Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch wrote the following commentary about the situation in Israel and Gaza:

January 5, 2009

Israel Is Exercising Its Right of Self-Defense

Opponents and enemies of Israel are in full hue and cry over Israel’s attack on the terrorist organization Hamas and its government and military installations in Gaza. The main criticism is that the Israeli response to the rocketing of southern Israel is “disproportionate.” There is little, if any, dispute that Israel’s goal of ending all rocket attacks on Israel and its civilian population, is reasonable and indeed sanctioned by international law. continue reading…

Like

Unlike

Humanitarian aid trucks, loaded with 1,119 tons of supplies, were transferred through the Kerem Shalom Crossing into the Gaza Strip today. The products transferred include flour, medical equipment, and medicine donated by international organizations and several countries, such as: United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), United Nations World Food Programme, the Red Cross, the Egyptian Government, and the Jordanian Government. In addition, 215,000 liters of diesel were transferred to support the activities of UNRWA and 45 tons of natural gas for use in civilian homes.

All photos courtesy IDF Spokesperson.

Like

Unlike

Two opinion pieces in today’s paper discuss the current operations against Hamas in light of the worldwide efforts to combat terrorist entities.  William Kristol, writing in the New York Times, discusses how Israel has managed to learn from her mistakes made in conducting a war against Hizbullah two years ago.  He also notes that Israel does not have to hold onto Gaza for this counterterrorism operation to succeed, an important point that has not been made enough.

An editorial in the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) makes many of the same points, but emphasizes the role these operations play in fighting the extremist ideologies backed by Iran.  As long as Israel’s military is able to send a forceful and convincing message to Iran and her allies, the moderates in the Middle East–as well as Europe and the United States–will all be better off.

Like

Unlike

As this video shows, evidently, Hamas does.  Upon entering Gaza, the IDF has found tunnels and stores of weapons in some pretty strange places–many of which are in civilian areas (like the bathroom above).

You can find more videos and footage on YouTube.

Like

Unlike

Three crossings into Gaza were open today (05 January).  This allowed approximately 80 truckloads of supplies and 200,000 liters of gasoline (for the Gaza power plant) to enter the Gaza Strip.

Israel has been working with the International Committee of the Red Cross to conduct necessary humanitarian work in the Gaza Strip.  The ICRC reports that a war surgery team has received authorization to enter Gaza (which it has done) and that it has escorted teams of Palestinian technicians working to repair water mains and power lines in the northern Gaza Strip.  In addition, Israel and the ICRC have worked to ensure safe passage to even the most dangerous areas for ambulances and a fire brigade.

Finally, Israel has actively assisted the many non-governmental organizations working in Gaza to help the Palestinian people.  At a meeting yesterday (04 January), NGO representatives discussed some of the more pressing problems with the Israeli government including: availability of wheat and gasoline and a shortage of cash.
During the second part of the meeting, Foreign Minister Livni herself met with the NGO representatives to better understand the situation on the ground from their point of view.  The NGOs expressed their satisfaction with the level of Israeli cooperation.
At this meeting, the representative of the World Health Organization mentioned that setting up a field hospital was not necessary.  He did note, however, that the Palestinians were preventing the wounded from being evacuated to Israel, preferring that they be evacuated to Egypt.

Like

Unlike

President Shimon Peres appeared yesterday on ABC’s “This Week” with George Stephanopoulos.  He discussed Israel’s position on the six-month “state of calm” that expired last month and insisted that a future ceasefire must ensure that no further terror emanate from Gaza.  You can read more of the President’s comments and watch video excerpts of the interview on the George’s Bottom Line blog.

Like

Unlike