With reporting pointing to an imminent prisoner deal with Hamas, many are questioning just why Israel launched Operation Cast Lead, which by all accounts did deliver a measurable blow to Hamas, but failed to halt rocket attacks, failed to eliminate the threat to hundreds of thousands of southern Israel residents, and failed to bring about the release of Gilad Shalit.
In actuality, there are now credible reports that Israel is willing to release hundreds of terrorists, basically all of the terrorists on Hamas’ list, the very same list that was rejected before the counter-terrorism offensive.
Despite the grandiose statements from the prime minister and defense minister, with the latter calling for increased flexibility towards Hamas, there hasn’t been any “stern”, “immediate” or “disproportionate” response to daily rocket attacks, and sadly, southern residents once again find themselves in danger without hope of a better tomorrow.
In addition, if the prisoner exchange deal intended to bring Shalit home is signed, it will not only result in the release of hundreds of terrorists, it will bring about an end to the Gaza embargo, delivering a major victory to Hamas, which continues firing rockets and importing weapons and ammunition into Gaza, all the while preparing for the next armed conflict with Israel.
According to recent reports given in the form of cabinet briefings by ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) Director Yuval Diskin, Egypt is not preventing weapons smuggling and over recent weeks, Hamas has succeeded in bringing advanced weaponry into the Gaza area as it remains tenacious in its efforts to defy Israel’s embargo and the international community’s demands that it recognize Israel’s right to exist and denounce terrorism as a means to achieve its goals.
Hamas leaders continue to announce they will never recognize Israel’s right to exist. Nevertheless, donor nations have pledged billions of dollars to rehabilitate Gaza, well-aware much of the funding will serve to fund future anti-Israel terror.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
One Response
This whole war showed us Hashgachas Hashem. There were so many miracles on the battlefield and wherever rockets fell. The important lesson is that Hashem is watching over us, but we must tell over the miracles to be zoche to them.