Even if Islamic Jihad is telling the truth when it says that it didn’t launch these rockets after the cease-fire, this latest barrage makes it clear that no one can or is willing to control the most fanatical jihadists in Gaza. But Ramadan Shalah, the leader of Islamic Jihad, just said that Islamic Jihad and Hamas that “we both coordinate all our moves together, in war and peace.” Is this not true of other groups? If not, then negotiations are useless, because these groups are out of control, and will render any negotiated settlement meaningless (as if it weren’t already). And if so, then negotiations are useless, because the “Palestinians” are trying to deceive Israel and the world into thinking they want peace even as they plot more jihad against Israel (as if that weren’t also already obvious).
“More rockets strike Israel, jeopardizing truce talk,” by Ibrahim Barzak for the Associated Press, March 14:
JERUSALEM — The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said Thursday it had agreed to halt a wave of rocket fire on Israel, signaling an end to the heaviest fighting between the sides since 2012.
However, soon after the announcement seven rockets fired from Gaza exploded inside Israel.
The Islamic Jihad denied it launched the attack and it wasn’t immediately unclear who fired the rockets. Cease-fire declarations have not always been honored by militants and the barrage raised doubts about the cease-fire offer made by Islamic Jihad.
The Israeli military said militants fired at least seven rockets Thursday from Gaza, with most coming in the evening after the cease-fire claim. It said its “Iron Dome” defense system intercepted one rocket.
Israeli officials previously refused to confirm any cease-fire deal was in place.
In two days of violence, militants fired some 70 rockets into Israel, while Israel has carried out a series of airstrikes in Gaza. No serious casualties have been reported.
Islamic Jihad leader Khaled al-Batch announced Thursday that his group had accepted an Egyptian-brokered plan to stop its attacks, if Israel agreed to a truce as well.
Earlier Thursday, the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad resumed rocket fire toward Israel, striking the outskirts of two major cities. A day earlier, it fired dozens of rockets in the largest barrage on Israel since an eight-day Israeli offensive in late 2012.
The Israeli military said it retaliated with renewed airstrikes on “seven terror sites” in southern Gaza.
“Since yesterday, there has seen a substantial deterioration in the safety of the residents in southern Israel. We have responded and will continue to do so in order to eliminate threats as they develop,” said Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, a military spokesman.
The early morning rocket attacks from Gaza set off air-raid sirens in the southern cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon. The rockets landed in open areas, but flew deeper into Israel than Wednesday’s attacks, which struck southern Israeli border towns.
Buraq says
Israel should take out a few of the top Hamas clowns and then say breezily that they were killed by renegade elements within the IDF who will be disciplined if found.
Larry S says
Some rather nice buildings they have there in Gaza. Be a shame if they were reduced to rubble- the same way the World Trade Center buildings in NYC were, with the enthusiastic support of so many of the people there.
Veracious_one says
the rocket firings are being used for ranging to be used for future rocket attacks (these rockets are of the point and shoot variety)…once the Muslims are satisfied with their calculations they will unleash a barrage of rockets into the most populated area that their rockets can reach….I suspect they’re planning to use their better programmable rockets to strike Israeli airfields to try to knock out Israel’s air capabilities and quite possibly Israel’s nuclear bomb storage areas…after all it doesn’t have to be Muslim nuclear bombs that blow up in Israel….the Muslims will never allow for peace to occur ,,,, peace is Un-Islamic….
Sovereign Man says
The Arab jihadists in Gaza do not possess the weaponry to threaten Israel militarily. Also, nuclear weapons do not detonate from other nearby explosions, as the way the shaped charges works must be extremely precise and perfectly timed. More than likely, most of the in-service nuclear arsenal is out at sea in submarines anyways, continuously pointed at Mecca, Medina, and other appropriate targets in case the mohammedans get a bit too rowdy.
However, the rocket attacks can cause chaos, lost productivity, and minor death and destruction in Israel, as well as distraction and discord. In the hands of the stupid and amateurish jihadists they are terror weapons only, as sustained and truly threatening barrages would be met and defeated with counter-battery fire immediately.
kikorikid says
You are a Taqiyya spewing Muslim Brotherhood operative.
Hamas is decidedly NOT amateurish. Hamas occupies
Gaza. Hamas is an armed faction of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Garry G says
None of that stops Hamas from being a mob of dumb, amateurish, backward savages.
Sovereign Man says
Wow, what an insightful comment. Hamas couldn’t militarily defeat my bowel movement. All they know how to do is attack unarmed civilians like the cowards they are. And yes, they are basically one and the same as the Muslim Brotherhood and any other jihadi Mohammedans. Maybe you should read and think before declaring someone a witch or whatever.
Salah says
“We have responded and will continue to do so in order to eliminate threats as they develop,” said Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, a military spokesman.
Wrong. You need to eliminate threats BEFORE they develop. Forget the U.N., the U.S., the E.U. and all the stupid “human rights” groups.
Kill jihadists BEFORE they kill you.
Bettina says
Israel has waged pre-emptive strikes in the past. Remember the 1967 war, which they had to conduct in defense against several of their Arab neighbors? And today still, Israel can eliminate top leaders of Hamas when it decides enough is enough.
But those dead are immediately replaced by others yearning for martyrdom, and for the satisfaction of their bestial gluttony by screwing 72 virgins as promised — that’s the actual spirituality of Islam.
Daphdong says
The only way to stop this is to for Israel to take back Gaza! Destroy the ability of these Muslim Brotherhood idiots and to start teaching the children to love life instead of death. Surely Islam is the Pale Green Horse of the Apocalypse with death riding it and hell following closely at its heels.
While they are at it, destroy the Kaaba in Mecca.
Sovereign Man says
I agree that Israel should simply run over Gaza. The brainwashed haters of Israel think that Israel occupies that territory anyways, so it will not change public opinion one iota. As well, the largest jihadi propaganda network, Al Jazeera, is in jeopardy as Saudi Arabia threatens to blockade Qatar if it is not shut down.
As far as destroying the Kaaba, that would not help, as it has been destroyed before. Only complete and utter destruction of the heart of Islam, that being the entire cities of Mecca and Medina, could shock the cult of mohamburger into temporary submission.
Defcon 4 says
“The Islamic Jihad denied it launched the attack and it wasn’t immediately unclear who fired the rockets. Cease-fire declarations have not always been honored by militants and the barrage raised doubts about the cease-fire offer made by Islamic Jihad.”
If the islam0nazis can’t control their outgoing rocket fire maybe Israel and the IDF should do it for them — rolling artillery barrages might be effect. Modern radar sets can probably triangulate the locations from which the rockets were fired pretty quickly and then a quick ToT will send the “unknown” islam0nazi rocketeers onto allah’s heavenly whorehouse.
Jerry says
This problem would stop if Israel rezoned Gazza as a parking lot.
Garry G says
Time to send more of these savages to join their pedophile prophet in Hell.