Israel Attacks Palestine, Retaliation for Rocket Attacks

I held off on posting this originally because I wasn’t sure if this might just all blow over after a few airstrikes but it looks like it’s escalating. About 24 hours ago, Israel began launching sorties against Palestinian rocket launchers and other security compounds that had been pounding Israel for a few days. After the initial strikes, it is claimed that the rocket attacks have been reduced by fifty percent. Israel launched strikes against a tunnel network that was used to smuggle guns in an attempt to stem to flow of arms to the Palestinian militants.

While the attacks have been limited to airstrikes from Israeli fighters, the cabinet has approved calling up 6,500 reservists that could be used for a potential ground invasion of the region. But already, 250 people have been killed in the attacks that show no sign of letting up. They have also led to anger in the rest of the Arab world as Syria has cut off all talks with Israel to try and broker peace in the Gaza strip while other nations have condemned the attacks. Ehud Olmert said that the attacks would continue into future.

This situation is very reminiscient of the Israel-Lebanon War in 2006 where Hezbollah militants fired rockets into the Northern portion of Israel which initiated a month long seige and blockade of Lebanon. It’s nothing more than terrorist organizations goading Israel long enough before they finally retaliate and then most of the Arab world acts as if the previous attacks never happened. Now…I’m no huge fan of Israel (I think they have just as much blame in the lack of peace in the region) but Hamas basically asked for this and they’re reaping what they sow. It’ll still be a few days before we see how all of this is going to turn out and if Israel will continue their attacks or back off, a decision that will most likely be made by judging the public opinion of the world.