Well, all things considered I would rather have the Palestinians messing with the IDF than civilians. However the Israelis are really cranked up about one of their soldiers being kidnapped, particularly when Israel abandoned their settlements earlier. If this soldier is not returned within a day or two, it could trigger a massive incursion by the IDF into Gaza, and of course a great number of casualties.
"Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday ruled out negotiations with the Palestinian captors of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, promising a “broad and ongoing” military offensive in the Gaza Strip. But even as Israel massed forces along the Gaza border, large-scale military action appeared unlikely. Officials said they were still pursuing a diplomatic solution and conceded a broad attack would threaten the soldier’s life.
After more than 24 hours of silence, the terrorists holding Cpl. Shalit issued their first demands Monday. The groups, all linked to the Hamas-led Palestinian government, called for the release of all Palestinian women and children under 18 held in Israeli prisons in return for information about Shalit.
Olmert rejected the demand. Addressing Jewish leaders in Jerusalem Monday evening, Olmert charged that Sunday’s Palestinian attack on an army post near Kerem Shalom and the abduction of the soldier were part of a “murderous, hateful, fanatical Islamic extremist desire to destroy the state of Israel.”
He declared, “This is not a matter of negotiations, this is not a matter of bargaining … release of prisoners is absolutely not on the agenda of the Israeli government.”
Speaking earlier to a tourism conference in Jerusalem, Olmert said he held the entire Palestinian leadership responsible for Shalit’s safety and warned that his patience was wearing thin. “I gave the orders to our military commanders to prepare the army for a broad and ongoing military operation to strike the terrorist leaders and all those involved,” he said. “It should be clear. There will be immunity for no one.” http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150885856918&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull
Imprisoning women and children is just as low as kidnapping the IDF soldier however I guess there are no more rules in that region. Each one does what they are capable of doing. In reality it is that bad down there.
All these terrorists want in return of the kidnapped soldier is the release of women and children who shouldnt be in prison in the first place. This information is conveniently missed out. If Israel decides to go on a rampage; the kidnappers shud go ahead get him done with. no IDF is worth the sh1t on their shoe.
What do we know about the women and children they want releaesed? Were they involved in a crime or terrorism? If so it doesn't matter what their gender or age. The machismos shooting guns off in the air should have thought about that before they recruited them for terror. If they are innocent then they should be freed without threats and kidnappings by Palestinians.
This is the proximate timeline for the events mentioned herein.
A ceasefire is declared.
Israel evacuates Gaza.
Palestinians shoot 50 to 80 Rockets per month into Israeli towns.
Israelis try to kill rocket shooters and assasinate leaders of the Rocket shooters.
Palestinian beach goers are blown up. (By whom, who knows)
Cease fire is broken. (No one was counting the 50-80 rockets per month in the ceasefire anyway).
Palestinians dig tunnel, and attack IDF troops in retribution for blowing up beach goers, which of course was to stop the rocket launchers who never respected the cease-fire.
Anyway, here we are with one soldier captured, the entire state of Israel pissed off about it, and a world of hurt is about to crash down on the Palestinians, most of all the innocent women and children of Gaza.
Now in the advanced logic of the Middle-East, the Palestinians will not give back the one soldier, and the Israelis will not give back any prisoners. Instead, a huge section of Gaza will be flattened, Leadership houses destroyed, the economy of Gaza brought to a standstill, and perhaps hundreds killed.
Hamas will declare the dead to be glorious martyrs, and will try to call the incursion a war crime (forgetting that 80 rockets are, basically 80 causes for war outside the Middle East). The Israelis will hake their heads and ask if they have to kill every Palestinian before they figure out they are beaten. The West will shake their heads and make politically correct mumblings. Al-Jazeera will have 24 hour specials on the atrocities, real or created. The Arab world will mutter politically correct outrage in public, and mutter "Stupid frikkin' Palestinians", in private.
Anyway, here we are with one soldier captured, the entire state of Israel pissed off about it, and a world of hurt is about to crash down on the Palestinians, most of all the innocent women and children of Gaza.
Now in the advanced logic of the Middle-East, the Palestinians will not give back the one soldier, and the Israelis will not give back any prisoners. Instead, a huge section of Gaza will be flattened, Leadership houses destroyed, the economy of Gaza brought to a standstill, and perhaps hundreds killed.
Hamas will declare the dead to be glorious martyrs, and will try to call the incursion a war crime (forgetting that 80 rockets are, basically 80 causes for war outside the Middle East). The Israelis will hake their heads and ask if they have to kill every Palestinian before they figure out they are beaten. The West will shake their heads and make politically correct mumblings. Al-Jazeera will have 24 hour specials on the atrocities, real or created. The Arab world will mutter politically correct outrage in public, and mutter "Stupid frikkin' Palestinians", in private.
I understand the Palestinians viewpoint. The are a strong people and won't be beaten, I just hope the cooler heads who realize the long term consequences of actions and reactions prevail and defuse the situation.