AS ISRAEL PULLS OUT OF GAZA, HAMAS FIRES ROCKETS INTO ISRAEL

If this weren't so pathetic, and I weren't Jewish, I'd laugh at the cabal of clowns - Livni/Olmerde (*spit*)/Barak Hussein. Loathsome worms - Standup! Get up! Stand up for your life! You let a coward beat cha!

Gaza rockets continue pounding southern Israel (China Daily)

They are still firing rockets? So what was the point of going into Gaza? What'd I miss?

Rocket fire wounds three in South Hamas fired 19 rockets at southern Israel on Sunday. One struck the yard of a home in Ashdod and caused two shrapnel injuries..

Article: Rocket fire wounds three in South

There is one good thing that will come out of Israel's unconditional surrender - hudna ceasfire: Likud will win the elections. The Jews do not want not send their precious sons and daughters into hellfire for nothing.

Israel begins pulling troops from Gaza; soldiers say 'could have done more' YNET hat tip 3***zero

 Infantrymen leaving Gaza pursuant to Saturday's cabinet decision think cessation of operation too hasty, say IDF could have and should have crushed Hamas will to shoot rockets at Israel

Cleared for publication: The IDF began pulling some of its troops out of the Gaza Strip Sunday, following Israel's decision on a unilateral ceasefire. The troops redeployed to areas near the security fence.

Among many soldiers in the field, many of whom have been pulled out in the past several hours, Israel's declared truce appears to constitute a missed opportunity to crush Hamas' will to fire at Israeli civilians. Some reservists reported, though, that Hamas appeared weak.

"We could have done a lot more. There's a feeling the operation ended too early," one soldier told Ynet. He and his colleagues are staying alert in an attempt to block ceasefire violations – rocket fire – by Hamas or other Palestinian organizations.

These soldiers maintain that an operation such as Cast Lead should leave Hamas "devoid of desire" to continue aiming rockets at Israel. "We can continue without a problem, in urban Palestinian areas, in Gaza City or anywhere else. All they need to do is tell us to," soldiers said.

Soldiers leaving Gaza (Photo: AP)

Moreover, many wonder why troop presence has been reduced without any sort of formal resolution. "I'm sure any reservist would be willing to give another month if he knew that, at the end, (kidnapped soldier) Gilad Shalit would be returned home," said one reservist. P>

Many reservists also said that they had expected a much fiercer enemy. "It's been pretty quiet. The regular troops did a good job here and, honestly, there were few incidents (of gun battle) during the week that we were there," said one reservist.

"The army used a lot of fire power to cover our backs," reservists said, noting the vast damage in urban Gaza. "Unfortunately, the ones paying the price are the Palestinian civilians, many of whom have been left without homes or infrastructure."

There's more and then there's this:

Israeli Soldier in Gaza Talks: We Want to Finish the Job Israel National News

Email readers: click here to listen to the IDF soldier from Gaza

(IsraelNN.com) An IDF soldier in Gaza speaks of enemy attempts to kidnap soldiers into tunnels, the special boost that letters from back home give him and his friends, the incredible motivation displayed by his comrades-in-arms, and more.

Aryeh, a former hesder yeshiva student and a soldier in reserves who spent a week fighting terrorists deep inside northern Gaza, spoke with IsraelNationalRadio’s Yishai and Malkah Fleisher on Thursday about his personal experiences during the war.

IDF Soldier in Gaza Speaks Out

I’ve been in Gaza for a week; medics and others in my unit went in a week earlier to get the lay of the land. We’re in an armored reconnaissance unit, which means we are infantry that goes in front of the tanks, first of all to clear a path, either in open area or clearing houses in built-up areas, making sure there are no anti-tank forces against us, and secondly, we scout ahead and point out targets for the tanks…

The army was very tight with us about security – they took away our cell phones, made sure we don’t have cameras, etc.

When we actually went in, it was very surreal. On the Israeli side, even with all the rockets and shells falling around us, you sort of feel safe - but when you cross over, you feel like you have left the safe cover of Israel. … You hear a lot of booms, mostly from our jets and copters and tanks and things. The first kilometer or two was open area, and then, when we got to the built-up areas, it really was pretty scary. There are snipers and stuff – but there were two things that were particularly hard for me. One is that almost every single house is booby-trapped – even with families inside! Because it looks good on the news [against Israel] to have a whole family killed… the people are forced to stay there, or sometimes they stay on their own – this is insane, we can’t comprehend this... It’s scary kicking in a door and thinking that the entire house might collapse on you.

Fear of Being Snatched
But even more scary is the fact that there are tunnels everywhere in Gaza – not just the ones that people know about in southern Gaza. I don’t know how many there are, but there are tunnels between houses and headquarters and the like, not only for reinforcements but also because one of their main goals is to kidnap soldiers. That is really terrifying. You see a bush and suddenly the bush moves and a hand sticks out, trying to grab a soldier’s leg and pull him inside. It happened a lot… Or we’re in a house trying to get some sleep, and you don’t know if a floor tile will suddenly move and someone will try to grab you. So on the one hand, you try to sleep very little, but we also work very closely together, looking after each other, helping each other, and certainly not doing anything by oneself…

The Old-Man-and-the-Cane Trick
The top Hamas guys are dug-in and hiding pretty well under hospitals and schools, and they don’t even know what’s going on outside. We’ve cut their phone lines, including cell phones, and they communicate by sending children with notes to each other; we’ve caught kids carrying notes. We once saw an old man hobbling down the street with a cane, looking very bent over and wretched, and when he saw Israeli soldiers, he suddenly threw away the cane, ran over to them and tried to blow himself up on them; the soldiers were able to shoot him first.

No Concern for Life
[Asked what the feelings seem to be among the Arabs:] The mindset of the enemy is so alien to us; by us, the death of any one soldier is terrible, a national tragedy – but by them, it seems that they want as many deaths as possible. In Israel, schools even dozens of kilometers from Gaza are closed in order to minimize the risk, which is pretty small – but in Gaza, where there are bombs all over the place all the time, we’ve seen kindergartens filled with 150 or 200 children, and the kindergartens are boobytrapped! They even shoot rockets from inside mosques and these places…

We Want to Finish the Job
The soldiers’ morale is very high, and all of them definitely believe that the war is just and important. No one likes fighting; people want to be with their families. I’ve seen some 35-year-old guys almost crying about how much they miss their families – but at the same time, no one wants to leave now. Of all sectors, it’s the soldiers who do not want a ceasefire, not because we want to fight but because we know the job is not finished yet. We don’t want to have to go back again in a year or two or three. The soldiers want to stay and finish the job, they really do… I think there has to be a hard push against Hamas, even harder than we have done until now; this will take a real sacrifice, we know - but to think that we might leave and the rockets will still fall, what did we do??! Killing 900 terrorists out of 20,000 is just not enough, we have to really decimate their ranks in order that they should know that they should leave us alone…

True, Gaza is now largely in ruins, but they’ll get lots of money to rebuild, and they’ll use a lot of the money to get more weapons as well. We have to go in deeper and stronger, and make them understand that it’s just not worth it. In addition, I think we can’t leave without Gilad Shalit; it would be terrible if not.

We Feel the Hand of G-d
[Asked about how spirituality and faith in G-d plays out:] Well, I would say that everyday religion is one thing; we take things for granted, we pray every day, some people concentrate more and some concentrate less… But here – you live it, you absolutely live it. Secular soldiers are whispering prayers, everyone wants G-d to be there, and we do feel it - we have seen the hand of G-d; we have been very fortunate, you can see it and feel it... [Regarding packages of sweets that the soldiers receive from the home front:] Even though we’re often hungry, the first thing a lot of soldiers go for in the packages that is not the food, but rather the letters and words of support. You can’t imagine what it does for us to read them… I have about nine of the really special ones, and when I had a little time, I would go over to some corner and pull them out and read them… They give so much strength…

I just want to tell this really special story that happened to me: Some of the letters have phone numbers on them, so I called one of them to thank her for her letter - an 8-year-old girl named Eden. Eden told me that she was so happy I called and that she had just been in the hospital for an ear operation… But then her mother got on and she was all emotional and told me, “It’s so amazing that you called because Eden’s two older sisters received calls of thanks from soldiers, and she was feeling sad that no one called her - and now you called!”

UPDATE: Hamas Claims 'Great Victory'

A senior Hamas official has described the Gaza conflict as a "great victory" for Palestinians.

In a televised speech Ismail Haniya, the Prime Minister appointed by Hamas in Gaza, said: "God has granted us a great victory, not for one faction, or party, or area, but for our entire people.

"We have stopped the aggression and the enemy has failed to achieve any of its goals."

His comments came as Israel began withdrawing troops from the Gaza strip.

Hamas has joined the ceasefire in Gaza - but said it will resume hostilities unless Israel withdraws all its troops from the area within a week.

It has been welcomed by US President-elect Barack Obama, who takes office on Tuesday.

UPDATE 1/20 1:30pm Bibi weighs in:

Likud head MK Binyamin Netanyahu, who is considered likely to lead Israel after the coming elections, said Sunday afternoon that “the IDF has dealt Hamas some very hard blows on the head, but regrettably the job has not been finished.”

"Hamas still controls Gaza and it will continue to smuggle new missiles in through the Philadelphi Route,” Netanyahu said. “I believe that in the face of Hamas's terror and its Iranian backing, we must show no weakness and we must show a resolute, iron fist, until the enemy is vanquished.”

Comments

[onepistoffyid]

The most infuriating aspect of the West's reaction to the global Jihad, of which Gaza is only a small part, is the "triangulation of blame" between Muslim, Christian and Jew. The Jihadists misbehave, and, so-called Christians do what they have always done-Blame the jews. From Jimmy Carter to Michael Scheur to Pat Buchanan, this is becoming more fashionable daily. The Byzantines tried this form of seductive denial and transferance, and now they are relegated to the dustbin of history. The Global Jihad remembers it's history, the West does not. Who will win?

[kobi]

freund, from 'fundamentally freund' on arutz sheva says:

ceasefire= we cease, they fire

[NormanF]

Israel has politicians who do not believe in G-d and the Land Of Israel which He promised the Jewish people as their possession. They believe in themselves. Israel has a beautiful and proud people but has inept, corrupt and cowardly politicians. I wouldn't dignify them with the label "leaders." Never has there been such a disconnect between the people and their government. I'll be glad when the three of them are gone.

[Revnant Dream]

Israel is here to stay no matter what the world thinks. Its a promise from G-D. Unhapply this war will just continue in probably months. Hudna will just allow them more time to arm with worse arms.
JMO

[onepistoffyid]

Look at the recent pictures of the Melbourne demonstration on Gates of Vienna.....look at all the white bread leftist Aussies protesting against the jews. The Jihad gives the Christian anti-semite the perfect cover....do they know they are next? Do they care?

[onepistoffyid]

Where were all these demonstrators when Russia was slaughtering civilians in Georgia? How about Darfur? Is it me or does it seem as if there is a very selective sense of global outrage? What is the true agenda here?

[Underzog]

This fear of world opinion is idol worship in its worst form.

I thought idol worship was punishable by death in Judaism.

I can't imagine a death penalty for some harmless idol worship such as Buhadism, but this peace process idol worship and world opinion idol worship is costing scores of Jewish lives.

Something must be done to put this peace process idol worship at an end.

[Bob A.]

I am not Jewish and can't laugh because it is pathetic. I believe that Israeli leaders caved in to unjust world opinion. Not so much by citizens of western civilization as by their liberal political leaders and media. I believe most Americans, Britons, Australians etc. believe in Israels defense of itself but now lack the will to stand up against their "leaders" and I use the term "leaders" loosely. Perhaps B. Hussein Obama will be the straw that breaks his own camels back. Certainly I am not alone in feeling this way.
Bob A.

[GOE-HI]

I must say ; I am appalled by the overt apathy of many American Jews ,over standing up for and supporting Israel in these current and recent events . Yet mention the 'inauguration' of Obama
and they become giddy and talkative and very animated . They also seem surprised that non-Jews are highly motivated to stand up for Israel , as if only Jews should have any concern at all , and they do not . They were more concerned about why a Gentile might be using a shofar at a time other than Rosh Hashana , than hoping and praying for the IDF in battle and the future survival of those
Israelis in southern Israel under Hamas rocket fire . I know that those in Israel appreciate the support of the American Diaspora , yet many of these Diaspora should be ashamed at how little they care about Israel ,or the brave and good Jews who live there. If they cannot see beyond their Obamaism , at least get out of the way of we who ARE willing to put our boots on and get out there and STAND UP for Israel ! Shalom

[INC]

I'm a Gentile Christian who supports Israel. Antisemitism is heartbreaking to me. I also take seriously what G-d has said about those who curse Israel and touch the apple of His eye. I think this is the case with many conservative Christians. Last week at a women's meeting at our church, an elderly lady (because of her age I didn't expect her to be too aware of current events) brought Israel and reminded us to pray for Israel.

[Toward the Right]

Such dear men. It's hard to keep a dry eye when you know what they've been through and will go through again because of their negligent and idiotic leadership.
At least Sarcozy is insisting that Gilad Shalit be part of the deal, something Olmert didn't do. I'd go get him myself if I didn't have little ones.

[INC]

s/b brought Israel up at the meeting!

[Mystical Time Traveler]

I wonder if the IDF will be back in Feb when Olmert and company are finally out of office. Will the next PM finally finish the job?

[Crusty]

I just read that Saudi Arabia is donating $1 billion to Palestine to rebuild their homes, buildings, infrastructure. How much of that is going to wind up in Hamas' hands so they can buy more weapons to launch at Israel in the next go-around of violence??

Hamas attacks Israel. Israel attacks Hamas. Gaza gets a bailout. Hamas uses the money to buy weapons, attacks Israel. Israel attacks Hamas...

What an endless cycle.

[Richard]

Clearly, the U.S. must support Israel with arms. If the Saudi's are finally showing a willingness to use some of their oil money on non-homegrown jihad other wealthy, oil rich Islamic nations may follow.

Unfortunately Obama wants to disarm everyone except the enemy. He'll try to disarm American citizens via attacks on the 2nd ammendment just as sure as he will try to starve Israel of arms. That's why I joined the NRA last year, and I don't even own a firearm...yet.

[Steve Harriman]

Hamas declares great victory....

Did they do this on video? Did they have straight faces? Are they getting out of murder and into humor? Is it a tryout for The Onion?

[jdamn]

Livni's buddies Fatah have been firing this whole time too.

I read on Weasel Zippers yesterdy that only 8% of Iraelis support the ceasefire. Livni's got something else up her sleeve. No politician would do something this unpopular right before an election if she didn't. They're going to Iran and they're doing it in the next two weeks, if only for political reasons. They cannot afford not to. Watch Ahmalittleman get his nancy ass handed to him by a blonde, Jewish woman. hehehe.