Behind the Headlines: The tragedy at the school in Jebaliya

MFA.gov.il - ISRAEL MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ^ | 6 Jan 2009 | n/a

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/Behind+the+Headlines/Ttragedy_school_Jebaliya_6-Jan-2009.htm

Behind the Headlines: The tragedy at the school in Jebaliya

6 Jan 2009 An initial inquiry by forces on operating in the area of the incident indicates that a number of mortar shells were fired at IDF forces from within the Jebaliya school. In response to the incoming enemy fire, the forces returned mortar fire to the source. Preliminary Background Briefing

Today, a reported 30 Palestinians were killed in a heartrending tragedy at a school in Jebaliya. Initial investigations indicate that Hamas terrorists fired mortar bombs from the area of the school towards Israeli forces, who returned fire towards the source of the shooting. The Israeli return fire landed outside the school, yet a series of explosions followed, indicating the probable presence of munitions and explosives in the building. Intelligence indicates that among those killed were Immad Abu Iskar and Hassan Abu Iskar, two known Hamas mortar crewmen.

Innocent civilians should not have died. However, it is vitally important to understand how this horrific incident occurred and who truly bears the responsibility for it.

Hamas began the current conflict when, three weeks ago it unilaterally violated the state of calm, and launched unprovoked rocket and mortar barrages on Israeli cities. This act of aggression was a clear violation of international law, and highlights a basic fact - not a single Israeli nor a single Palestinian would have been hurt had Hamas not launched its brutal attacks.

Israel had to respond. No government would stand idly by while its citizens are subjected to rockets and mortar attacks. Self-defense is an inherent right, and responsibility of every state. It is enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and remains a cornerstone of international law.

While the investigation of the incident continues, one crucial detail is already apparent: this tragedy occurred because Hamas consistently uses its own population as human shields. While betting that Israel will hesitate to strike back at areas with civilians present, Hamas covers its bet with the knowledge that should civilians be harmed, Hamas still wins since Israel will be censured by the world's media.

The best way to avoid the use of Palestinians as human shields is for the international community to begin to place the blame where it truly belongs - on the Hamas terrorists who exploit the suffering of their own people for political gain. Only the consorted international censure of Hamas will cause that terrorist organization to stop this perverted practice.

While Hamas exploits its own civilians as human shields as it deliberately targets the civilians of Israel, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) does its best to avoid harming civilians on either side. Many Israeli anti-terrorists operations have been aborted at the last minute, due to the untimely presence of civilians in the target area. Unfortunately, tragedies happen in wartime, particularly when one side violates international law by firing while hiding behind civilians.

During its operations in Gaza, the IDF is making every effort to comply with the two basic legal tests of international humanitarian law: (1) are the targets legitimate military objectives and (2) is an action likely to cause disproportionate damage to the civilian population and their property.

Israel faces a particular challenge with regards to determining the legitimacy of intended targets. The presence of civilians in an area of conflict does not stop a military objective from being a legitimate target. This is both the letter of international law and a reflection of state practice. The deliberate positioning of Hamas military targets among Palestinian civilians presents a problem with which Israel must consistently contend.

The Iranian-backed Hamas, as a matter of strategy, refuses to uphold one of most fundamental requirements of international humanitarian law - that of distinguishing between combatants/military instillations and civilians/civilian properties. It follows therefore that while Israel does all it can to avoid harming non-combatants, under international law, any collateral injury to them is the responsibility of the Hamas, which deliberately chooses to operate from civilian structures and fire behind human shields.

[Cindy]

Note: This is today's ISRAEL thread.

[Cindy]

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/Behind+the+Headlines/Ttragedy_school_Jebaliya_6-Jan-2009.htm
ISRAEL MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
“Behind the Headlines: The tragedy at the school in Jebaliya”
6 Jan 2009

#

http://israel.internet-haganah.com/archives/001514.html
January 06, 2009

“HAMAS EXPLOITATION OF CIVILIANS AS HUMAN SHIELDS”

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/hamas_e028.pdf
“HAMAS EXPLOITATION OF CIVILIANS AS HUMAN SHIELDS”
(January 6, 2009)

#

Israel.INTERNET-HAGANAH.com
“HaYishuv”

#

http://israel.internet-haganah.com/archives/001520.html
January 06, 2009

“LOOKING BACK: ANOTHER GREAT MOMENT IN THE HISTORY OF UN SCHOOLS IN THE GAZA STRIP”

#

http://www.internet-haganah.com/haganah/internet.html
(View free NOW at above link)
05 January 2009
“Current distribution of Hamas supporters observed online”
http://internet-haganah.org/hmedia/2008-12-12/hamas-supporters-online.jpg

http://internet-haganah.com/harchives/006470.html
(subscriber link)
http://www.sofir.org/sarchives/006281.php
(subscriber link)

#

http://israel.internet-haganah.com/archives/001515.html
January 06, 2009

“HIZBALLAH, HAMAS AND PIJ SERVICE PROVIDERS, REVISITED.”

#

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/hamas_e027.htm

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)
January 5, 2009

“Operation Cast Lead – Update No. 7”

#

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/hamas_e026.htm

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)

January 4, 2009

“Operation Cast Lead – Update No. 6”

#

BLOG:

http://www.jihadica.com/ansar-network-hacking-jewish-websites-in-response-to-israel-attack/
“Ansar Network Hacking Jewish Websites In Response To Israel Attack”
(January 5, 2009)
www.jihadica.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/1-4-09-faloja-list-of-hacked-jewish-sites.pdf

#

BLOG:

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/195644.php
December 31, 2008

“Hundreds Of Israeli Websites Hacked In Propaganda War (Update)”

#

http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9124658&intsrc=hm_list

“With Gaza conflict, cyberattacks come too

Thousands of Web pages have been hit by hackers from Morocco, Lebanon, Turkey and Iran”

By Robert McMillan

SNIPPET: “December 31, 2008 (IDG News Service) The conflict raging in Gaza between Israel and Palestine has spilled over to the Internet.
Since Saturday, thousands of Web pages have been defaced by hacking groups operating out of Morocco, Lebanon, Turkey and Iran, said Gary Warner, director of research in computer forensics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.”

[Cindy]

FreeRepublic.com - Discussion Forum (ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS.com): "INTELLIGENCE CHIEF: HIZBULLAH MAY ATTACK" (January 5, 2009) (NOTE: UPDATES ONGOING.)

JIHAD WATCH.org (TIME ONLINE.co.uk): "HAMAS: We'll kill Jewish children anywhere" (January 5, 2009)

YNET NEWS.com (AP): "HAMAS THREATENS ATTACKS ON ISRAELI CIVILIANS" (Published January 5, 2009, 12:46)

TERRORISM-INFO.org - INTELLIGENCE AND TERRORISM INFORMATION CENTER (IICC): "OPERATION CAST LEAD - Update No. 5" (January 1, 2009)

FreeRepublc.com - Discussion Forum (YNET NEWS.com): "U.S. VP: ROCKET FIRE ON ISRAEL MUST STOP" by Yitzhak Benhorin, Washington (January 4, 2009, 18:17)

TERRORISM-INFO.org.il - INTELLIGENCE AND TERRORISM INFORMATION CENTER (IICC): "HAMAS's MILITARY FORCE IN THE GAZA STRIP" (January 4, 2009)

COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG.org: "MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD REACTS DEFENSIVELY AS ISRAEL TAKES ON HAMAS" by Victor Comras (January 4, 2008)

THE MEMRI BLOG.org ("Source: Ikhwanonline.com, Al-Quds Al-Arabi, London, January 2, 2009"): "MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD GENERAL GUIDE: The Time Has Come For Jihad To The Maximum Degree" (January 2, 2009)

Link

Link

YNET NEWS.com: "POLICE COMMISSIONER ORDERS HIGH ALERT IN ALL OF ISRAEL" (Published January 4, 2009, 12:11)

FreeRepublic.com - Discussion Forum (IDF SPOKESPERSON.com via INTERNET-HAGANAH.com): "SUMMARY OF OVERNIGHT EVENTS, 03 JANUARY 2009" (January 3, 2009)

Video: "IDF VLOG UPDATE: GROUND FORCES ENTER GAZA - Capt. Benjamin Rutland - 3 Jan. 2009" (January 3, 2009)

IDF SPOKESPERSON.com: "VLOG: GROUND FORCES ENTER GAZA Statement by Ehud Barak, Minister of Defence, January 3, 2009" ( January 4, 2009, 00:23)

THE MEMRI BLOG.org ("Source: ikhwanonline.com, Al-Quds Al-Arabi, London, January 2, 2009"): "MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD GENERAL GUIDE: THE TIME HAS COME FOR JIHAD TO THE MAXIMUM DEGREE" (Posted January 2, 2009)

Link

THE JAWA REPORT - blog: "U.S. HOSTED HAMAS CHILDREN'S WEBSITE: "I have to kill the Israeli occupation and break the siege of Gaza"" (Posted January 3, 2009, 6:26 PM)

Link

FreeRepublic.com - Discussion Forum (ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS.com/Various): "'AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY...' MORE ROCKET RAIN ON SOUTHERN ISRAEL" by Hana Levi Julian (January 2, 2009)

TERRORISM-INFO.org.il - INTELLIGENCE AND TERRORISM INFORMATION CENTER (IICC): "Operation Cast Lead - Update No. 4" (December 31, 2008)

FreeRepublic.com - Discussion Forum (INTERNET-HAGANAH.com/Various): "OPERATION CAST LEAD The IDF's Fight Against Terror in Gaza" (January 1, 2009)

MEMRI.org - Special Dispatch - No. 2167 (AL-AQSA TV, December 30, 2008 via MEMRITV.org): "HAMAS WOMEN VOW TO BECOME 'MARTYRDOM-SEEKERS' AND BLOW THEMSELVES UP AMONG 'THE APES AND PIGS'" (December 31, 2008)

TERRORISM-INFO.org.il - INTELLIGENCE AND TERRORIM INFORMATION CENTER (IICC): "SUMMARY OF ROCKET FIRE AND MORTAR SHELLING IN 2008" (Posted January 1, 2009) (pdf)

TERRORISM-INFO.org.il - INTELLIGENCE AND TERRORISM INFORMATION CENTER (IICC): "OPERATION CAST LEAD - Updated No. 3" (December 30, 2008)

FreeRepublic.com (YNET NEWS.com, December 31, 2008, 23:56): "BARAK: HAMAS SUSTAINED SERIOUS BLOW" (December 31, 2008)

Israel.INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "YOUTUBE TAKES SIDES" (December 31, 2008)

MICHELLE MALKIN.com - blog: "IDF vs. YOUTUBE" by Michelle Malkin (December 30, 2008)

FreeRepublic.com (THE AUSTRALIAN via JIHAD WATCH.org): "ISRAEL CALLS GAZANS TO WARN THEM TO FLEE FOR SAFETY" (December 30, 2008)

THE MEMRI BLOG.org ("Source: IRNA, Iran, December 30, 2008"): "AHMADINEJAD: CAPITALISM, ZIONISM MUST FACE THEIR ANNIHILATION" (December 30, 2008)

JIHADICA.com - blog: "REACTIONS TO ISRAEL'S GAZA CAMPAIGN" (December 29, 2008)

THE MEMRI BLOG.org: "AHMADINEJAD, MASH'AL: PALESTINIAN RESISTANCE BRINGS VICTORY" (Posted December 30, 2008)

THE MEMRI BLOG.org - New On MEMRI TV: "IRANIAN TODDLERS ARE TAUGHT ABOUT MARTYRDOM AND THE HATRED OF ZIONISTS AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE GAZA FIGHTING" (Posted December 30, 2008)

COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG.org: "IRAN ACTIVATING ITS PROXIES" by Olivier Guitta (December 30, 2008)

DEFENSElink.mil (AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE): Washington - "U.S. MILITARY TEAM IN ISRAEL REPORTED SAFE DESPITE ATTACKS" (December 30, 2008)

FreeRepublic.com (INTERNET-HAGANAH.com): "OPERATION CAST LEAD The IDF's Fight Against Terror In Gaza" (December 29, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (REUTERS): "IRAN'S 'COMBATANT CLERGY SOCIETY' SIGNING UP VOLUNTEERS TO FIGHT JIHAD AGAINST ISRAEL" (December 29, 2008)

WorldNetDaily.com: "IRANIANS URGE KIDS TO FIGHT 'EVIL' ISRAEL Children's TV program embraces 'martyrdom' amid Gaza conflict" (January 3, 2009)

MEMRITV.org - Video Clip #1964 ("Channel 1 (Iran)"): "1964 - Iranian Toddlers Are Taught About Martyrdom and the Hatred of Zionists against the Backdrop of the Gaza Fighting" (December 29, 2008)

MEMRI.org - Special Dispatch - No. 2169: "Khamenei Decrees: Israel is Kafer-e-Harbi; Iranian Martyrdom Seekers Await Khameini's Orders; Iranian Student Organizations Threaten to Take Over Egyptian, Jordanian Diplomatic Representations" (December 31, 2008)

Link

THE MEMRI BLOG.org ("Sources: Fars, Kayhan, Sobh-e Sadeq (Iran), December 29, 2008"): "IRANIAN REACTIONS TO GAZA EVENTS" (Posted December 29, 2008)

YNET NEWS.com (REUTERS): "AFGHAN TALIBAN URGE MUSLIMS TO RISE UP OVER GAZA RAIDS" (Published December 29, 2008, 14:11)

FreeRepublic.com - Discussion Forum (YNET NEWS.com): "RED ALERT SOUNDED IN ASHKELON" (December 29, 2008, 11:54)

TERRORISM-INFO.org.il - INTELLIGENCE AND TERRORISM INFORMATION CENTER: "OPERATION CAST LEAD - Updated No. 2" (December 29, 2008)

TERRORISM-INFO.org.il - INTELLIGENCE AND TERRORISM INFORMATION CENTER: "OPERATION CAST LEAD - Updated No. 1" (December 28, 2008)

FreeRepublic.com - Discussion Forum (Israel.INTERNET-HAGANAH.COM): "OPERATION CAST LEAD The IDF's Fight Against Terror in Gaza" (December 28, 2008)

YNET NEWS.com: "IDF: TUNNEL BOMBING CRIPPLES HAMAS" by Hanan Greenberg (SNIPPET: "Israeli fighter jet destroy 40 tunnels along Philadelphi Route using precision bombs.") (Published December 29, 2008, 0031)

JPOST.com (AP): "SAUDI CLERIC CALLS FOR TARGETING ISRAELIS ALL OVER THE WORLD" (SNIPPET: "A Saudi Web site reported on Sunday that a popular cleric issued a fatwa urging Muslims to target Israeli interests "everywhere," to avenge the attacks on the Gaza strip. The site, Rasid, posts news about Saudi Arabia's Shiite community and said that Sheik Awadh al-Garni issued a religious edict..." (December 28, 2008, 23:07)

THE MEMRI BLOG.org ("Source: www.palestine-info.info/ar, December 28, 2008"): "SAUDI CLERIC 'AWADH AL-QARNI HAS ISSUED A FATWA PERMITTING TO TARGET ISRAELI INTERESTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IN RETALIATION FOR THE GAZA ATTACK.") (Posted December 28, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (YNET NEWS.com): "IRANIAN TOP DOG: "'All the Islamic world's pious people' must fight Israel" (December 28, 2008)

JIHAD WATCH.org (NAHARNET): "HIZBALLAH TOP DOG PREDICTS DIVINE VICTORY FOR HAMAS" (December 28, 2008)

FreeRepublic.com - Discussion Forum (YNET NEWS): "ROCKETS LAND EAST OF ASHDOD" (December 28, 2008)

FreeRepublic.com - Discussion Forum (YNET NEWS.com): "REPORT: ISRAELI AIR FORCE ATTACKS GAZA CITY" (December 27, 2008)

JTA.org: Jerusalem - "OLMERT TO ISRAELIS: UNITE AROUND GAZA OPERATION" (December 27, 2008)

Israel.INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "HaYishuv" - UPDATES (December 27, 2008)

Link

ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS.com: "IDF RELEASES PHOTOS OF HAMAS TARGETS, TERROR TRAINING FACILITIES" by Hana Levi Julian (Kislev 30, 5769, December 27, 2008, 10:15 pm)

Jerusalem.USCONSULATE.gov: "WARDEN MESSAGE - U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS DUE TO IDF MILITARY OPERATIONS IN GAZA" (December 27, 2008)

Travel.State.Gov - TRAVEL WARNING: "ISRAEL, THE WEST BANK AND GAZA" (September 26, 2008)

IDF.il

IDF Spokesperson.com

IDFnadesk on YouTube.com

Twitter.comIsraelConsulate

[Cindy]

ping.

[Doc Hunter]

Good shot by the Israeli’s

[Cindy]

ADDING to post no. 1:

VIDEO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvBf-Vh4pNg&eurl=http://idfspokesperson.com/

“IDF VLOG UPDATE: Hamas Terrorists in UN School - Capt. Benjamin Rutland - 6 Jan. 2009”

VIDEO DESCRIPTION - QUOTE:

Subscribeidfnadesk
January 06, 2009
(less info)

6 Jan. 2009 -IDF forces strike Hamas terrorists who cynically used a United Nations school as shelter while firing mortar bombs at Israeli soldiers, thus endangering Palestinian civilians. IDF Spokesman Capt. Benjamin Rutland reports on yet another instance of Hamas’ exploitation of Gazans as human shields.

Category: News & Politics
Tags: Israel Gaza fighting IDF Spokesperson Hamas terror operation Cast Lead rockets Islam Jihad Middle East Palestinian school UN UNWR

[Citizen Tom Paine]

What kind of men(?) store explosives in a school? Wolves and sharks have a higher moral standard.

[Steamburg]

Sadly, its hard to say that you are fighting the war for your childrens’ future when you use them as shields to cover your mortar sights. .

[Cindy]

VIDEOS:

VIDEOS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2m4HbiIKKA&feature=channel_page
“Hamas Militants and Weapons in Urban Gaza Hit by Israel Air Force 6 Jan. 2009”
(Added January 6, 2009)

#

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5TXvrl9CO4&feature=channel_page

“Israeli Ground Forces in Gaza 6 Jan. 2009”
(Added January 6, 2009)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j61ktUeDDuo&feature=channel_page

“Operation Cast Lead: Background Briefing 6 Jan. 2009”
(Added January 6, 2009)

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hamas/index

#

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3651783,00.html

“Report: Hamas stealing aid supplies to sell to residents
Grim picture of Gazans’ lives painted by reports emerging from Strip, claiming gunmen hiding in civilian homes, using residents as human shields, and hijacking trucks of humanitarian aid”

Roee Nahmias
Published: 01.06.09, 22:32 / Israel News

SNIPPET: “A government or a gang?”

[Cindy]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3651852,00.html
(REUTERS)

“Canada: Hamas responsible for deadly Gaza attack”
Published: 01.07.09, 01:00 / Israel News

[Cindy]

VIDEO:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=46e_1231230093

“”Hitler Didn’t Do a Good Job””
Gaza “Peace” Thugs Chant And Get Aggressive. Toronto, Canada
(Added January 2, 2009)

[Cindy]

http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey

#

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231167283327&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Jan 6, 2009 21:37
“Israeli team flees to changing room in Turkey”
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
ANKARA,

[Cindy]

http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

#

Note: The following blog entry is a quote:

http://www.thememriblog.org/turkey/blog_personal/en/12715.htm

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council chief arrives in Ankara to discuss the situation in Gaza

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council chief will arrive in Ankara on Wednesday to deliver President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s message regarding the Israeli offensive on Gaza.

Source: Hurriyet (Turkey), January 6, 2009

Posted at: 2009-01-06

[Cindy]

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/158816

“Sarkozy Tells Assad: Stop Hamas”
Reported: 22:10 PM - Jan/06/09

[Cindy]

RECAP:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7812187.stm

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2159461/posts

Tunisian bomb attack trial opens
BBC NEWS ^ | Page last updated at 16:59 GMT, Monday, 5 January 2009 | n/a
Posted on January 6, 2009 12:16:08 AM PST by Cindy

SNIPPET: “Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is being tried in absentia for the 2002 attack”

SNIPPET: “Telephone calls

Kuwaiti-born Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is accused of organising the bombing, which killed 14 German tourists, five Tunisians and two French nationals.

Under French law the death of the two French means a trial can be held in France.

According to court documents, suicide bomber Nizar Nouar called Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Mr Ganczarski, a convert to Islam who specialised in communications, just before he drove the gas-laden truck into the synagogue.”

(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...

45 posted on January 6, 2009 12:25:47 AM PST by Cindy

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/synagogue
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/france

#

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3651286,00.html

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2159462/posts

Burning car rams synagogue door in France
AP via YNET NEWS.com ^ | Published: 01.06.09, 09:49 / Israel News | n/a
Posted on January 6, 2009 12:19:12 AM PST by Cindy

Breaking News

A burning car was rammed into a synagogue door in southwest France as the interior minister convened Muslims, Jews and police in Paris to warn against contagion from the Gaza conflict.

(Excerpt) Read more at ynetnews.com ...

#

[Cindy]

I agree and unfortunately, jihad is a culture of death.

[Cindy]

OPINION:

Men who don’t care.

[Moonman62]

The real scandal is how Hamas was able to use a UN school as a military base.

[Cindy]

Thanks to Godzilla (Threat Matrix on FreeRepublic.com) for the ping to this article:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,477069,00.html

“Al Qaeda No. 2 Blames Obama, Egypt’s President for Gaza”
Tuesday, January 06, 2009

CAIRO, Egypt