1. Hizbullah Vows Revenge on Gazaby Hana Levi Julian 
Hizbullah terrorists have vowed to open a second front against Israel in the north in retaliation for the IDF military operation against Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
Terrorist chief Hassan Nasrallah issued a statement on Hizbullah's Al-Manar television station Sunday, vowing that "northern Israel will burn as Gaza is burning." Nasrallah rarely appears in person; he speaks via a video hook-up from his hideout due to fears of assassination by Israeli agents, following the 2006 Second Lebanon War.
Hizbullah officials were quoted in a number of Arabic-language publications on Saturday warning that they would not permit Israel to attack Gaza without retaliating.
Last week seven Katyusha rockets were discovered primed and ready for launching in southern Lebanon, located near the northern border of Israel. All seven were aimed at targets in the Jewish State.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert -- anticipating such a reaction -- warned Hizbullah Saturday night in his speech informing the nation about the military operation in Gaza that any "others who may seek to take advantage of the situation would be wise not to."
The last time Israel faced a two-front war was in June 2006, when a military conflict began with a cross-border raid by Hamas terrorists near the Kerem Shalom Crossing with Gaza that resulting in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Two other soldiers were killed and a fourth soldier was critically wounded in the attack. Shalit remains captive in Gaza to this day.
Less than a month later, in July 2006, Hizbullah terrorists carried out a cross-border raid in northern Israel, kidnapping and ultimately murdering IDF reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.
The attack, which was conducted simultaneously with the launch of a barrage of Katyusha rockets at Jewish communities in northern Israel, opened a second front in the military conflict that had began with Gaza, and ignited the 2006 Second Lebanon War.
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Hizbullah terrorists have vowed to open a second front against Israel in the north in retaliation for the IDF military operation against Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
Terrorist chief Hassan Nasrallah issued a statement on Hizbullah's Al-Manar television station Sunday, vowing that "northern Israel will burn as Gaza is burning." Nasrallah rarely appears in person; he speaks via a video hook-up from his hideout due to fears of assassination by Israeli agents, following the 2006 Second Lebanon War.
Hizbullah officials were quoted in a number of Arabic-language publications on Saturday warning that they would not permit Israel to attack Gaza without retaliating.
Last week seven Katyusha rockets were discovered primed and ready for launching in southern Lebanon, located near the northern border of Israel. All seven were aimed at targets in the Jewish State.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert -- anticipating such a reaction -- warned Hizbullah Saturday night in his speech informing the nation about the military operation in Gaza that any "others who may seek to take advantage of the situation would be wise not to."
The last time Israel faced a two-front war was in June 2006, when a military conflict began with a cross-border raid by Hamas terrorists near the Kerem Shalom Crossing with Gaza that resulting in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Two other soldiers were killed and a fourth soldier was critically wounded in the attack. Shalit remains captive in Gaza to this day.
Less than a month later, in July 2006, Hizbullah terrorists carried out a cross-border raid in northern Israel, kidnapping and ultimately murdering IDF reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.
The attack, which was conducted simultaneously with the launch of a barrage of Katyusha rockets at Jewish communities in northern Israel, opened a second front in the military conflict that had began with Gaza, and ignited the 2006 Second Lebanon War.
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2. IDF Releases Intelligence Shots
by Hana Levi Julian
The IDF on Saturday night released aerial photos of Hamas facilities targeted by IAF fighter pilots on Saturday in Operation 'Cast Lead.'
The photos show the military training facilities Hamas has developed in Gaza, from where Israel forcibly evicted close to 10,000 of its Jewish citizens in August 2005 in hopes of establishing peace with its Palestinian Authority Arab neighbors.
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Israeli embassies and installations around the world have increased their level of security, expecting possible terrorists attacks as a result of the IDF operation in Gaza. Extra security has been stationed at embassies, consulates and El Al offices around the world.
Police in Israel are also at their highest alert level, especially in cities with mixed Arab and Jewish populations. Police leave has been cancelled and shifts have been extended to 12 hours. Police sources said intelligence reports indicate that Hamas or Islamic Jihad will attempt a terrorist attack inside Israel in order to divert the attention of Gaza Arabs from Israel's successes against the terror bases.
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by Hana Levi Julian
The IDF on Saturday night released aerial photos of Hamas facilities targeted by IAF fighter pilots on Saturday in Operation 'Cast Lead.'
The photos show the military training facilities Hamas has developed in Gaza, from where Israel forcibly evicted close to 10,000 of its Jewish citizens in August 2005 in hopes of establishing peace with its Palestinian Authority Arab neighbors.
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Israeli embassies and installations around the world have increased their level of security, expecting possible terrorists attacks as a result of the IDF operation in Gaza. Extra security has been stationed at embassies, consulates and El Al offices around the world.
Police in Israel are also at their highest alert level, especially in cities with mixed Arab and Jewish populations. Police leave has been cancelled and shifts have been extended to 12 hours. Police sources said intelligence reports indicate that Hamas or Islamic Jihad will attempt a terrorist attack inside Israel in order to divert the attention of Gaza Arabs from Israel's successes against the terror bases.
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3. US Supports But Cautions Israel
by Hana Levi Julian
The United States has come out with a statement expressing strong support for Israel's need to carry out "Operation Cast Lead" against Gaza-based terrorist organizations, but cautioned the Jewish State to avoid civilian casualties.
In a statement issued Saturday by White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe, the Bush administration said "Hamas's continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop. Hamas must end its terrorist activities if it wishes to play a role in the future of the Palestinian people."
That having been said, however, Johndroe went on to caution Israel to avoid wounding civilians, as did U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a separate statement issued by her office late Saturday night.
"The U.S. strongly condemns the repeated rocket and mortar attacks against Israel and holds Hamas responsible for breaking the ceasefire and for the renewal of violence in Gaza," read the terse statement from Secretary Rice. "The ceasefire should be restored immediately. The United States calls on all concerned to address the urgent humanitarian needs of the innocent people of Gaza," it concluded.
Israel's Preparations Aimed at Minimizing Civilian Casualties
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert informed reporters and the nation in a news conference Saturday night that Israeli intelligence had worked assiduously to avoid civilian casualties. "We worked very hard over the recent months to ensure that our intelligence would enable us to attack terrorists while keeping civilian casualties to a minimum," he said.
Olmert added, "Israel's war is with Hamas. We are not at war with the Palestinian people." He noted, however, that Israel intended to "restore quiet to the south. We intend to take care of our citizens as any other country would."
The IDF also said in a statement of its own that it had selected its targets with great care, focusing solely on Hamas targets and infrastructure facilities.
"The targets that were attacked were located by intelligence gathered during the last months and include Hamas terror operatives that operated from the organization's headquarters, training camps and weaponry storage warehouses," said the IDF statement.
However, the army spokespersons' unit warned that any person engaging in any form of terrorism in Gaza will be considered a fair target in the current military campaign.
"The IDF Spokesperson wishes to emphasize that anyone sponsoring terror, hosting terror in his house, housing terror in his basement and sending his wives and children to serve as human shields – is considered a terrorist."
"The IDF will continue its activity against terror activities according to operational assessments held by the Chief of the General Staff. The IDF is ready to widen and deepen its activity against all terror organizations… as long as it is necessary," read the statement.
Almost as an afterthought, the IDF pointed out, "In addition, the Home Front Command and emergency authorities took all necessary measures for preparing the civilian population."
The statement was no idle boast. The public instructions and bulletins issued in the past by the IDF to prepare the civilian populace have never been as detailed as those sent out to the media upon the start of Operation Cast Lead on Saturday.
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by Hana Levi Julian
The United States has come out with a statement expressing strong support for Israel's need to carry out "Operation Cast Lead" against Gaza-based terrorist organizations, but cautioned the Jewish State to avoid civilian casualties.
In a statement issued Saturday by White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe, the Bush administration said "Hamas's continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop. Hamas must end its terrorist activities if it wishes to play a role in the future of the Palestinian people."
That having been said, however, Johndroe went on to caution Israel to avoid wounding civilians, as did U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a separate statement issued by her office late Saturday night.
"The U.S. strongly condemns the repeated rocket and mortar attacks against Israel and holds Hamas responsible for breaking the ceasefire and for the renewal of violence in Gaza," read the terse statement from Secretary Rice. "The ceasefire should be restored immediately. The United States calls on all concerned to address the urgent humanitarian needs of the innocent people of Gaza," it concluded.
Israel's Preparations Aimed at Minimizing Civilian Casualties
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert informed reporters and the nation in a news conference Saturday night that Israeli intelligence had worked assiduously to avoid civilian casualties. "We worked very hard over the recent months to ensure that our intelligence would enable us to attack terrorists while keeping civilian casualties to a minimum," he said.
Olmert added, "Israel's war is with Hamas. We are not at war with the Palestinian people." He noted, however, that Israel intended to "restore quiet to the south. We intend to take care of our citizens as any other country would."
The IDF also said in a statement of its own that it had selected its targets with great care, focusing solely on Hamas targets and infrastructure facilities.
"The targets that were attacked were located by intelligence gathered during the last months and include Hamas terror operatives that operated from the organization's headquarters, training camps and weaponry storage warehouses," said the IDF statement.
However, the army spokespersons' unit warned that any person engaging in any form of terrorism in Gaza will be considered a fair target in the current military campaign.
"The IDF Spokesperson wishes to emphasize that anyone sponsoring terror, hosting terror in his house, housing terror in his basement and sending his wives and children to serve as human shields – is considered a terrorist."
"The IDF will continue its activity against terror activities according to operational assessments held by the Chief of the General Staff. The IDF is ready to widen and deepen its activity against all terror organizations… as long as it is necessary," read the statement.
Almost as an afterthought, the IDF pointed out, "In addition, the Home Front Command and emergency authorities took all necessary measures for preparing the civilian population."
The statement was no idle boast. The public instructions and bulletins issued in the past by the IDF to prepare the civilian populace have never been as detailed as those sent out to the media upon the start of Operation Cast Lead on Saturday.
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4. Uncertainty in Nationalist Camp
by Hillel Fendel
With the deadline for submitting final candidate lists only hours away – midnight Sunday – the nationalist camp is still in disarray.
The Likud is still in the midst of court hearings and appeals regarding the placement of Michael Ratzon, Ehud Yatom and Moshe Feiglin. The Jewish Home party is still unsure whether Uri Ariel’s resignation from its #3 position is final, and therefore has not yet compiled its final list. Finally, the National Union is apparently re-forming itself, together with Aryeh Eldad’s HaTikvah party and parts of Moledet – but it is not clear whether the Marzel-Wolpe “Our Land of Israel” party is joining them or not.
In the Likud
Former MK Michael Ratzon had been placed in the 29th slot on the Likud list, but was moved back to #38 because of a procedural matter. At the same time, Moshe Feiglin was moved from 20 to 36, and former MK Ehud Yatom from 24 to 37. Feiglin was the actual “target” of the re-shuffling, Ratzon alleged, as party leader Binyamin Netanyahu did not want him in a realistic spot on the party’s list of candidates. Coincidentally, both Ratzon and Yatom were members of the anti-Disengagement camp within the Likud in 2005.
Feiglin did not appeal the decision, saying he had no faith in the public judicial system. Ratzon did, however, and in fact the Tel Aviv District Court ordered the Likud to reconsider its decision in a five-man panel. The party was unable to convene such a forum, and the District Court then ruled that Ratzon should be restored to his original placement.
Though not stated outright, even Likud sources acknowledged that if Feiglin were to but request it, he too would be reinstated.
However, the Likud has now appealed the decision to the Supreme Court. A final decision must be handed down with sufficient time for the Likud to submit its final list of Knesset candidates to the Central Elections Committee by midnight on Sunday.
Jewish Home
In the Jewish Home, Uri Ariel has announced his resignation from the nascent party. He said at the end of last week that the list did not fulfill the public’s desire for a strong commitment to the Land of Israel. The party has not yet announced how it will fill in the blank left by Ariel.
National Union
At the same time, it is not certain that Ariel’s resignation is final. This, in light of difficulties he is having establishing a new list. Though he has joined forces with the HaTikvah party of MK Aryeh Eldad – his next-door neighbor in the mixed religious-secular community of Kfar Adumim – as well as with Moledet, many question marks still remain. It has not been announced, for instance, who will be the representative of Moledet on the list, given MK Benny Elon’s announced resignation from politics.
A more prickly question, however, is that of merging forces with the ”Our Land of Israel” party of Baruch Marzel of Hevron and Chabad Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpe.
Wolpe told IsraelNationalNews: “Ariel’s party has offered us practically unacceptable conditions. For one thing, our representative would only receive the 6th slot on the list. Secondly, he cannot be either myself nor Marzel. Third, Ariel wants to reserve the right to enter a Netanyahu coalition.”
INN: “Marzel has said in the past that he does not need to be his party’s candidate, and you, as well, did not even intend to enter politics until very recently. Why, then, is the second condition not acceptable?”
Wolpe: “They are essentially disqualifying us personally. They are not merely laying down conditions, but they are saying that we can join them if we don’t exist.”
INN: “You originally said that you were all but forced into running because there was no party that would fight for the Land of Israel. With Ariel-Eldad in the running, doesn’t that mean that your reason for running is no longer relevant?”
Wolpe: “We said that there was no party that promises to refuse to join a government that negotiates over the Land of Israel – and now we see that Ariel cannot promise that.”
INN: "Do you think that the public will accept such reasoning as justification for further splitting up and loss of votes? After all, if your your representative gets into the Knesset, he can easily break away from the party if it ever wishes to join the coalition against his will. Why cause disunity now?"
Wolpe then admitted that his refusal to run with Ariel-Eldad is not final, and that negotiations are still underway.
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by Hillel Fendel
With the deadline for submitting final candidate lists only hours away – midnight Sunday – the nationalist camp is still in disarray.
The Likud is still in the midst of court hearings and appeals regarding the placement of Michael Ratzon, Ehud Yatom and Moshe Feiglin. The Jewish Home party is still unsure whether Uri Ariel’s resignation from its #3 position is final, and therefore has not yet compiled its final list. Finally, the National Union is apparently re-forming itself, together with Aryeh Eldad’s HaTikvah party and parts of Moledet – but it is not clear whether the Marzel-Wolpe “Our Land of Israel” party is joining them or not.
In the Likud
Former MK Michael Ratzon had been placed in the 29th slot on the Likud list, but was moved back to #38 because of a procedural matter. At the same time, Moshe Feiglin was moved from 20 to 36, and former MK Ehud Yatom from 24 to 37. Feiglin was the actual “target” of the re-shuffling, Ratzon alleged, as party leader Binyamin Netanyahu did not want him in a realistic spot on the party’s list of candidates. Coincidentally, both Ratzon and Yatom were members of the anti-Disengagement camp within the Likud in 2005.
Feiglin did not appeal the decision, saying he had no faith in the public judicial system. Ratzon did, however, and in fact the Tel Aviv District Court ordered the Likud to reconsider its decision in a five-man panel. The party was unable to convene such a forum, and the District Court then ruled that Ratzon should be restored to his original placement.
Though not stated outright, even Likud sources acknowledged that if Feiglin were to but request it, he too would be reinstated.
However, the Likud has now appealed the decision to the Supreme Court. A final decision must be handed down with sufficient time for the Likud to submit its final list of Knesset candidates to the Central Elections Committee by midnight on Sunday.
Jewish Home
In the Jewish Home, Uri Ariel has announced his resignation from the nascent party. He said at the end of last week that the list did not fulfill the public’s desire for a strong commitment to the Land of Israel. The party has not yet announced how it will fill in the blank left by Ariel.
National Union
At the same time, it is not certain that Ariel’s resignation is final. This, in light of difficulties he is having establishing a new list. Though he has joined forces with the HaTikvah party of MK Aryeh Eldad – his next-door neighbor in the mixed religious-secular community of Kfar Adumim – as well as with Moledet, many question marks still remain. It has not been announced, for instance, who will be the representative of Moledet on the list, given MK Benny Elon’s announced resignation from politics.
A more prickly question, however, is that of merging forces with the ”Our Land of Israel” party of Baruch Marzel of Hevron and Chabad Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpe.
Wolpe told IsraelNationalNews: “Ariel’s party has offered us practically unacceptable conditions. For one thing, our representative would only receive the 6th slot on the list. Secondly, he cannot be either myself nor Marzel. Third, Ariel wants to reserve the right to enter a Netanyahu coalition.”
INN: “Marzel has said in the past that he does not need to be his party’s candidate, and you, as well, did not even intend to enter politics until very recently. Why, then, is the second condition not acceptable?”
Wolpe: “They are essentially disqualifying us personally. They are not merely laying down conditions, but they are saying that we can join them if we don’t exist.”
INN: “You originally said that you were all but forced into running because there was no party that would fight for the Land of Israel. With Ariel-Eldad in the running, doesn’t that mean that your reason for running is no longer relevant?”
Wolpe: “We said that there was no party that promises to refuse to join a government that negotiates over the Land of Israel – and now we see that Ariel cannot promise that.”
INN: "Do you think that the public will accept such reasoning as justification for further splitting up and loss of votes? After all, if your your representative gets into the Knesset, he can easily break away from the party if it ever wishes to join the coalition against his will. Why cause disunity now?"
Wolpe then admitted that his refusal to run with Ariel-Eldad is not final, and that negotiations are still underway.
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5. IDF Opens Kerem Shalom Crossing
by Hana Levi Julian
Defense Minister Ehud Barak instructed the IDF to open the Kerem Shalom Crossing Sunday morning in order to enable international humanitarian agencies to deliver supplies into Gaza.
Thirty trucks bearing medical supplies, basic food commodities and other humanitarian goods are scheduled to make their way through the crossing beginning at 11:00 a.m.
"As the prime minister said yesterday, we are not at war with the Palestinian people, but with the Hamas terrorists, and therefore we are bringing in the goods for the Palestinian people," noted IDF Major Peter Lerner, Defense Ministry Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories.
Three humanitarian aid agencies are sending goods into the Gaza war zone: UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency), WFA (World Food Agency) and the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross).
All three agencies were notified Saturday evening that they would be allowed to send as many truckloads of supplies into the region as they could muster, Lerner told Israel National News.
"We didn't place any limit on the number of trucks," he said. "There are only thirty truckloads because that was what they were able to get ready for today. That's what they have in their warehouses at the moment."
The Erez Crossing, which is almost always open for the passage of medical patients into Israel, has been closed to all traffic in the wake of specific terror alerts.
"The situation is delicate around the crossings," explained Lerner, who added that last week the Erez Crossing was specifically targeted in a rocket and mortar attack by Gaza terrorists. "The crossing came under fire while it was open on Friday," he said.
The Kerem Shalom Crossing will remain open for as long as it takes to deliver the supplies to Gaza, Lerner said. It was not clear whether the delivery would be able to be completed if terrorists direct an attack at the crossing while trucks are moving through the terminal.
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by Hana Levi Julian
Defense Minister Ehud Barak instructed the IDF to open the Kerem Shalom Crossing Sunday morning in order to enable international humanitarian agencies to deliver supplies into Gaza.
Thirty trucks bearing medical supplies, basic food commodities and other humanitarian goods are scheduled to make their way through the crossing beginning at 11:00 a.m.
"As the prime minister said yesterday, we are not at war with the Palestinian people, but with the Hamas terrorists, and therefore we are bringing in the goods for the Palestinian people," noted IDF Major Peter Lerner, Defense Ministry Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories.
Three humanitarian aid agencies are sending goods into the Gaza war zone: UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency), WFA (World Food Agency) and the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross).
All three agencies were notified Saturday evening that they would be allowed to send as many truckloads of supplies into the region as they could muster, Lerner told Israel National News.
"We didn't place any limit on the number of trucks," he said. "There are only thirty truckloads because that was what they were able to get ready for today. That's what they have in their warehouses at the moment."
The Erez Crossing, which is almost always open for the passage of medical patients into Israel, has been closed to all traffic in the wake of specific terror alerts.
"The situation is delicate around the crossings," explained Lerner, who added that last week the Erez Crossing was specifically targeted in a rocket and mortar attack by Gaza terrorists. "The crossing came under fire while it was open on Friday," he said.
The Kerem Shalom Crossing will remain open for as long as it takes to deliver the supplies to Gaza, Lerner said. It was not clear whether the delivery would be able to be completed if terrorists direct an attack at the crossing while trucks are moving through the terminal.
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6. Peres: 'Ask Hamas to Cease Fire'
by Hana Levi Julian
President Shimon Peres said in a statement released to the media Sunday that it is time for the world to understand that Israel has been more than patient in waiting for the people of Gaza to come to their senses.
Detailing all the agony and subsequent fallout of the 2005 Disengagement from Gaza, Peres said, "The story is simple. Israel has left Gaza completely… The passages were open. Money was sent to Gaza. We suggested aid in many ways – economically, medically and otherwise… Still I have not heard until now a single person who could explain to us reasonably: why are they firing rockets against Israel?"
He added that in planning the current Operation Cast Lead, the IDF had been "true to its principles: namely, to be precise in its targets and careful not to hit civilian life."
He noted that this was a complex problem, because many of the bombs were stored in private houses. "We have contacted the owners of the houses, the people that dwell there, and told them leave it. You can't live with bombs. We have to bring an end to the source of the bombs."
Peres added that Israel has no intention of returning to Gaza. "We left out of our free choice. We have never gone back to the idea of returning to Gaza. It's over," he said. "But we cannot permit that Gaza will become a permanent base of threatening and even killing children and innocent people in Israel for G-d knows why."
The bottom line, he said bluntly, is that anyone in the world who now wishes to ask Israel to stop the shooting, "they have to change the address. Let them turn to Hamas and ask them to stop shooting, and there won't be shooting."
Hamas Admits Majority of Casualties are Military Fighters
The Hamas terrorist organization admitted Sunday morning that the majority of casualties sustained in attacks by the IDF on Saturday were fighters from its military ranks.
According to the Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), a news ticker running repeatedly from 10:00 a.m. announced, "More than 180 Palestinian policemen were killed, including the [Poli Commander, General Tawfik Jaber."
The news ticker is reportedly being broadcast against a background of scenes from the destruction of a graduation ceremony from a Hamas officer's course that was taking place when the IAF attacked.
Dozens of bodies of the uniformed Hamas "soldiers" who were killed in the air strike are shown in the broadcast, according to the report.
Comment on this story
by Hana Levi Julian
President Shimon Peres said in a statement released to the media Sunday that it is time for the world to understand that Israel has been more than patient in waiting for the people of Gaza to come to their senses.
Detailing all the agony and subsequent fallout of the 2005 Disengagement from Gaza, Peres said, "The story is simple. Israel has left Gaza completely… The passages were open. Money was sent to Gaza. We suggested aid in many ways – economically, medically and otherwise… Still I have not heard until now a single person who could explain to us reasonably: why are they firing rockets against Israel?"
He added that in planning the current Operation Cast Lead, the IDF had been "true to its principles: namely, to be precise in its targets and careful not to hit civilian life."
He noted that this was a complex problem, because many of the bombs were stored in private houses. "We have contacted the owners of the houses, the people that dwell there, and told them leave it. You can't live with bombs. We have to bring an end to the source of the bombs."
Peres added that Israel has no intention of returning to Gaza. "We left out of our free choice. We have never gone back to the idea of returning to Gaza. It's over," he said. "But we cannot permit that Gaza will become a permanent base of threatening and even killing children and innocent people in Israel for G-d knows why."
The bottom line, he said bluntly, is that anyone in the world who now wishes to ask Israel to stop the shooting, "they have to change the address. Let them turn to Hamas and ask them to stop shooting, and there won't be shooting."
Hamas Admits Majority of Casualties are Military Fighters
The Hamas terrorist organization admitted Sunday morning that the majority of casualties sustained in attacks by the IDF on Saturday were fighters from its military ranks.
According to the Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), a news ticker running repeatedly from 10:00 a.m. announced, "More than 180 Palestinian policemen were killed, including the [Poli Commander, General Tawfik Jaber."
The news ticker is reportedly being broadcast against a background of scenes from the destruction of a graduation ceremony from a Hamas officer's course that was taking place when the IAF attacked.
Dozens of bodies of the uniformed Hamas "soldiers" who were killed in the air strike are shown in the broadcast, according to the report.
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7. Majadele Boycotts Cabinet Mtg
by Hana Levi Julian
Labor party minister Raleb Majadele skipped the government Cabinet meeting on Sunday to protest the IDF military operation in Gaza.
The Israeli Arab Minister of Science, Culture and Sport notified the Cabinet secretary prior to the meeting that he would not attend, and called on the government instead to halt Operation Cast Lead against Hamas.
Majadele also called on Hamas to cease its rocket fire against Israel. He justified his action by claiming that "extending the operation might bring about a collapse of the diplomatic process with the Palestinians and the Arab world."
Former minister Uzi Landau, a member of opposition party Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel is our Home) called for the immediate dismissal of Majadele from his position. "This action is unprecedented," he declared.
Shas party chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai also responded with outrage, saying it was "a pity that he did not embargo the Cabinet and Knesset meetings during the eight years when Palestinians fired rockets and mortar shells." Yishai added, "If this is what he thinks, he should not run for the next Knesset."
HaTikvah/National Union MK Aryeh Eldad also urged the prime minister to fire the Cabinet minister for refusing to participate in a government meeting when it was on a wartime footing. "Minister Majadele held a solidarity rally with Hamas – Israel's enemy in Gaza," declared Eldad. "Thus, he violated his oath of allegiance to the State of Israel. The prime minister must fire him immediately," he said.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made it clear that he has no intention of firing Minister Majadele, however, according to his spokesman, Mark Regev, who told Israel National News that the prime minister "holds Minister Majadele in the highest regard."
When asked what the prime minister's response was to the Majadele's decision not to attend the Cabinet meeting, Regev said, "I'm not sure he had a response. Often you have a situation in which ministers don't come to meetings." He declined to respond to any further questions on the matter.
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by Hana Levi Julian
Labor party minister Raleb Majadele skipped the government Cabinet meeting on Sunday to protest the IDF military operation in Gaza.
The Israeli Arab Minister of Science, Culture and Sport notified the Cabinet secretary prior to the meeting that he would not attend, and called on the government instead to halt Operation Cast Lead against Hamas.
Majadele also called on Hamas to cease its rocket fire against Israel. He justified his action by claiming that "extending the operation might bring about a collapse of the diplomatic process with the Palestinians and the Arab world."
Former minister Uzi Landau, a member of opposition party Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel is our Home) called for the immediate dismissal of Majadele from his position. "This action is unprecedented," he declared.
Shas party chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai also responded with outrage, saying it was "a pity that he did not embargo the Cabinet and Knesset meetings during the eight years when Palestinians fired rockets and mortar shells." Yishai added, "If this is what he thinks, he should not run for the next Knesset."
HaTikvah/National Union MK Aryeh Eldad also urged the prime minister to fire the Cabinet minister for refusing to participate in a government meeting when it was on a wartime footing. "Minister Majadele held a solidarity rally with Hamas – Israel's enemy in Gaza," declared Eldad. "Thus, he violated his oath of allegiance to the State of Israel. The prime minister must fire him immediately," he said.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made it clear that he has no intention of firing Minister Majadele, however, according to his spokesman, Mark Regev, who told Israel National News that the prime minister "holds Minister Majadele in the highest regard."
When asked what the prime minister's response was to the Majadele's decision not to attend the Cabinet meeting, Regev said, "I'm not sure he had a response. Often you have a situation in which ministers don't come to meetings." He declined to respond to any further questions on the matter.
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