Monthly Archives: June 2006

Operation Summer Rains: Israeli Armor on the Move

Details are pretty thin but here’s the update:

IDF tanks, heavy bulldozers and armored vehicles are on the move in the northern Gaza Strip, apparently towards Beit Hanoun. The operation is underway following the approval of Defense Minister Amir Peretz. Givati Brigade and armored corps soldiers are gathered in force near Beit Hanoun, prepared to move into the open areas surrounding the town.

Occidentality links to a great map of Gaza. I think I’ll add it to the research area of the sidebar for future reference.

Israel Holds 87 Hamas Political and Military Leaders

This really is unprecedented:

Israel has expanded its military operation against the Hamas-led government in the Palestinian Authority by embarking on mass arrests of senior Hamas officials before dawn Thursday.

Israel Defense Forces troops launched early Thursday a major arrest operation against Hamas officials, detaining 64 of the ruling militant group’s ministers and parliamentarians in the West Bank and 23 military operatives.

I wonder if these guys spew the same rhetoric when they’re in Israeli custody?

CAIR: Targeting of Gaza Infrastructure a ‘War Crime’

CAIR’s reaction to Israel’s self-defense is predictable:

A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today said Israel’s targeting of the Palestinian civilian infrastructure is a “war crime” that should be condemned by the Bush administration.

As is their reaction to the news that Palestinian terrorists apparently shot an 18 year old in the head:

 

That’s right. No reaction. Maybe they’ll have one in the morning. You think?

Israel Arrests Over 60 Hamas Leaders

The list seems to be growing rapidly. As I said this is long overdue:

In an unprecedented operation, the IDF arrested overnight Wednesday over 60 senior Hamas members throughout the West Bank, including ministers in the Palestinian Authority parliament.

Detainees included such senior figures as Finance Minister Omar Abdel Azek, Labor Minister Mohammed Barghouti, and parliament member Mohamemd Abu Teir.

PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh convened an emergency meeting of government members in Gaza early Thursday morning. An unofficial response said that, “”Israel is targeting Hamas’ political wing, which wasn’t involved in the kidnapping [of IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit].”

“Israel is heading in the wrong direction, and will pay for it,” the response continued.

The stakes are getting higher by the hour.

Update:
The total climbs…