What Did Israel Achieve From Their Deadly Incursion Into GAZA?

January 19-2009:

What Did Israel Achieve From Their Deadly Incursion Into Gaza?

A cease fire for TEN days have been achieved between Israel and HAMAS representatives, mediated by some Arab intermediaries.

However, fifteen thousand or more civilians have been killed by the Israeli's Air force and Artillery shelling of GAZA. Most of these so-called civilians (by and large) are HAMAS sympathizers, supporters, and/or militia personnel.

The infrastructure of GAZA is almost totally devastated, to the point where almost every conceivable essential commodity or service is curtailed, or has become neutralized. And the lengthy trek of UN food supplies are moving ever so slowly into GAZA, after the cease fire was arranged.

And thousands of Gazans are living on the streets, in make shift tents, in caves, and anywhere that is not filled with the debris of buildings or un-exploded bombs.

Who Benefited From This Onslaught?

* Israel's Prime Minister gloated publicly, that his military has achieved the goal it set for itself at the outset of the onslaught.

* He claims that HAMAS is badly wounded, and has been deprived the use of most of the tunnels used for smuggling weapons into Gaza.

And most of their militia have been killed.

This may sound great to Israelis, but Gazans know that even though they have been made homeless in large numbers. They still support HAMAS. And HAMAS has gained political credit from most Arab citizens, and some governments, in the neighboring states.

So What Will President Barack H. Obama Do Now:

Israel was careful not to allow this incursion to last until or after Barack Obama's inauguration. They know fully well how much suffering and death they have (willfully inflicted) upon the Gazans in these few weeks. Most of which was intentionally done by Israel's forces, with the excuse of trying to exterminate HAMAS militia, and their ability to send bombs into Israel's territories.

However, defending one's sovereignty from external or internal terror may be justified. But using any means necessary in doing so, must not be taken for granted. Because there are International laws and rules of warfare, that most UN affiliated states have singed on to, and agree to observe.

And Israel is one of those states that have violated those same laws and rules it vowed to uphold.

Derryck S. Griffith.
Educator-Advocate & Blogger.