Gaza: As Israel Hammers Hamas

Biblically, the Jewish state of Israel is a blessed land -- rich in culture, rich in heritage, in geography and in human capital. Historically speaking the Jews are a proud people, intelligent set of people doing many exploits in many fields of human endeavour around the world. The Israeli-Arabic age-long conflicts could be blamed partly on the Holocaust.

Before that horrendous time in human history, pre-1947, humanity was concentrating more on other mundane preoccupations. Late Adolf Hitler and his failed 'final solution to the Jewish question' horribly ambitious project provoked the exodus of the Jews in search of a homeland after losing millions of their fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts to the Hitlerite 1000-year Reich political madness.

Since Israel unleashed its "Operation Cast Lead" on December 27 last year against Hamas in Gaza, with a week-long aerial blitz, which was followed by a ground invasion, at least 1000 people have been killed and thousands wounded. With Hamas militants defiantly firing some more rockets and mortars into Israel, ending the war soon, despite diplomatic initiatives, seems a distant scenario.

There have lately been some outpourings of social solidarity in the form of organised protests from many capital cities in the world including Dakar in Senegal and Nairobi in Kenya. Yet the crucial question remained unanswered: Did Israel just wake up one day and started pounding Gaza aggressively? What really does Hamas want? Shedding the blood of the innocent Palestinians to score cheap diplomatic points? Or legitimacy?

Surrounded, border-wise, by hostile neighbouring countries whose extremist wings ceaselessly denounce Zionism Israel is proudly exercising her natural rights of existence, one that no human force can ever obliterate. In whichever way this expression of right of nationhood is done stands to logic. Thank God the military elements are heavily in her favour!

Today we are still witnesses to wars without end. The Arabs have never pretended about their hatred of the Jewish guts and the Israelis know this as much. But for their military ingenuity and audacity, conquering dissuasive war machinery the Arabs would have since annihilated them. It is against this background that the on-going war in Gaza involving Israel and Hamas must be situated and understood objectively better.

When Israel hammers Hamas (as is currently the case) the Palestinian civilians are used as human shields by the terrorrist group and that should be blamed for the high casualty figures on the part of the agressors (Hamas militants) and poor Palestinian civilians.

Hamas gracelessly overthrew the Mahmoud Abass-led moderate administration in 2007 in Gaza to the consternation of the world's political audience. Till today the Hamas leadership are regarded widely as a band of terrorists with many sovereign states withholding official recognition.

The 6-month Egypt-brokered peace truce between Hamas and Israel expired some months back leading to the Hamas flexing of weak military muscles. The Syrian and Iranian overt connection in the Hamas armament must be frontally addressed with terror links broken for good. The US role so far in the conflict is commendable: Hamas must stop firing the rockets for Israel to consider pulling back its troops.

The Israeli army is professionally doing what is strategically needful: delivering an uncompromising message that the existence of the Jewish state and her people is non-negotiable. Abandoning her nationals to the enemies who continued threatening their lives would have amounted to leadership irresponsibility. Hizbollah in Lebanon did it few years ago and they paid dearly for their folly, and now Hamas has chosen the bloody path and they are paying heavily for it.

The timing of "Operation Cast Lead" however is getting interested analysts a bit worried. With the US President George Bush having just a week left to stay in the White House heralding the Barak Obama inauguration and the Israeli general elections slated for next month of February it is questionable if political considerations were not the chief motivations for the launching of the war by Israel. Besides Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud opposition party is well ahead in the local polls towards the poll.

Whereas Hamas and the Arabs in general are fond of playing victim each time this kind of conflict erupts by showing off terrifying images of bloodied or killed children and the elderly to the outside world with the aim of drawing sympathy to their cause it is to be questioned why they are always the ones provoking Israel and wars.

While the sum-total objectives and targets of Israel are clear enough to the outside world -- stopping the Hamas rocket and mortar attacks on her citizens -- the main objectives of Hamas leaders and commanders are shrouded in mystery or at best confusing. Or do you seek to destroy something fundamentally and infinitely greater than you? Does that not constitute in itself a suicidal enterprise unworthy of matrydom?

Whilst the bellicose statements emanating from the Israeli leaders and Hamas leaders in exile or underground mount the sad truth remains that the Middle East has become a veritable headache, a constant distracting flash-point for the rest of the global community. A deep-rooted crisis that has thus far defied every solution thrown at at it ought to engage the full attention of stake-holders whose intolerant disposition makes a lasting peace deal imponderable to the average cynic. The renowned peace apostles like Yasser Arafat and Yitzak Rabin had died (with the latter suffering assassination) fighting for peace yet the concrete achievement of peace has remained as elusive as ever.

The final solution to the Palestino-Israeli conflict remains in the recognition of the state of Israel by the Palestinians in particular and Arab states in general. And the creation of the state of Palestine in due course. This will enable good neighbourliness and a sense of (statehood) belonging by both parties.

Ordinarily the Gaza war between Isreal and Hamas Islamic government could have been likened to the Biblical David vs Goliath battle that saw a small David, supernaturally re-inforced and empowered, taking on the giant of a man, the mundanely haughty Goliath. But in this case the reverse seems to be the case: whereas Hamas is substantially militarily a liliputian compared to the Israeli giant Tsahal arsenal the David in this conflict (Hamas) is one devoid of divine support, or one whose divine support is questionable, so Goliath, Israel, with an awesome military might at her disposal must triumph.

Long live Jerusalem, long live the Jews!! Down with Hamas!!! Down with those seeking the destruction of the God's own people!!!

SOC Okenwa

soco_abj_2006_rci@hotmail.fr

Robot  # 1 | 15.01.2009 03:40

Gaza: As Israel Hammers Hamas Biblically, the Jewish state of Israel is a blessed land -- rich in culture, rich in heritage, in geography and in human capital. Historically speaking the Jews are a proud people, intelligent set of people doing many exploits in many fields of human endeavour around the world. The Israeli-Arabic age-long conflicts could be blamed partly on the Holocaust. Before that horrendous time in human history, pre-1947, humanity was concentrating more on other mundane preoccupations. Late Adolf Hitler and his failed 'final solution to the Jewish question' horribly ambitious project provoked the exodus of the Jews in search of a homeland after losing millions of their fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts to the Hitlerite 1000-year Reich political madness. Since Israel unleashed its "Operation Cast Lead" on December 27 last year against Hamas in Gaza, with a week-long aerial blitz, which was follow...Read the full article.

akuluouno  # 2 | 15.01.2009 03:54

Dear SC Okennwa, Ordinarily the Gaza war between Isreal and Hamas Islamic government could have been likened to the Biblical David vs Goliath battle that saw a small David, supernaturally re-inforced and empowered, taking on the giant of a man, the mundanely haughty Goliath. But in this case the reverse seems to be the case: whereas Hamas is substantially militarily a liliputian compared to the Israeli giant Tsahal arsenal the David in this conflict (Hamas) is one devoid of divine support, or one whose divine support is questionable, so Goliath, Israel, with an awesome military might at her disposal must triumph. Long live Jerusalem, long live the Jews!! Down with Hamas!!! Down with those seeking the destruction of the God's own people!!! SOC Okenwa This indeed is the summary of the whole thing. Let all Nigerians who have ear hear it and try to emulate Israel's foreign policy and ways so that we can drag this comatose giant of Africa out of its dyin bed to better life.

Mikky jaga  # 3 | 15.01.2009 04:31

The only language these senseless militants understand is maximum force. Let Israel move back to Gaza, flush out any trace of Hamas. If there is any Palestinian remaining after that and that want to live peaceably with its neighbour, let Israel give such self government. One of these days, the rest of Nigeria will be strong enough to send an unequivocal message to the Hamas' counterpart in Nigeria that it is better to live in peace with your neighbours. The annual human sacrifice in the name of religion will not be condoned forever.

Gbenga  # 4 | 15.01.2009 05:02

The Israeli-Arabic age-long conflicts could be blamed partly on the Holocaust. With the greatest of respect, i'll advise you to stick to subjects you are most competent in. The above quote from your article can be said to be misleading in the least. The arabs had nothing to do with the holocaust, and your statement seeks to place the blame of an historical evil on people who had totally nothing to do with it. To approach the topic you have tried to write on a thorough understanding of the creation of the modern middle east and also events that led to the mass extermination of jews in europe will be required. As a starting point in the understanding of the Isreali -Arab conflict, i'll refer anyone intersested to read the book: A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East by David Fromkin.

olivio  # 5 | 15.01.2009 10:26

this article reflects a missunderstanding of the history and sittuation in israel/gaza. dont get carried away by some mythological narrative that defines the good and bad guys unless you are also prepared to accept that as a 'goy', you are second in the eyes of the god that rules in this narrative.

Native  # 6 | 15.01.2009 10:30

Please Pause A Moment, Reflect Back And Take The Following Multiple Choice Test. The Events Are Real. So Are The Answers 1. 1968 Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed by? a. Superman? b. Jay Leno? c. Harry Potter? d. a Muslim male extremist between the ages of 17 and 40? 2. In 1972 at the Munich Olympics, athletes were kidnapped and massacred by? a. Olga Corbett? b. Sitting Bull? c. Arnold Schwarzenegger? d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40 ? 3. In 1979, the US embassy in Iran was taken over by:? a. Lost Norwegians? b. Elvis? c. A tour bus full of 80-year-old women? d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40? 4. During the 1980's a number of Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon by:? a. John Dillinger? b. The King of Sweden ? c. The Boy Scouts? d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40? 5. In 1983, the US Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by:? a. A pizza delivery boy? b. Pee Wee Herman? c. Geraldo Rivera? d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40? 6. In 1985 the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked and a 70 year old American passenger was murdered and thrown overboard in his wheelchair by:? a. The Smurfs? b. Davey Jones? c. The Little Mermaid? d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40? 7. In 1985 TWA flight 847 was hijacked at Athens, and a US Navy diver trying to rescue passengers was murdered by:? a. Captain Kidd? b. Charles Lindberg? c. Mother Teresa? d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40? 8. In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed by:? a. Scooby Doo? b. The Tooth Fairy and The Sundance Kid? d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40? 9. In 1993 the World Trade Center was bombed the first time by:? a. Richard Simmons? b. Grandma Moses? c. Michael Jordan? d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40? 10. In 1998, the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by:? a. Mr. Rogers? b. Hillary Clinton, to distract attention from Wild Bill's women problems? c. The World Wrestling Federation? d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40? 11. On 9/11/01, four airliners were hijacked; two were used as missiles to take out the World Trade Centers and of the remaining two, one crashed into the US Pentagon and the other was diverted and crashed by the passengers. Thousands of people were killed by:? a. Bugs Bunny, Wiley E. Coyote, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd? b. The Supreme Court of Florida ? c. Mr. Bean? d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40? 12. In 2002 the United States fought a war in Afghanistan against:? a. Enron? b. The Lutheran Church ? c. The NFL? d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40? 13. In 2002 reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered by:? a. Bonnie and Clyde ? b. Captain Kangaroo? c. Billy Graham? d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40? Nope, I really don't see a pattern here to justify profiling, do you? So, to ensure we Americans never offend anyone, particularly fanatics intent on killing us, airport security screeners will no longer be allowed to profile certain people. They must conduct random searches of 80-year-old women, little kids, airline pilots with proper identification, secret agents who are members of the President's security detail, 85-year old Congressmen with metal hips, and Medal of Honor winning and former Governor Joe Foss, but leave Muslim Males between the ages 17 and 40 alone lest they be guilty of profiling. Let's send this to as many people as we can so that the Gloria Aldreds and other dunder-headed attorneys along with Federal Justices that want to thwart common sense, get the message . As the writer of the award winning story "Forrest Gump" so aptly put it, "Stupid is as stupid does." Come on people wake up!!! Keep this going. Pass it on to everyone in your address book. Our Country and our troops need our support. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Truebeliever  # 7 | 15.01.2009 10:45

Your write up has clearly shown what you are, A DIE-HARD ENEMY of Muslims and their religion.If you are happy with what is happening in Gaza, you are not a human being you are an animal in human shape. you are IGNORANT as per as history is concern, when the rest of the worlds harass the Jews it is only the Arab gave them shelter.

Noortje  # 8 | 15.01.2009 11:00

The Arabs were not responsible for the holocaust. The ongoing problems in the middle east are the results of Western Manipulation. Arabs and jews had ben living in the region, including north Africa for several years sometimes peacefully, other times not so peacefully. Islam, Judaism and Christianity are three legitimate religions, that evolved in the area and it is very misleading when people think or propagate the notion that Arabs/Muslims are irrational. Are you aware that several Palestinians, who had nothing to do with the holocaust are born, raised, and die in refugee camps? I wonder why the Europeans did not carve out a territory in Europe for Jews who wanted their own state? They kicked the jews our and forced arabs to give up their land and Israel in my opinion, continues to alienate her neighbours. This is what happened in Liberia. The breakdown in Liberia resulted from having returned slaves who formed an upper class and refused to integrate with the society. Also a western manipulation. "Down with Hamas, wipe out Palestinians". Where is your compassion? I do not believe that it is God's will for Israel to wipe out the Palestinians. God made us all in His own image and cares for all of us , Christian, muslim, jews, black, white, arab, and so on personally. And when God is on both sides, wars go on for ever. I do not see an end to the conflict unless Israel learns to coexist with her neighbours and realizes that they are rational human beings too, who want what everyone wants. Peace, security and family.

olivio  # 9 | 15.01.2009 11:10

i dont sense a whole lot of love, care, or kindness in this post. while individually the items you list in your quizz are factually correct and having lived in nigeria i appreciate the problems of moslem (and through this all religious) exremism, it mixes issues, as the palestinian response to undeniable suffering and dehumanization does not require a religious or even cultural explanation. given the right conditions, (and the palestinians conditions are about as right as one might anticipate) even monks might respond violently. what better symbolizes helplessness than stoning tanks?

Mikky jaga  # 10 | 15.01.2009 11:31

=Noortje;313401> I do not see an end to the conflict unless Israel learns to coexist with her neighbours and realizes that they are rational human beings too, who want what everyone wants. Peace, security and family. Rubbish, utter Rubbish!!! What Israel wanted when it withdrew from Gaza was to have Palestinians that will live peacefully as its neighbours. But what did it get? A bunch of blood thirsty fellows calling themselves Hamas who saw nothing wrong in shooting rockets at defenceless Jews. Such types of people do not deserve to live. If Israel can clinically exterminate the remnant of such irrascible fellows, the safer the world will be for us all.

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