Re. Sderot, Israel
Since November 1, this part of Israel has been under
constant attack. According to an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman, some 110
Kassam rockets and mortars have been launched from Gaza towards Sderot. More
than 180,000 Israelis -- including the residents of Ashkelon, Sderot, Netivot,
and over 20 kibbutzim and moshavim -- now live under daily bombardment. Egypt
meanwhile has facilitated the flow of hundreds of thousands of weapons and
ammunition into Gaza since Israel’s disengagement from the territory in August
2005. Left to its own devices, Hamas has been able to build a well-trained,
organized army which numbers 13,000 fighters, most of whom have had special
training in Iran. Thousands more Katyusha rockets are ready to be launched
towards Israel in the near future.
Meanwhile, recent video footage shows that Gaza terror
cells launch mortar shells from school yards in UNRWA schools, knowing Israel’s
sensitivity about killing civilians. A senior IDF intelligence officer observes
that “Palestinian terror organizations continue to abuse the civilian population
in Gaza by launching attacks against Israel from their midst…They don't think
twice about firing Kassam rockets near crowded public areas, even though they're
fully aware that they're endangering innocent civilians." Due to the IDF trying
to avoid civilian casualties, a senior Israel Air Force Commander has confirmed
that the IDF has only been able to hit three percent of the rocket launchers. In
addition, the IDF is not even trying to kill or to capture the Gaza leaders who
give the orders to shell and terrorize Israel.
What does all this have to do with the Annapolis
conference? The answer, according to a senior IDF officer, is everything. So
long as Israel is conducting negotiations with the Palestinians, the IDF will
not enter Gaza -- not even to kill terror leaders. This non-response policy
represents a continuation of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s directive to
Israel, exactly one year ago, not to retaliate into Gaza. It also marks a sharp
break with past counter-terrorism policy. In the Spring 2004, for instance, the
IDF targeted and killed Hamas leaders Ahmed Yassin and Abdul Aziz Rantissi.
Today, its hands are tied.
The grim irony that Israel cannot retaliate even when
attacks from Gaza are that their most protracted is not lost on the residents of
Sderot and the Western Negev. They note the further irony that the Annapolis
summit is slated for the 26th and 27th of November, the date of the
American-brokered cease fire between Gaza and Israel. That so-called ceasefire
lasted until May 15, during which time more than 300 Gaza missiles were launched
against Israel.
Read on...
