Rarely if ever does a day pass in Israel in which the word “peace” is not heard on state-controlled radio dozens of times. Since the signing of the abysmal Oslo Agreement on the White House lawn on September 13, 1993, the word peace has become an integral component of the daily radio lexicon, peace with the PA (Palestinian Authority), Syria and regional nation, a national obsession. President Shimon Peres continues to use his prophetic abilities to assure us of his “new Middle East”, backed by the success of the government’s Disengagement Plan of 2005, the uprooting and expulsion of 10,000 Jewish residents of Gaza and northern Shomron, all in the name of peace.

As Mr. Peres prepares to shuttle off to the USA to address an AIPAC (The American Israel Public Affairs Committee) annual event, where he will be awarded for his life achievements as the great peace maker, Hamas in Gaza is busy doing what it does best, following the tradition of modern-day fundamentalist Islam, preparing for war with Israel.

Over recent months Israel has already confirmed reports that Hamas’ army is equipped with shoulder-held missiles that have created new realities for the IAF operating over Gaza, as well as countless numbers of rockets. The fall of Libyan dictator Muammar Kaddafi was a major boost for the Hamas was effort, as weaponry crossed from Sinai into Gaza, stockpiling for Cast Lead II, preparing to meet Israel as a formidable enemy.

CNN quotes a Bedouin tribal leader who explained how they moved SAM missiles to Gaza via the vast underground weapons smuggling tunnels network. The sale and transportation of weapons is a lucrative endeavor, resulting in tenacious efforts to move armaments into Gaza with the assistance of Hizbullah and Iranian funding and logistical support.

In Israel, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz has recently signaled numerous times in recent weeks that the current situation in southern Israel mustn’t be permitted to continue, referring to renewed rocket fire into southern Israeli civilian population centers from the Gaza border to cities including Ashdod and Ashkelon.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak, a retired IDF chief of staff is well-aware of the imminent need to send troops into Gaza, but no one is rushing to send IDF troops into the treacherous terrain of Hamastine, an urban warfare setting without rules, an enemy that uses children and women as shields, violating any and all rules of warfare as defined by the international community.

Ultimately, as Barak and others realize, Hamas will force Israel’s hand as the rocket attacks increase in intensity and frequency, but in the meantime, Hamas continues the weapons supply train, which will only compounds the complexity of the next military operation in Gaza, not to mention the increased risk to IDF troops.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)