By Ted Belman
PM Netanyahu gave a speech today and pledged to destroy the tunnels with out without a ceasefire.
Haaretz reports on the speech;
“We have so far neutralized dozens of terror tunnels and we are determined to complete this task. Therefore, I will not agree to any cease-fire that does not enable the IDF to complete this very important task. Hamas has been hit hard by both the IDF and the Shin, who are closely coordinated. We have delivered harsh blows to thousands of terror targets, rockets depots, manufacturing sites, and launching sites, and hundreds of terrorists have been killed. These achievements and the operation to neutralize the tunnels are only the first step in demilitarizing the Gaza Strip. The United States and the European Union have accepted our stance, and though it was difficult to achieve, we have done so, through hard work.”
This is what I surmised yesterday in my post Washinton has changed its tune . Nice to see he is confirming it.
This is what lead me believe that a deal was in the works to agree to a cease fire when tunnels are destroyed to parallel demilitarization with the opening of borders and rebuilding of Gaza.
Dan Margalit, writing in Israel Hayom sees a deal as a few days off:
The trio has a hard time settling on an endgame that would let Israel keep its battleground accomplishments while prompting Hamas to halt its fire. The three leaders are also in search of a path that would be compatible with the world’s twisted ethical code, according to which Israel may be right but it must stop exercising its right to self-defense (this is the message coming out of the White House and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s office). Ya’alon and Netanyahu also want to pursue a policy that would meet the demands set by the Right, which has insisted on widening the scope of the operation even though the bang for the buck would be minimal.
[..] When ministers at the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet demanded that Israel conquer more and more land in the Gaza Strip, the military presented them with a casualty estimate. This was enough to silence the ministers inside the room, but not on the airwaves.
H ends with:
The objectives should be met without any fear and without hesitation on our part. It will be time for a cease-fire in a few days. Only then will it be time to end this operation. But if Mashaal refuses, Israel should consider unilateral moves. There is nothing inherently wrong in ending things this way.
@ mar55:
Thank you for you kind words, I shall put them into practice. Your advice sounds much like my Navajo friend Morning Joy. She learned to say a Blessing in Hebrew so she could Bless me.
@ honeybee:
HB you are telling me you do not know how to pray. You who live surrounded by nature and all the beauty of G-d’s creation. Don’t you think that giving thanks to our Creator for all that surrounds us. For all the living things as well as the dead things dry leaves for example all part of this beautiful planet working in perfect harmony and each one of them serving its purpose. You marvel at your surroundings and then you thank our Creator. The birth of a fawn and all that follows in its development. Honeybee you are praying. Praying with a congregation is fellowship. When I’m tired and my heart is aching I keep reading the Psalms because I’m not capable of anything else of praying with my own words. Hashem does not mind. Repeated prayers…Words without thoughts never to Heaven go. Remember praying does not have to be organized or memorized. They are just as valid. G-d knows of your love for Him.
Max Said:
What is reality and what “parts” connect with it. I stood in front of a mirror, quite naked, and all parts seem to be intact.
honeybee Said:
You still haven’t said when and how this was communicated to you? Were you whisked off on a UFO and given an engraved deed to the plant earth by G_D ? Where is that deed? Did you communicate by telepathy?
I asked you three times and still you don’t even understand the question.
You seem to be missing the parts that connect to reality.
Max Said:
Yes, given at Creation.
honeybee Said:
NO no not a blessing a “ownership” is what you previously said.
Seriously, I wish to understand how you have this strange conclusion that the Almighty gave human beings the natural world to so with as they wished – what was it a birthday present? How did the Almighty communicate to you? Is that written in the Koran?
Max Said:
I never learned and formal prayers to say, but then the are just words. Every time I see cattle peacefully grazing, watch a doe nurse her fawn, see a magnificent buck in the house yard or hear a coyote sing at 2:00 am I thank CREATOR [as my Amer. Indian fried calls the ALMIGHTY ] for the blessing.
honeybee Said:
Even as an atheist I consider prayer to be valuable as a form of mediation and spiritual self-direction.
..
Interesting though, how did G_D tell you he gave you the antelopes and cougars etc as your playthings if you never communicated in prayer?
@ yamit82:
72 hr. cease fire, I don’t want to say I told you so, but I told you so !!!!!!!!!! Darlin. As for our little wager, you owe me boy !!!!!!!!!!! Remember those horns on you backside that I want to see ?????? As soon as the shootings over I want hear your belt buckle hit the floor, Soldier. And the I shall return home with Dagmar in tow. She is going to learn to be a cow dog and not have to depend on a man for walkies !!!!!!!!!!!!!
mar55 Said:
I never learned to pray.
@ yamit82:
During this time of painful tribulation I get really antsy just thinking about Israel. Knowing a three years old cannot sleep and goes to the shelter asking his mother to sleep with him. The soldiers of the IDF in danger not knowing what they are going to encounter in those tunnels. The only thing that calms my nerves is praying. After praying several times a day and specially at night I always ask Hashem to protect our soldiers and pray for my soldier and Samuel boys to make them invisible to the enemy. Protect the entire force and make warriors of the weak and shield the strong of the eyes of the enemy. It give me a feel of grateful satisfaction to know the Almighty is listening to our prayers.
Yamit82. How are you taking care of yourself and your puppy under these circumstances?
You have the protection of G-d. HB surely is praying for you and so are we all. Patient and prayer for all in Israel. Our prayers will continue.
AbbaGuutuu Said:
Hamas is going to be represented by Abbas. Although there is a difference between Hamas and PA, they pretend as though there is no difference among them in order to fool others (unsuspecting ones). I don’t think Israel trusts both PA and Hamas, though PA for now is not in a position to challenge Israel unlike Hamas.