Re “Hamas Version of Humanitarian Aid: Load of Cement Mixers”
[Editor’s Note: As Hamas terrorists continue firing rockets into Israel, sending frightened residents underground, our correspondent resumes her daily update.]
Dateline Jerusalem — It was a peaceful Shabbat for me, but I cannot say that for the rest of Israel. I do not have the siren count for Friday night because it was Shabbat and I am Shabbat-observant, meaning I do not watch television, listen to the radio, use my computer. By midnight Saturday, there were 69 Code Red Siren alerts just for Saturday. By midnight Sunday, however, 86 Code Red Siren alerts had sounded 120 rockets had been launched at Israel yesterday. Since the war began on July 8, 3,200 rockets have been launched by Hamas at civilians in Israel.
Despite the rockets, the Israeli army transferred 186 truckloads of goods to the Palestinians in Gaza yesterday and kept the border crossing open. The Israeli Defense Forces unilaterally have withdrawn from Gaza. How does Hamas thank Israel for the withdrawal of troops and transfer of goods? By bombarding Israel with non-stop rocket and missile fire. I do not understand why we are withdrawing troops. Are we only going to be on the defensive? Perhaps if we took the offensive, ignoring what the gullible anti-Semitic world says, Israelis may then be able to live in peace — outside of bomb shelters, safe rooms and stairwells.
Now there is a call for still another cease- fire. Since Hamas has not complied with any of them, from whom are they actually demanding a cease- fire? Israel. Israel has the okay to defend itself, but only as long as it does not defend itself. There can be no cease- fire as long as Hamas has the capability of firing rockets into Israel.
There was another outcry about civilians near a United Nations school that got caught in a crossfire outside the gates of the compound. Why were they there, except to be human shields? Interesting to note that U.N. facilities seem to be involved in every aspect of this war. Whether rockets are shot from them or hidden inside them, the U.N. has become a major player. Speaking of schools, why is there no outcry about a rocket that landed in the yard of an Israeli school?
Abrupt, Scary Silence
At 5 yesterday afternoon, I was listening to a 24-hour English language news program from Tel Aviv. Suddenly the newscast stopped. All I could hear were sirens. I checked my Code Red Alert maps that indicate where and when sirens are broadcast. It seems rockets were shot into several cities near me, avoiding my town. Of course, the sirens I heard were for the rockets over Tel Aviv.
Most Israelis are trying to live normal lives. The exceptions are those in the south. They are threatened around the clock and only have seconds to find safety when the sirens blare. I have a minute. That is an eternity for those who must find shelter within a few seconds. Most of Israel feels that Hamas wins if it is able to paralyze life here. Some friends have lived here for 30 years and have endured several wars. They believe this war is the worst. Others think nothing of it. I guess it all has to do with the perspective of the individual Israeli. I do not go out if I do not have to go to the market or a doctor appointment. Once I am out, I have gone for coffee or a snack. I do not go out at night. I do not go to areas without accessible shelters.
It has been a long day. I am hoping for a quiet night.
We Have Seen This Movie
Friday had started with sirens screaming and running to my stairwell. It was just after 1 in the morning. I was wide awake, writing my update. Three booms blasted before I could return to my apartment. I might as well move into my stairwell. Allegedly the 72-hour cease-fire, for “humanitarian” purposes, was supposed to go into effect at 8 a.m. Between 7:30 and the magic hour of 8, Hamas fired 13 rockets into Israel.
The rest of the world was under the illusion, or delusion, that Hamas was actually complying. At 10:04, Code Red Alert sirens were blaring again. Unknown to Israelis at the time, at 9:30 a.m., Hamas had violated the cease-fire by attacking Israeli soldiers, killing three of them, may they rest in peace. Thank you, world, for forcing Israel into another idiotic cease-fire with terrorists whose idea of a cease fire is to have Israel cease while they fire.
Adding to the bad news of the day, Israeli residents in Hebron found a tunnel filled with weapons and ammunition under an Arab house near a children's playground and other housing. When the Israeli army was searching for the three kidnapped Israeli students a month ago, they also uncovered terror tunnels in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). These are not tunnels in Hamas- controlled Gaza. These are in Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah territory. So much for our “peace partner” Abbas. Once a terrorist, always a terrorist. Abbas's nom de guerre was Abu Mazen, originally known for financing the Munich massacre of Israeli athletes at the Olympics years ago.
L'hitraot. Shachar