretz has warned Hamas that the 'Palestinian unity government' is not immune from attack (which I am sure just has them shaking in their boots). The Olmert-Peretz-Livni government continues to promise 'restraint' in response to the continuing 'Palestinian' provocations, while Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman counsels correctly that 'restraint' is seen as weakness, but inexplicably continues to sit in the government and not follow through on his own advice.

Last Thursday, Haaretz reported that Hamas is supporting Kassam attacks by Islamic Jihad. But today's attacks go even further with Hamas actually taking 'credit' for them. If, as seems likely, Olmert continues to fiddle and not respond, the 'Palestinians' will draw the correct conclusion (that Israel's leaders are too weak to fight Hamas again) and up the ante yet again. Let's just hope that the Winograd report has the desired effect. It doesn't seem like much else has a shot at moving this government out to pasture.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:38 PM