Israel widens Gaza ground offensive as fighting intensifies

The war between Israel and Gaza has intensified. Israel has deployed more troops and tanks into the Gaza strip, and have been heavily bombarding neighbourhoods. This comes as Hamas has carried out cross-border attacks on Israeli soldiers, killing some and wounding many others.

The UN chief, Ban Ki-moon has travelled to Qatar, where he plans to achieve a renewed ceasefire. Other allied politicians have also travelled to the region for the same purpose.

The fiercest fighting of the 13-day war in Gaza has erupted as Israel dramatically widened its ground offensive, sending tanks and troops into urban areas and causing thousands of civilians to flee.

...

People ran from their homes, some barefoot and nearly all empty handed. Others crowded on the backs of trucks or rode on the bonnets of cars in a desperate attempt to flee. Some described the bombardment of the Shujai'iya neighbourhood as a massacre.

The Israeli military also suffered casualties, with at least 26 wounded soldiers evacuated to hospitals. There were unconfirmed reports that a number of Israeli soldiers were killed in a cross-border attack by Hamas militants on Sunday morning.

...

As fighting raged, the UN chief, Ban Ki-moon, headed to Qatar on Sunday as part of renewed ceasefire efforts. He was due to meet the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, in Doha.

Abbas was also expected to meet Khaled Meshaal, the Hamas leader based in the Qatari capital.

Meanwhile, according to the Egyptian newspaper Aharam, the US secretary of state, John Kerry, was travelling to Cairo to aid the mediation effort.

Overall, things are definitely not looking good. I hope that the conflict dies down soon, but it looks unlikely.

www.theguardian.com...

Israel is this time going harder in an effort to lay solid foundations for it's long term occupation of Gaza and possible annexation in the future.

Israel needs escalation and prolonged fighting as a justification for it's continued military presence without retreating.

if major escalation involving other countries doesn't happen this time there are two possible outcomes -

1. - Israel destroying infrastructure and effectively destroying any means of rule by Palestinians themselves so Gaza can become even more dependent on Israel; Israel becoming de-facto ruler of Gaza, Gaza it's vassal state.

or 2. - Israel not quite able to achieve stated goals from point 1 so it has to keep it's military present; ruling Gaza.

p.s. - that's just some quick thoughts and predictions; no real evidence, facts or sources - just my opinion on what Israel wants, not what will actually happen.

It's a shame Palestinians have been unable to choose peace at any point in the last almost 100 years. I don't like war, and can't say I think Israels intentions are pure as snow, but Palestinian actions have not left Israel much choice.

For those who are attacking either the Jews of the Arabs...think on this.....


You hate violence (why you are annoyed at the current situation). Yet you blame just one side???? Makes no sense.

If you truly hate violence you would be criticizing BOTH sides. Yet you are not. What does that tell me? It tells me you are not thinking clearly about this situation and your morals, and are letting the various media outlets and other peoples opinions form your own.

Why not take a step back, and think about it without any bias. If you truly hate violence, you will critisize ALL actions, not just the actions of your opposing side.


Either that or you do not really hate violence but probably enjoy the conflict as it gives you a chance to empower yourselves on these forums. (not a fact, just an opinion).

This is not a football game guys.

People are so easily programmed these days.

originally posted by: OccamsRazor04
It's a shame Palestinians have been unable to choose peace at any point in the last almost 100 years. I don't like war, and can't say I think Israels intentions are pure as snow, but Palestinian actions have not left Israel much choice.

If someone crushed my childs head on the ground, threw grenades through my front door, raped, dismembered, murdered my wife, sent me fleeing from my home if I survived, I wouldn't want peace either. I would never forgive the pricks who done it and I would pass it through the generations also to never let them have peace. 1948 in a nut shell and here we are today with one of those peoples organisation's (Hamas) still going.

Some people have long memories....

originally posted by: DarknStormy

originally posted by: OccamsRazor04
It's a shame Palestinians have been unable to choose peace at any point in the last almost 100 years. I don't like war, and can't say I think Israels intentions are pure as snow, but Palestinian actions have not left Israel much choice.

If someone crushed my childs head on the ground, threw grenades through my front door, raped, dismembered, murdered my wife, sent me fleeing from my home if I survived, I wouldn't want peace either. I would never forgive the pricks who done it and I would pass it through the generations also to never let them have peace afterwards either. 1948 in a nut shell.

Do you not think this type of thing gets comitted by anyone but Jews?

Do you think the US army has not been responsible for similar atrocities at some point in time....or any army for that matter.

It is awful, but you must also accept the fact that in situations like these there are awful things commited by ALL sides in a conflict. Not just Jews.

You are rejecting the people rather than the violence itself.



Do you think the people who committed atrocities in 1948 are still alive to be punished, if so, why not punish them? Should you be punished for something a US soldier did in World War 2?

a reply to: pennydrops

I'm not the one saying Palestinians have been violent for nearly 100 years. What I just said comes from one incident in 1948, one village. Now when you understand that roughly 500 villages were treated the same back then, you will understand that Zionism started this war and nothing will ever change that.

I can see what's happening in Israel/Gaza and I disagree with both sides, I can see what's happening in other countries and I disagree with them, but because I have taken the time to understand a little bit of history about that part of the world, my fingers point to Zionism regardless of what we are witnessing today.

Oh and btw, I do not see Zionists as Jews.. They are a disgrace to Judaism.

The palestinians were doing great not long ago as far as getting representation in the UN. Now the rockets have intensified to the current extent the only people who will suffer are the palestinians. The people to blame are the FEW idiots that fire these rockets and stash them in schools. Isreals responce is overkill as usual and we must always put pressure on them to stop.

But at the end of the day, the fools who started these rocket attacks have messed it up for everyone, especially the very people they claim to fight for.


I HATE Israelis response but for once it would be nice to hear people mention the REAL culprits of this situation and condemn them for once. They knew what Isreals responce would be, yet they still chose to fire the rockets knowing they wouldn't do any real damage. Now the UN will hesitate before allowing the palestinians any more representation.


A message to the rocket firers.....WELL DONE you complete idiots!!!!!!

One last thing,

It wouldn't surprise me if these rocket firers were not even palestinian.....russian, british, american, isreali etc etc, nothing would surprise me anymore.

DONT VOTE, YOU CANT TRUST ANY OF THEM WHEREVER YOU ARE. ITS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN CHANGE THINGS AND THE SYSTEM ITSELF>>>>>DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN IT IF YOU DONT LIKE IT!!!!!!! Your taxes are paying for this who ever you vote for!!!!!

a reply to: DarknStormy

I have to say I pretty much agree with everything you just said.

Zionist fools.

a reply to: pennydrops
You keep saying jews, it is not the jews doing murder in Palestine, it is the israeli terrorists.
Believe it or not, there are a lot of jews that for some reason do not like the idea of genocide.
I imagine they also hate terrorists doing evil deeds in their name.
But hey, the israeli soldiers are just following orders, right?

originally posted by: g146541
a reply to: pennydrops
You keep saying jews, it is not the jews doing murder in Palestine, it is the israeli terrorists.
Believe it or not, there are a lot of jews that for some reason do not like the idea of genocide.
I imagine they also hate terrorists doing evil deeds in their name.
But hey, the israeli soldiers are just following orders, right?

When I say Jews it is just the 'team name' the media represents. But in essence I do totally agree with you apart from your term 'isreali terrorists....ignorant imo). Just returned from Jerusalem and have Jewish and Arab friends there and believe it or not, they are good friends too.

Im not against Jews , isrealis, arabs, palestinians etc etc (whatever terminology you prefer). Im just against the violence commited by all sides.



There are also a lot of good people in Isreal that would identify themselves as Isreali as they are not religious, are you saying these people are terrorists?

Israel's response is completely understandable. Should they hold back because Hamas et al. have homemade rockets? Of course not. Israel does a great job at defending it's country/civilians, that's why there are not many casualties on their side. The terrorists seek to make as much civilian casualties as possible, place civilians at their launch sites (so there is as much collateral damage as possible) and will not rest before Israel is no more. Their words. I never heard Israel say the same.

originally posted by: WeZet
Israel's response is completely understandable. Should they hold back because Hamas et al. have homemade rockets? Of course not. Israel does a great job at defending it's country/civilians, that's why there are not many casualties on their side. The terrorists seek to make as much civilian casualties as possible, place civilians at their launch sites (so there is as much collateral damage as possible) and will not rest before Israel is no more. Their words. I never heard Israel say the same.

I think its overkill. They are not doing their cause any good by the amount of innocents they kill. They should send in specialised teams to take the weapons and arrest those responsible. They have the technology. We have paid for it with our taxes.

originally posted by: pennydrops

originally posted by: g146541
a reply to: pennydrops
You keep saying jews, it is not the jews doing murder in Palestine, it is the israeli terrorists.
Believe it or not, there are a lot of jews that for some reason do not like the idea of genocide.
I imagine they also hate terrorists doing evil deeds in their name.
But hey, the israeli soldiers are just following orders, right?

When I say Jews it is just the 'team name' the media represents. But in essence I do totally agree with you apart from your term 'isreali terrorists....ignorant imo). Just returned from Jerusalem and have Jewish and Arab friends there.

So you are saying the media has no agenda?
I don't buy their lies, nor yours.
There are many jews that abhor the idea that they are being thrown in with these israeli terrorists.
Cool story bro..

Im not against Jews , isrealis, arabs, palestinians etc etc (whatever terminology you prefer). Im just against the violence commited by all sides.

Agreed, but even an apologist could not deny the "violence" is strong bad lopsided.
Funny word, violence...
I see genocide, not simple violence.

There are also a lot of good people in Isreal that would identify themselves as Isreali as they are not religious, are you saying these people are terrorists?

If they support the genocide and rape of a people then yes!

originally posted by: g146541

originally posted by: pennydrops

originally posted by: g146541
a reply to: pennydrops
You keep saying jews, it is not the jews doing murder in Palestine, it is the israeli terrorists.
Believe it or not, there are a lot of jews that for some reason do not like the idea of genocide.
I imagine they also hate terrorists doing evil deeds in their name.
But hey, the israeli soldiers are just following orders, right?

When I say Jews it is just the 'team name' the media represents. But in essence I do totally agree with you apart from your term 'isreali terrorists....ignorant imo). Just returned from Jerusalem and have Jewish and Arab friends there.

So you are saying the media has no agenda?
I don't buy their lies, nor yours.
There are many jews that abhor the idea that they are being thrown in with these israeli terrorists.
Cool story bro..

Im not against Jews , isrealis, arabs, palestinians etc etc (whatever terminology you prefer). Im just against the violence commited by all sides.

Agreed, but even an apologist could not deny the "violence" is strong bad lopsided.
Funny word, violence...
I see genocide, not simple violence.

There are also a lot of good people in Isreal that would identify themselves as Isreali as they are not religious, are you saying these people are terrorists?

If they support the genocide and rape of a people then yes!

None of them I know do support it. You seem angry with me and I dont know why. Isnt this a discussion? I agree with everything you said apart from the term isreali terrorists. Maybe Zionist terrorists is better????

There is currently a two hour humanitarian ceasefire to allow the Red Cross in.

a reply to: pennydrops

Can an oppressed nation defend itself ?
Can someone defend itself from violence ?
By your logic the Palestinians should be silent and accept to be target practice for the Zionists ?

The point you're making is silly and simplistic.

I hope to god they could defend themselves from those Zionists terrorists...
I wish karma on the Zionists. A wish they'd have a taste of their own medecine.
Zionists can only fight if their adversery is weak with no military. Cowards.

a reply to: pennydrops

While this may be slightly true i think your missing the overall point and this is most of the world can see in clear daylight the overwhelming one sided nature of this conflict. I am not supporting one side or the other per se but am denouncing the clear genocide going on. Which in this situation happens to be mainly committed by Israel.

I notice Palestine has recently lost a few areas that have been destroyed and they moved out i wonder who is going to come along with there bulldozers and rebuild those areas for Jewish settlers, while Israel's government does not officially support these extremists it does nothing to stop them either.

I feel sad to see death on either side but as with most conflicts now days they are horribly one sided.

originally posted by: OccamsRazor04
There is currently a two hour humanitarian ceasefire to allow the Red Cross in.

I guess any cease fire is good but 2 hours???????? Is that the best they could do?

a reply to: pennydrops

I think they're doing the best they can. The Mossad is one of the most advanced agencies in the world. And it's war, there will always be civilian casualties. They're doing their best to minimize the amount of casualties, but Hamas tries to make sure that there are civilian casualties for every strike Israel attempts. They spin the truth. Look at all the blind reposts on social media blaming Israel for Palestinian deaths.