A sample:

The United Nations estimates that 25 percent of Palestinian casualties in the present incursion are civilian. Shariv said that as of this Wednesday morning, the IDF estimated the proportion of Palestinian civilians among those killed in the current incursion was “closer to 12 to 13 percent” and emphasized that most of those killed were being used as human shields by Hamas, which wages war from inside schools, hospitals and United Nations facilities.
He added, “When they hit [Israeli] civilians, there’s celebration. When we hit [Palestinian] civilians, there’s an investigation.”

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As you can see from the following graphs, while rocket and mortar fire from Gaza slowed during the “lull,” it never fully stopped.  (The graphs are taken from a report published last month.)

In addition, rather than use the “state of calm” to promote peace and to build a civilian infrastructure in Gaza, Hamas took advantage of the situation to expand its terrorist capabilities.  In addition to continuing to fire rockets and mortars, Hamas also smuggled weapons and other materiel from Egypt, and expanded its tunnel network, going so far as to dig a tunnel under Israeli territory to kidnap Israeli soldiers.

When Israeli forces acted on intelligence reports and went to investigate the tunnel on 04 November, they came under fire from “Palestinian gunmen” (see news item).  The firefight resulted in the death of 1 gunman and the wounding of several others, and the wounding of 4 Israeli soldiers.  During the following two days, Hamas launched 47 rockets and 10 mortar shells against civilian areas in Israel.  Hamas declared that it had responded to Israel’s actions, and leaders of Israel and Hamas maintained their desire to prevent further escalation of the situation.  However, Hamas continued to attack Israel–mostly by rocket and mortar fire–throughout the next few weeks.  In order to protect its civilian population, Israel took occasional action against these Hamas terrorists (see the list of Palestinian casualties in November 2008 from B’Tselem–all were killed while carrying out hostilities).

In fact, as the “lull” was due to expire on 19 December, Israel still held out hope that Hamas would renew the agreement.  Instead, Hamas declared its unwillingness to renew any agreement and commenced firing rockets and mortars at a higher rate than previously.

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On January 4th, at Bethel Gospel Assembly in Harlem, over 1,200 people stood in support of Israel.

Bishop Carlton T. Brown, Senior Pastor of the Bethel Gospel Assembly, Inc. in Harlem lead his congregation in a special prayer for the State of Israel and all of the lives affected by the recent events in the region.

“Bethel’s commitment to the nation of Israel spans 20 years. If there was ever a time we needed to stand with the people of Israel in prayer, it is at this critical time when they need our urgent support the most.” said Bishop Brown.

“Seeing the support today for the people of Israel is heartwarming,” Asaf Shariv, Consul General of Israel in New York said, “The people of Israel want peace, but it is also our obligations to permit the children of Israel to sleep in peace. Israel has moved from restraint to response. There are children in Israel that do not know what it means to live without “Red Alert,” the 15 second notice that citizens in Sderot to find shelter from an incoming rocket. It is about time that they live in peace.”

Consul General also read the story written by Corporal Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier kidnapped by Hamas from Israel over two and a half years ago, and has since been held without rights in Gaza by Hamas. To see a video of children of New York reading Shalit’s book, click here.

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Hamas still maintains the capacity and will to engage in terrorism. With Iranian assistance, Hamas has extended the reach of its missile strikes to threaten close to one million Israelis. By using Mosques, private homes and other public institutions as arsenals and bases of operation, Hamas has effectively taken the Palestinians of Gaza hostage, using them as human shields.

Over many years Israel has tried to bring an end to the terror attacks from Gaza and was unsuccessful. Hamas abused its truce with Israel not only to keep firing missiles against the civilian population, but also to stockpile weapons and prepare for a confrontation with the IDF.  Israel has no intention to govern Gaza, but operation “Cast Lead” must continue, for the time being, as the IDF acts to gain control over areas from which rockets are being launched on Israeli towns.

Israel must persist in order to achieve its stated objectives: to significantly disable the terrorist infrastructure of Hamas and produce lasting change in the security predicament affecting residents of southern Israel.  No sovereign nation would tolerate the daily targeting of its people.  Still, Israel is not an enemy of the Palestinian residents in Gaza: 400 trucks of humanitarian aid and 10 ambulances were allowed passage into Gaza this week; this assistance will continue.

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As promised, we have continued to answer your questions posed to us during the “Press Conference.”  A number of the questions were similar to each other, so we’ve posted some of the unique ones below.
We are working on posting other questions similar to the ones below together with links to the appropriate answers.

@rataelprince Is a 48-hour ceasefire (as proposed by France) a possible scenario for assessing Hamas intentions?
Israel believes there is no place for a unilateral ceasefire. During the last 6 months the cease fire was used by Hamas to gain power and arms, the effects of which we are seeing now. Israel  isn’t rejecting a cease fire, if that cease fire will be a bilateral one. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/01/world/middleeast/01mideast.html?hp

@rataelprince  Such harsh, intense and merciless strike on #Gaza isn’t a form of collective punishment? (4Geneva Conv, Art. 33)
Israel isn’t aiming at civillians and we morun every civillian hit. Unfortunatlly civillians are hurt due to the fact they are used as human shields. This isn’t collective punishment. Colective punishment are the Qassam rockets fired by Hamas whose sole purpose is to strike civillian populations. Till now most of the wounded civillians are on the Israeli side. to our knowledge 85% of the wounded are Hamas opreatives.

@misscharlie an early Q: Have the attacks in Gaza changed Israel’s policies regarding the Palestinian authority?
No, the Israeli policy remains the same. Israel’s main objective is a two state solution with both countries living side by side in peace. As of now the only Palestinian party that agrees to talks with Israel is Fatah which controls the PA. They are our partners in reaching peace because: a. they’re willing to talk; b. they do not dispute Israel’s right to exist.

@jinjirrie   When will Israel end the illegal occupation it began in 1967 and give back what it has stolen?
If you are referring to the 2 state solution, Israel has proven time and time again that it is capable of transferring Israeli citizens for peace. If you look back to 2005 you will see Israel left the Gaza strip so that the Palestinian people may have sovereignty. The same is now in negotiations regarding the West Bank.

@ericagee    I’m a Jew, did Taglit, love Israel. In my humble opinion, Gaza attack makes us less safe. Why keep up violence when it hasn’t worked?
We wish we didn’t have to resort to a military operation. Unfortunately Israel has no other option than to self defend itself. Hamas did not declare an end to the cease through a press release but through 84 rockets landing in Israeli towns.

@carrotderek  Would retaking the Gaza be considered an objective for the Israeli government?
No, the sole objective  is to stop Hamas rockets from being fired into Israel  civilian population.

@shahidkamal    You’ve killed 384 people so far. Many women and children. How many more children do you aim to kill?
We are not aiming at any children. If you read the news critically, you will see that during the last 8 years 99% of the Qassams hit civilians in Israel out of 10,000 rockets launched. In contrast, 85% of the Palestinians killed in the current operation have been Hamas terrorists. We are sorry for any civilian loss of lives; though I doubt you’ll believe this sorrow is sincere, I assure you it is.

@shelisrael    Did your battle 2 years ago with Hezbollah influence your decisions regarding Hamas now?
No, each front is independent and different. The only similarity between the two fronts is the fact that in both cases Israel was attacked by terrorists breaching its borders.

@BhamaPostJoanna    You say this is for protection. How do you justify the higher number of  civilian deaths in Palestine than in Israel from the action?
Hamas fires missiles from civilians areas against international law.

@didgeman    Will Israel finally do what needs to be done to end the terrorism once and for all or bow to world pressure?
Our main goal is to protect citizens from missiles.  Hope international community will pressure Hamas, not Israel.

@gyokusai    Was the Gaza attack a Kadima/government decision only or was it discussed with Likud/opposition beforehand?
The desicion on the operation was unanimously voted by the Israeli government. The Likud party isn’t a current member of the government as opposed to the Labor and Shas parties who voted for the operation.

@theresaway    International Law criminalizes targeting civilians. Are Israeli leaders scared they will be charged with war crimes for killing so many?
Please read the Law attached:

• Fourth Geneva Convention, Article 28: “The presence of a protected person may not be used to render certain points or areas immune from military operations.”
• Oppenheim’s ‘International Law’: “Civilians do not enjoy absolute immunity. Their presence will not render military objects immune from attack for the mere reason that it is impossible to bombard them without causing injury to the non-combatants.”

For more information on this link, HRW: http://tinyurl.com/9osg3g.

@rahafharfoush I am unconvinced these types of attack have worked or will ever work, how will you measure success?
Our objective is to stop rocket fire on Israel. Practically and theoretically a ceasfire is the best option and a stepping stone towards peace. Unfortunately, Hamas decided to end the ceasefire and fired a barrage of rockets at Israel, which reacted in self defense.

@sethdickens    Do Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have broadband internet access and electricity so they can use Twitter?
Regarding Electricity: The total supply of electricity to the Gaza is 201 -221 MVA based on 3 sources:

• Israel: supplies 124 MVA By 10 high voltage electricity  lines. This supply is constant.
• Egypt: supplies 17 MVA via 2 high voltage electricity lines.
• Gaza power plant: can produce 60 – 80 MVA. The fuels for the plant is brought from Israel and is subject to disruption.  For example, in April 2008, an Israeli fuel tanker driver was killed by Hamas fire.

Regarding Internet: Since we see that the newswires operate from Gaza, and there are youtube uploads and emails sent to the internet, one can only presume that Gaza is online.

@rahafharfoush What about how you keep enlarging Israel’s borders by settling outposts illegally and then gradually legalizing them?

Israel has a judicial system that tries and punishes lawbreakers. The judges who judge the settlers are the same ones who order the government to destroy or modify projects like the security fence. Trials in Israel, like everywhere else, take a long time.
After a request from a reader to clarify the above comment, we submit the following response:
The answer to your query is contained within the question itself.  If Israeli courts deem an outpost illegal, the Israeli government is committed to removing it.  Sometimes the judicial process takes time, but it achieves the necessary lawful results.  In any case, no outpost–legal or illegal–is a reason to launch missiles against civilians (as Hamas does).  All disputes can be resolved around the negotiating table.  As a reminder, Israel withdrew from the entire Gaza Strip in 2005 and removed all civilian and military outposts from the area, yet Hamas has persisted in firing rockets nonetheless.

Please be patient as we continue to answer questions from the session yesterday.

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Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it. (Preamble, quoting Hassan al-Banna)

The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf consecrated for future Moslem generations until Judgement Day. It, or any part of it, should not be squandered: it, or any part of it, should not be given up. Neither a single Arab country nor all Arab countries, neither any king or president, nor all the kings and presidents, neither any organization nor all of them, be they Palestinian or Arab, possess the right to do that. Palestine is an Islamic Waqf land consecrated for Moslem generations until Judgement Day. (Article 11)

Initiatives, and so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences, are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement….
Now and then the call goes out for the convening of an international conference to look for ways of solving the (Palestinian) question. Some accept, others reject the idea, for this or other reason, with one stipulation or more for consent to convening the conference and participating in it. Knowing the parties constituting the conference, their past and present attitudes towards Moslem problems, the Islamic Resistance Movement does not consider these conferences capable of realising the demands, restoring the rights or doing justice to the oppressed. These conferences are only ways of setting the infidels in the land of the Moslems as arbitrators. When did the infidels do justice to the believers? …
There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors. (Article 13)

It is necessary that scientists, educators and teachers, information and media people, as well as the educated masses, especially the youth and sheikhs of the Islamic movements, should take part in the operation of awakening (the masses). It is important that basic changes be made in the school curriculum, to cleanse it of the traces of ideological invasion that affected it as a result of the orientalists and missionaries who infiltrated the region following the defeat of the Crusaders at the hands of Salah el-Din (Saladin). (Article 15)

The Zionist invasion is a vicious invasion. It does not refrain from resorting to all methods, using all evil and contemptible ways to achieve its end. It relies greatly in its infiltration and espionage operations on the secret organizations it gave rise to, such as the Freemasons, The Rotary and Lions clubs, and other sabotage groups. All these organizations, whether secret or open, work in the interest of Zionism and according to its instructions. (Article 28)

World Zionism, together with imperialistic powers, try through a studied plan and an intelligent strategy to remove one Arab state after another from the circle of struggle against Zionism, in order to have it finally face the Palestinian people only. Egypt was, to a great extent, removed from the circle of the struggle, through the treacherous Camp David Agreement. They are trying to draw other Arab countries into similar agreements and to bring them outside the circle of struggle….
The Zionist plan is limitless. After Palestine, the Zionists aspire to expand from the Nile to the Euphrates. When they will have digested the region they overtook, they will aspire to further expansion, and so on. Their plan is embodied in the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion”, and their present conduct is the best proof of what we are saying. (Article 32)

Again, the full document can be found at http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp.

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This may be the end of the questions that we got to answer during the “Press Conference” today, but now we can turn our attention to the questions we couldn’t answer due to lack of time. Thanks again! and stay tuned for more answers.

misscharlie: Will you blog more thorough answers to the most-asked questions?

We hope to have a FAQ on www.israelpolitik.org

gerrykirk: We’ve seen time and again that violence provokes a violent response. Isn’t it time for a more creative solution?

The solution is dialogue, but we cannot and must not ignore attacks on our civilians.

eyeman1: Will birthright travelers be rerouted away from potential terror attacks?

The conflict is now restricted to the Gaza radius, though still endangering 500,000 people. In Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, life is continuing normally.

kppotatoes: Do you think Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories help peace progress?

Israel left Gaza in 2005 to send a message of peace. The answer to this
overture was more rockets
.

penalba: How effective did you find building the wall?

Since Israel completed the security barrier, almost no terrorist attacks have taken place. See http://tinyurl.com/994akc

shahidkamal: Your nation has been disgraced on Twitter. This inverted Nuremberg Trial will not rescue your image.

The point of this was to hear what people have to and to share our point of view with fellow twitters.

xylem: Is the Gaza action to shake the Palestinian people’s faith in the Hamas leadership so they change it from within?

We believe talking is the best way, but we’ll talk only to factions that accept our right to live–a right Hamas denies.

langtind: Why does everybody criticize you for closing the border, when Egypt has done the same?

We also don’t understand. Do you think US or another state would open its border to enemies?

AriNahmani: What is the biggest misconception about Israel in the current conflict? Thanks from Tel Aviv.

That Israel provoked it. People forget that 10000+ missiles and mortar rounds have been launched from Gaza since 2001.

penalba: Why don’t you try peaceful efforts toward Palestine? Just like Daniel Barenboim did? http://bit.ly/S2zL

We did. For example, allowing in international aid, withdrawing from Gaza, signing the Oslo accords, releasing prisnoners.  How did Hamas respond?

DAPPERDUDE: Would Israel consider transfering some of Palestinian Authority forces into Gaza?

This should be decided by the Palestinian Authority. Previously, there have been bloody clashes between PA and Hamas forces.

churchillone: How is a police station in Gaza a “military installation”? Stop the lying and please answer me!!!!

Since Hamas took control over Gaza in 2007, Government installations were turned into Hamas military bases. Today, all Hamas activity is done from Police stations.  See: http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/the_Front/08/12/2701.htm

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shahidkamal: When will you stop using the citizens of Sderot as human shields?
For the definition of human shield see http://tinyurl.com/94vdgn

chucaodemente: When you leave the occupied Palestinian territories?
Israel began with a 2005 withdrawal from Gaza. Israel wants to realize a two-state solution, but not under the constant missile fire from Hamas.

skap5: Do you expect Mubarak to keep the Rafah border crossing closed between Egypt and Gaza?

Expect Egypt to continue what they’ve been doing thus far: Trying to convince Hamas to stop firing rockets, and instead make peace with Israel.

leah144: Israel gave away Gaza and no peace resulted. Will Israel continue giving away land?!

Israel still feels only solution is two states. When Hamas stops firing rockets, we are willing to make more painful
concessions.

mondowitz: How do you justify the killing of children? How will that lead to peace?

Israel does not target civilians the way Hamas does. We mourn every casualty, Palestinian and Israeli.

BhamaPostJoanna: You say this is for protection. How do you justify the higher number civilian deaths in Palestine than Israel from the action?

Hamas fires missiles from civilian areas, a violation of international law.

curvaspoliticas: Please explain the visit by Israel’s UN Ambassador to the Secretary General’s office on the night of December 23. What was discussed? Why did she go?

It was the, 22nd I believe, see
link: http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Foreign+Relations/Israel+and+the+UN/Issues/Israel_submits_letter_of_complaint_to_the_UN_22-Dec-2008.htm

rafaelprince: Isn’t such a harsh, intense and merciless strike on Gaza a form of collective punishment? (4Geneva Conv, Art. 33)

Israel targets Hamas installations, which are, unfortunately, located within civilian areas. Our war is with Hamas, not with Gaza civilians.

didgeman: Will Israel finally do what needs to be done to end the terrorism once and for all or bow to world pressure?

Our main goal is to protect citizens from missiles. We hope the international community will pressure Hamas, not Israel.

anotherpundit: How do you reconcile the number of civilian deaths from airstrikes with your definition of terrorism?

Israel only targets military installations, but unfortunately, damage to civilian targets occurs. However, Hamas purposely puts civilians at risk.

schausse: It seems it’s possible that eliminating Hamas is a first step towards taking on Iran–is that a possibility?

Though Iran is big threat to world peace and provides arms to Hamas, these are different topics.

WyldDarkHeart: Follow up question: You said your ships “escorted [DIGNITY] to international waters.” FreeGaza says DIG was in international waters. Are they mistaken?

The Dignity entered Israeli waters and was escorted out.

tova_s: Why have international personnel from humanitarian organizations been denied entry to Gaza the last few weeks?

The borders are open.  Today, 38 trucks entered Gaza with goods from UNRWA, IRC, WFP etc. 17,000 trucks entered during the state of calm.

majdal: Why is the press not allowed inside Gaza?

The only reason is to keep them out of harm’s way. As of now, all major wires have footage coming out of Gaza.

theresaway: International law criminalizes targeting civilians. Are Israeli leaders scared they will be charged with war crimes for killing so many civilians?

Hamas is the real violator of international law according to Human Rights Watch: http://tinyurl.com/9osg3g

dwightcook: Is there truth to reports that the terrorists place installations and targets around women and children as shields?

Hamas tries to maximize civilian causalties. This is one method. http://tinyurl.com/3nbxqp

carrotderek: Intelligence gathering for targets to strike must take planning months
in advance. Was Israel going to attack regardless?

Responsible countries must be prepared for any event, whether war or peace.

rahafharfoush: What is your definition of Terrorism?

Purposely targeting innocent civilians, like Hamas does in firing 10000+ projectiles since 2001.

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shelisrael: Why have you chosen to come on Twitter. Is that not political in itself?
We saw debate on Twitter and saw people who had unreliable information. We felt Twitter would be a good way to put an official voice out there.

EshanAhmad: Another question: If you are at war with Palestine, then they have every right to attack Israel in order to protect themselves.
We’re not at war with the Palestinian people. We’re at war with Hamas–a group declared a terrorist organization by the US and the EU.

lagwolt: What are you doing to ensure the media is objective when covering the conflict?
This is one of our attempts to open Israel up to questions, in addition to using the mainstream media.

rahathartoush: How will you deal with oncoming humanitarian crisis in Gaza? (Situation was dire before Israel’s attack.)
The border crossing into Gaza have remained open for humanitarian aid. See, for example: http://tinyurl.com/93serf

anotherpundit: What is your definition of “terrorism”?
We have the same definition as the rest of the international community: targeting civilians.

penalba: Do you accept HAMAS as a democratically elected government?
Democracy is not only casting a vote at the polls; it is a set of values including: free speech, tolerance, respect for others with differing viewpoints.

eastmad: If everyone in Gaza holds a bit of a Qassam, will you try to kill them all?
As you can see on CNN a Hamas rocket brigade is pretty easy to spot. Unfortunately, they use civilians as human shields.

knkyvxn: Please explain what a Hamas militant looks like. How old? What gender?
What do they wear? Where do they live? Where do they walk?
They fire Qassams at Israeli civilians.  See, for example: http://tinyurl.com/9u4jdl

rahathartoush: Do you think it’s possible for people with such a bloody history to ever forgive each other and move forward?
Israel seeks to live in peace with her neighbors. As a result, we are working with the Palestinian Authority and other moderates toward a two-state solution.

Amy2Israel: Can you update us on the 48 hour ceasefire?
As of now we have no more data on the matter.

joelpollak: What is the objective of the Gaza operation? To deter Hamas? To destroy Hamas? Also, what is your PR plan for next week?
To stop the rockets fired at 500,000 Israelis

brianoflondon:
How much attention does Israel pay to the religious motivation of Hamas and its effect on their method and tactics?
Hamas has declared jihad on Israel. This means they will go to any extreme to injure Israeli citizens. In addition, they have activated their suicide bombers

isaacson: Its interesting that Hezbollah is sitting this one out. I wonder why.
We’re keeping our eyes on the situation in Lebanon.

xjimenez: The Obama transition team has been relatively “silent online” regarding
the Gaza violence.  Has Israel been in contact with them?
See: ” http://tinyurl.com/9tpyma ”

EhsanAhmad:
You didn’t get my point that Hammas is an elected government, and if you keep attacking them, then they have the right to attack you.
If Hamas’s goals were to better the lives of its citizens, they wouldn’t target Israel. They would invest in education and health, not in bombs.

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The conversations were ‘expanded’ (meaning we removed the short ‘twitter talk’ and re-wrote fully spelled words) but otherwise unchanged.

@rafaelprince: Is a 48-hour cease-fire (as proposed by France) a possible scenario for assessing Hamas’s intentions?
Israel is pro cease-fire, but our experience shows these are used to strengthen
Hamas. The first cease-fire was terminated by Hamas. We’d rather
negotiate than fight.

@misscharlie: Have the attacks in Gaza changed Israel’s policies regarding the Palestinian Authority?
Israel continues to work with the PA to further diplomatic negotiations.

@carrotderek: Is there a connection between the airstrikes and the upcoming election in Israel?
No, the sole purpose of this operation is to protect Israel’s southern border and allow Israelis to live safely.  This operation is indiferrent to politics.

@eastmad: Will Israel try to block emergency aid getting to Gaza from the outside world?
Israel has let in aid today, including trucks from the UNRWA, Red Cross, and World Food Programme.  over the past 6 months or calm, Israel has let in cargo from 17000 trucks.
http://tinyurl.com/7hmf2y

@backlotops: One side has to stop. Why continue what hasn’t worked (mass arial/ground retaliation)? What about the Arab Peace Initiative?
We are for negotiations and are currently holding talks with the Palestinian Authority on the 2 state solution. However, we only talk with those who  accept our right to live.

@peoplesworld: 40 years of military confrontation hasn’t brought security to Israel, why is this different?
We have to protect our citizens.  The only way forward is through negotiations.  Israel left Gaza in 2005 in a bid for
peace. Why has Hamas responded to this overture with missiles?

@ajmil0: Is there any chance that the PA or Egypt would help Israel’s military in a ground invasion or in general?
There are no allied forces involved in this operation.  We appreciate the efforts by Egypt and the Palestinian Authority to bring about an end to the rocket fire. We see they are excercising their better, judgement.

@knkyvxn: How many Palestinian lives are worth one Israeli life?
There is no equation. Every wounded and killed civilian is mourned. Israel is aiming only at Hamas terrorists.

@carrotderek:
What steps are being taken about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza? Is it enough?
Israel does everything in its power to prevent deterioration of situation. http://tinyurl.com/7hmf2y

@WyldDarkHeart:
Regarding the MV DIGNITY incident with Israeli vessel, can you explain what ship did what when?
The Dignity didn’t respond to calls to halt and rammed an IDF ship. It was escorted out to international waters. Until this operation, ships were let in; they are not let in now to keep them from harm.

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