Hamas And Syria Feel Israel's Fury

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 6-29-2006 | Tim Butcher

[blam]

Hamas and Syria feel Israel's fury

By Tim Butcher in Rafah
(Filed: 29/06/2006)

Israel showed off its military might from Gaza to Syria yesterday as Ehud Olmert, the prime minister, threatened "extreme steps" to secure the release of an abducted teenage soldier.

An Israeli soldier carries a shell to a 155mm mobile artillery unit firing towards Gaza

Tanks occupied a small section of southern Gaza near Rafah in the early hours, forcing at least 20 Palestinians to flee their homes, while planes bombed nearby unmanned training camps belonging to Hamas.

Aircraft also attacked three bridges connecting Gaza's northern and southern sectors and destroyed the area's sole power station, the source of electricity for 850,000 people.

In a clear message to Syria, the refuge for the exiled extremist wing of Hamas - the Palestinian ruling party - aircraft buzzed the summer residence of President Bashar al-Assad on the Mediterranean coast.

Israel justified the destruction of Palestinian infrastructure on the grounds that the bombings were intended to secure the release of Cpl Gilad Shalit, a 19-year-old gunner seized from a tank by Palestinian militants during a tunnel raid on Israel on Sunday.

The United States endorsed the Israeli tactics, saying: "Israel has a right to defend itself and the lives of its citizens."

But in London the Foreign Office said the destruction of the power plant was collective punishment.

"We are opposed to collective punishment," a spokesman said. "We have made this clear today to the Israeli government."

[Just Lori]

.....aircraft buzzed the summer residence of President Bashar al-Assad on the Mediterranean coast.

They need to remind Mr. al ASSad that those aircraft are armed!

[Bobibutu]

If I am correct - I read that there were 4 jets and they broke the sound barrier while crusing over his villa and they had info that he was there at the time.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm sweet!

[tlj18]

The Israelis say that there was "noise" on the ground when the planes flew over. Also, they did it in 2003, but they flew so low that they broke some of his windows :-)

[InterceptPoint]

"We are opposed to collective punishment," a spokesman said. "We have made this clear today to the Israeli government."

Two comments:

1. People do get the government they deserve. That goes in spades for the Palistinians and their Hamas government.

2. If the Brits don't like "collective punishment" then I guess assassination is OK.

[baltoga]

Israel taunting Syria to challenge them in the air. I wonder if Syria accept the challenge or just stay on the ground?

[Bobibutu]

Well - each side put up around 100 jets back around '82? - I'm too lazy to search for the exact date but the result was 80 some Syrian losses and 0 for Israel.

I think each remembers that well.

[Steely Tom]

I'm guessing that Bashir doesn't have any airplanes to waste.

[Just Lori]

Ahhhhhh..... the "We know where you are" tactic. The "And we can take you out" tactic goes without saying.

[baltoga]

You're absolutely right. Long read, but here's an analysis of the 1982 Bekaa Valley Air Battle.

http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj89/hurley.html

[baltoga]

Israel will probably continue to taunt Syria. Bashir is faced with a bitter pill of humiliation.

[ASOC]

Nothing like blowing across town at a grand....

That'll suck the glass out of parked cars for sure.....

[Glenmerle]

"We are opposed to collective punishment," a spokesman said.

By this reasoning, they would have been against World War II. What's war if it's not "collective punishment"? Idiots.

[gas0linealley]

"But in London the Foreign Office said the destruction of the power plant was collective punishment.

"We are opposed to collective punishment," a spokesman said. "We have made this clear today to the Israeli government."

I guess the Brits owe an apology to Germany.

[Bobibutu]

Sharon did the right thing pulling out the settlers - gave the mil many more options which we are seeing now.

As I posted before - I was in Japan during the start of the 6 day war - many locals in Tokyo were wearing buttons that read - "5-10-5"

I finally had to ask ...

Short of the long - 5 is pronounced "go"

10 is pronounced "jew"

Loved it.

[fso301]

I think each remembers that well.

The young syrian pilots have no living memory of it and were probably quite agitated today until the older ones sat them down and explained what it means to be grounded.

[Bobibutu]

And BTW - yah - suck the windows big time.

I have had the priviledge of landing and catapulting
off of carriers 5 times (yankee station) circa: '60s.

Never did the sound barrier - what I would give to do that over Syria.

[AlaskaErik]

But in London the Foreign Office said the destruction of the power plant was collective punishment.

Bull crap. They are nothing more than animals and animals don't need electricity.

[Enchante]

"The young syrian pilots have no living memory of it and were probably quite agitated today until the older ones sat them down and explained what it means to be grounded."

LOL!! "Hey, young Mohammed, we love that you want to prove your worth (sic) against the Hated Jewish Imperialist Zionist Infidel Intruders (HJIZIIs), but for the Greater Glory of Allah we must follow HIS instructions today. Allah, in his infinite wisdom, has dictated that all our planes be 'grounded' so long as the Hated Jewish Imperialist Zionist Infidel Intruders (HJIZIIs) are buzzing around today, because the time is not yet ripe for us to deal a mortal blow to these savage oppressors. In other words, if we even manage to get off the ground the Israel pilots will make Swiss cheese of our sorry asses before we even see them coming!"

[Ainast]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

hearing that makes me feel all warm and toasty inside.