Gaza First

With the holidays already here, people in major cities across the Middle East celebrate Christmas while others celebrate Hanukkah the Jewish festival of lights. In Jerusalem, Nazareth, and other Israeli cities with mixed ethnic populations you could even observe both holidays, which brings some hope for peace and a better life of togetherness.

Another reason for hope was the Israeli and Arab delegation meeting in Turkey, where Israeli Prime minster Ehud Olmert call for direct negotiations between Syria and Israel. Although not having been know to be skeptical, I was not satisfied and refused to express any relief. Talking to the Syrian’s would be mistake now. Not only because Israeli elections are due next month but mainly because of current situation. The IDF prepares to enter Gaza, and the connection between Hezbollah (supported by Syria) and Hamas in Gaza are strategically tightening.

And here is why. While in Turkey politicians are shaking hands, at the same time unfortunately, Israeli citizens across many villages, kibbutz, and the city of Sederot in South Israel, are hiding in shelters. As many as 70,000 people left their jobs and shut schools, fearing the constant rocket attacks flown in from neighborhoods in Gaza, directed by Hamas militants.

No less than 70 rockets hit Israel’s cities in the last 24 hours. Several cities in Southern Israel have suffered a massive rocket attacks, Grad-type rockets and other primitive missiles known as “Kasam”. With no choice left, a call for action against the chaos has been brought to the Israeli government. The Israeli defense cabinet, within the government, approved today the operation in Gaza, according to reporters from Haaretz Daily, which was suggested by the Israeli Chief of Defense Forces, Col. Gabi Ashkenazi.

Early Wednesday morning, one of the rockets exploded next to a playground in the village of Netivot, while other missiles made their way to Kibbutz Shaar Henegev. One family lost their house, 31 people were injured and children suffered from panic attacks. Damage was done to cars, public school playgrounds, and fire occurred in open areas.

The cease fire between Israel and Hamas signed back in June, expired last week, and after 24 hours of quiet and no-fighting agreement, Hamas gunmen made their way into the Gaza border and launched an attack against Israeli armed forces guarding the area. While the Hamas militants who tried to enter Israel, failed in their mission, they started launching Kasam rockets into cities in Sothern Israel.

Other spokespeople said the Hamas will agree to “resume” the ceasefire, if  new  conditions are met. One of them is a demand for an improved ceasefire agreement that also includes the West Bank.  Other negotiations will have to be on list of terrorists to be released from the Israeli prisons.

In a statement by Hamas’ military wing, Iz al-Din al-Qassam, a spokesperson warned that “thousands of additional Israelis will soon be within the range of our rockets if Israel continues with its aggression.” The Israeli air force targeted today several “hot-spots” of rockets factories in Gaza but the area conditions are tough and the mobility of the terrorists missile-firing team from house to house, fighting from backyards of innocent citizens make it hard for Israeli forces to launch a strike from above.

This is why I believe the Gaza problem must be solved first. Citizens in the area are facing great danger from Hamas leaders who aim to establish a radical Islamic government with crucial rules and intolerance for any western nation. Chaos is everywhere and the organization succeeds to gain international support, while at the same time attempting to capture strategic points  in the West Bank as well. Taking the Hamas down in Gaza and preventing its leaders from acquiring the West Bank needs to be Israel’s top priority. Nobody will do this service for us.

Happy holidays!