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Hamas Is Moving Toward War With Israel
Pajamas Media ^ | April 7, 2011 | Barry Rubin

Posted on 04/08/2011 6:47:47 AM PDT by Kaslin

Two events show us that an emboldened Hamas in the Gaza Strip is moving toward war with Israel.

First, an Israeli school bus, painted bright yellow, was hit by fire from the Gaza Strip and at least one child was seriously wounded. This is not just another terrorist attack but part of a wider strategy. What is strategically significant here is how the bus was attacked. Usually, attacks from the Gaza Strip — either carried out or sanctioned by the Hamas regime there — are by homemade rockets, mortars, or attempted cross-border ground attacks. Deaths and damage are usually random.

In this case, though, the attack was carried out with an advanced anti-tank rocket. In other words, a terrorist deliberately aimed at the bus and fired, hoping to kill the maximum number of children.

But there’s more. Hamas can fire an advanced anti-tank rocket because the Egyptian revolution has ended a regime that acted in its own interest to block most arms shipments to Hamas. The Egypt-Gaza border is now open. Terrorists and superior weapons are flooding into Gaza.

Another demonstration of this fact was the second major incident in which Hamas fired an Iranian-made Grad missile, far superior to the usual homemade rockets, at Israel. In this case, it was shot down by an Israeli anti-missile, part of the new defense system deployed only a few days earlier. A total of 50 rockets and mortars were fired on that one day, equaling the number shot from the Gaza Strip at Israel during the entire month of March. There were also several attempts at cross-border ground attacks, more in one day than at any time in the past.

It was clear to the Hamas leadership that this escalation — and probably more to follow — brings the situation closer to another war like the one fought in December 2008-January 2009 after Hamas ended the ceasefire and launched a massive rocket and mortar barrage against Israel.

While saved politically by Western intervention — which does not favor the overthrow of the Hamas regime and largely accepted Hamas propaganda portraying Israel as a villain — that war was a bad defeat for Hamas. Its forces fought quite poorly, especially when compared to Hizballah’s units in 2006 in Lebanon.

Why, then, is Hamas provoking a new war? Part of the answer, of course, is ideology. Hamas believes that the deity is on its side, that victory is inevitable, and that martyrdom is a substitute for good military strategy and strength. Hamas is also indifferent to casualties, material damage, and the suffering of its own people. Its goal is total victory, Israel’s destruction, and the mass murder of Israeli Jews.

But none of that is new. What is new is a shift in the strategic situation. The recent upheavals in the Arab world have emboldened revolutionary Islamists and Hamas most of all. Its close ally, the Muslim Brotherhood, can operate freely in Egypt. There is much support for Islamism in the Egyptian army. And even the “moderate” presidential candidate Muhammad ElBaradei said that Egypt would go to war if Israel attacked the Gaza Strip.

Does Egypt want war with Israel? Of course not. But Hamas calculates — and, of course, it often miscalculates — that crisis with Israel will increase its support from Egypt and perhaps even create a situation where Cairo intervenes on its side on some level.

At a minimum, thousands of Egyptian volunteers, mobilized by the Brotherhood, might fight on its side, money would be raised in Egypt on its behalf, and large amounts of arms would flow across the border. Then, too, international public opinion could be mobilized against Israel with tales — often phony — of atrocities as happened last time. And the Palestinian Authority (PA), ruling the West Bank, could be shamed and subverted. While the PA can claim to be delivering some prosperity — which the West thinks is all people care about — Hamas can deliver heroism and jihad.

Thus, a dangerous crisis is being developed that could bring renewed war within two years and possibly far less time. It’s a crisis for which U.S. and European policy is totally unprepared. And their most likely response — demands for a ceasefire and criticism of Israel — would benefit Hamas.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: israel

1 posted on 04/08/2011 6:47:48 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

I blame this on Obama. Lay it all at the ONE’s feet. He had to change the Govt. in Egypt, had to happen now He said.

Like He didn’t know this was going to happen ?


2 posted on 04/08/2011 6:56:36 AM PDT by reefdiver ("Let His day's be few And another takes His office")
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To: reefdiver
I blame this on Obama

Bush deserves some blame too, for thinking that democracy in Gaza would be a good thing.

3 posted on 04/08/2011 6:58:10 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: reefdiver

I am not sure if he knew that this would happen Being that he is totally clueless


4 posted on 04/08/2011 6:59:09 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: Kaslin

Then let it happen, and turn lose the Hounds. No more PC wars like Lebanon. Give Gaza 48 hours to let the non combatants leave, then level the place(shame they don’t have any B-52’s). Of course the Mussie dogs will keep the Women and Children as sheilds and show the dead to CNN with their crocodile tears, so be it.


5 posted on 04/08/2011 7:10:17 AM PDT by DAC21
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To: Kaslin
Photobucket
6 posted on 04/08/2011 7:13:47 AM PDT by baddog 219
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To: Kaslin

Unfortunately “ temporary” peace will be achieved only if one or the other side will either win or lose, this may happen before too long


7 posted on 04/08/2011 7:18:26 AM PDT by saintgermaine
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To: Kaslin

When is Hamas not moving toward war with Israel?


8 posted on 04/08/2011 7:20:20 AM PDT by Jack Hydrazine (It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine!)
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To: Kaslin

The headline makes it sound like this is news.

The PA has made it clear for decades what their intent is. The UN and the international Left are supportive of their cause.


9 posted on 04/08/2011 7:32:43 AM PDT by lurk
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To: Kaslin
a terrorist deliberately aimed at the bus and fired, hoping to kill the maximum number of children.

That pretty much constitutes an act of war. Israel will retaliate. The only question is when. Those Pales will know it when the time comes. Shouldn't have done this when Bibi is in charge.

10 posted on 04/08/2011 7:40:06 AM PDT by McGruff (Get use to using the term "Proofers" not "Truthers")
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To: DAC21
"(shame they don’t have any B-52’s)"

They don't need B-52's.
Some decent artillery should do the trick.

11 posted on 04/08/2011 3:01:42 PM PDT by StormEye
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To: dennisw; Cachelot; Nix 2; veronica; Catspaw; knighthawk; Alouette; Optimist; weikel; Lent; GregB; ..
Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

12 posted on 04/08/2011 3:44:25 PM PDT by SJackson (Normal people don't sit cross-legged on the floor and bang on drums, WI State Sen Glenn Grothman (R))
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To: Kaslin

More PC?


13 posted on 04/08/2011 3:54:30 PM PDT by onedoug (If)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; Delacon; ...

Wow! When did this start?!?

/s

Thanks Kaslin.


14 posted on 04/08/2011 4:04:59 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Thanks Cincinna for this link -- http://www.friendsofitamar.org)
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To: Kaslin
I hate to say it but Israel will be denied it right to self-defence by the world media.
15 posted on 04/08/2011 10:14:20 PM PDT by oyez (The difference in genius and stupidity is that genius has limits.)
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To: oyez

Of course


16 posted on 04/09/2011 4:42:29 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: reefdiver

I just hope that Obama doesn’t play games with Israel. The Israeli’s have a right to defend themselves. i can see our Moslem President supporting a UN Libya type no fly zone. Somehow I see the whole Mideast up risings being part of an Arab Brotherhood plan to destroy Israel. You can bet that Obummer will either fall for it or is part of the plan.


17 posted on 04/09/2011 8:22:48 PM PDT by ncfool (The new USSA - United Socialist States of AmeriKa. Welcome to Obummers world or Obamaville USSA.)
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