The Hamas propaganda here is ironic in light of the fact that Hamas apologists in the U.S. are claiming that Israel’s lack of casualties is a sign that its actions in Gaza are once again “disproportionate” and unjustified.
“Hamas claims rocket attacks are successful, Israel is covering up deaths,” by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik, Palestinian Media Watch, July 13, 2014:
Hamas is presenting Palestinians with a false picture of success in its ongoing attacks against Israel. On Hamas TV News, the host explained to viewers that the Israeli media “imposes blackouts on every place rockets fall, on every loss of human life and all damage to property.” He charged that “the Zionist media” is only telling part of the truth:
“We are certain that the rockets are hitting their targets with precision and that these rockets are causing deaths and casualties.” [Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), July 9, 2014]
In fact, Hamas has launched hundreds rockets and missiles at Israeli civilian targets over all of Israel and no Israelis have been killed. Most missiles have either fallen in unpopulated areas or been intercepted by Israel’s missile defense system, the Iron Dome, and Israeli civilians are following government instructions and running for safety during attacks.
Hamas addressed a similar message to Israelis in Hebrew as part of its psychological warfare campaign, stating that the Iron Dome is “a failed project”:
“Zionists! The Iron Dome doesn’t protect you! It’s a failed project. Ask Mordechai Shefer (i.e., Israeli scientist who opposed the Iron Dome air defense system). Ask those hiding in shelters.” [Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), July 10, 2014]…
Rob says
It is Israel’s concern for its citizens that is disproportionate.
United with Israel constantly appeals for funds for air raid shelters and the Iron Dome anti missile system is another measure protective of Israelis.
If you consider that Gaza was a territory handed back under a land for peace deal, one can believe that the lunatics have well and truly taken over the asylum!
John C. Barile says
Murderously frenzied lunatics, at that.
Rob says
The Palestinian habit of conflating the rocket launchers with the dense population of Gaza City is also a crock.
There is ample land in the strip outside of the City where military installations could be built.
Hamas deliberately puts its rockets in the city so it can cry foul when there are civilian casualties.
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
I wonder how the Iron Dome is really performing. This is an important technology, for us as well as Israel. It was only a few years ago that the president of Persia openly spoke of his dream to launch an EMP blast over America, which would be an unmitigated disaster leading to the loss of a large portion of our population.
Even the power industry is campaigning to spend $25 billion to shield the grid. I’m unsure what good that would do, given that all motorized traffic would stop, farming would grind to a halt, and millions would freeze to death in their homes.
When he spoke of his dream to a class filled with young Persians, they applauded.
Bruce says
My daughter-in-law was on business in Tel Aviv last week for Google. She watched first hand how the iron dome system actually does intercept rockets from Gaza although not nearly a majority of them. Her attitude was, however, changed from one of general sympathy for the residents of Gaza to one of admiration for Israel and how it uses brains and technology to safeguard its citizens while showing considerable restraint in responding… especially to the point of warning civilians in Gaza exactly where attacks will be taking place.
There is a qualitative and moral difference between the way Hamas attacks Israel and the way Israel responds. Those who would fault Israel or see equivalence in the two modes of violence are sadly uninformed.
Rob says
Does Iron Dome select targets and only fire at incoming missiles that are expected to hit built up areas?
Are the others are left to hit vacant land?
Beagle says
Yes, Iron Dome calculates trajectory and shoots the expensive interceptors at rockets heading for populated and strategic areas. Shooting at all the rockets would be cost ineffective. Smart missiles are far more expensive than dumb (unguided) artillery rockets.
mackykam says
Not sadly misinformed. Willfully, morally corrupt.
Jan Fourowls says
EMP’s a real danger, you’re so right, and one minimized by political leaders of U.S. I hope the ASW capacities of the Navy have improved over the post-cold war technology changes in submarines, and pray also that brave Naval officers and personnel might be the defense against EMP from a sub entering “third coast” Gulf coastal waters. It’s my understanding a sub can get from the Med to U.S. territorial waters, and certainly from Russia — USSR subs were the ones seriously feared for the U.S. during the cold war.
With the sellout of citizens’ national security by POTUS and his pro-Islam entourage, I hope he cannot without impeachment cripple the entire U.S. armed forces for defense of homeland shores, airspace and land — because we still have many talented and courageous patriots on duty who care about this country.
God bless the IDF (and all Israeli armed forces); God bless the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. “Eternal Father, strong to save …” (from the Navy hymn, a favorite of those like me who grew up as service “juniors” – only sometimes brats!)
But my primary hope, in a world with so many evil threats and daily mounting news of danger, has to be in my God. Because Muslims don’t have a real deity to comfort them, no wonder they do such crazy inhuman things — but it’s the lack of a real deity for their fake religion of death and destruction that is the source of the crazy violence they commit, so on and on their insanity goes in a circle.
There’s really no definitive explaining or understanding that subhuman level of crazy, mean, hateful, torturous, cruel, evil conduct found in Muslim terrorism, only describing it and seeking as best we can to educate people so we can go the better way instead.
Bezelel says
I still remember the the scuds and Israel showing massive restraint. The yapping dogs should be glad it’s not the Iron Fist. Yet.
John C. Barile says
Pity these people fed on a steady diet of hate and lies, a taste of human blood to incite bloodlust; all packaged in vengeful envy and the promise of spoils.
Jan Fourowls says
They definitely need a better (i.e., real) religion! I pray for their souls and their conversion, but I still opine about the evidenced evil of Islam based on its source book, the Quran, and the modern conduct of Muslim terrorists across continents.
There are reports from the mission field about occasional Muslims who convert because they grow sick and tired of the bloodlust. There’s also the obvious Stockholm syndrome affecting so many Muslims who capitulate to murderous jihadist leaders, either cowed at home and shrouded, or acting out with a fist in the air and rocket (or protest placard) in hand.
PRCS says
“fed on a steady diet of hate and lies”
They’ve got to be carefully taught.
John C. Barile says
Israel needs to mount a continual media counter-campaign.
umbra says
hamas terrorists in gaza, international media, UN, obama, EU and oic cannot protect you.
BC says
They would say that would they not. In fact it would be in Isreal’s interest to report every casualty to gain sympathy. Which is sorely lacking in the world media.
Silvia says
Those claims that we don’t have casualties (in the past it was “too few casualties”) are not only immoral, antisemic and inhuman, they are outrageous! Would they think the Brits or any other people in the same situation aren’t sympathetic enough because they are defending themselves effectively and those who attack them have lots of casualties????? We are guilty of being too successful at not being killed??? SCREW YOU!!!!
They are not even ashamed to say such outrageous things.
I’d rather be alive and hated any day than dead and liked for a second or two.
Silvia says
BTW BC, the “screw you” wasn’t directed at you but in general.