Israel begins ground offensive in Gaza

[Bosonic]

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

The Israeli military says it has launched ground operations in the Gaza Strip.

“A large IDF force has just launched a ground operation in the Gaza Strip,” the Israel Defense Forces’ verified Twitter account tweeted at 2:41 p.m. CST. “A new phase of Operation Protective Edge has begun.”


Read more: http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/28715169-418/israel-begins-ground-offensive-in-gaza.html#.U8gpPrH5VrE

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Israel to begin ground offensive in Gaza

Israel says it has instructed its military to begin a ground invasion of Gaza.

http://www.itv.com/news/story/2014-07-17/israel-to-begin-ground-offensive-in-gaza/

Palestinian sources: IDF starts Gaza ground invasion

IDF ground forces began to move into the Gaza Strip on Thursday evening at around 10:30, according to Palestinian news sources and Al-Jazeera.

The IDF did not confirm the reports.

The IDF launched a massive wave of combined air and artillery strikes on Thursday night, in a possible signal that Israel may be on the verge of a ground offensive against Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the
Gaza Strip.

http://www.jpost.com/Operation-Protective-Edge/IDF-intensifies-Gaza-attacks-with-artillery-fire-air-strikes-363289

[KeepItReal]

1. Sky News: Israel PM Instructed Military to Begin Ground Offensive

http://news.sky.com/us/

[Comrade Grumpy]

2. This ought to work out well.

[Blue_Adept]

3. I'm shocked.

How many ground invasions like this have their been over the years? While everything is its own thing, this feels like we've been here before.

[salib]

4. Where are they supposed to go?

From the article:
"IDF drops leaflets over Gaza warning people to vacate their villages."

[maddezmom]

5. They have no place to go

[herding cats]

7. Excellent question.

They have no place to vacate their villages to.

[alsame]

9. That's cruel. They will be

shot like fish in a barrel and everyone knows it.

[Maedhros]

28. As you well know, the "stated goals" can often differ significantly from the actual goals [n/t]

[Maedhros]

32. Yes, the "fish in a barrel" motivation is hyperbole.

However, it would not be surprising if the consequences of the invasion are massive civilian casualties. The IDF is not renowned for its restraint with respect to Palestine.

[hrmjustin]

30. This is so heartbreaking.

[Agschmid]

6. Kick.

[MrBig]

8. Not Surprised

With the rockets continuously raining down, Israel really has two methods of stopping them - shooting missiles into Gaza at the places the rockets are being launched from or do a ground invasion and go after the launch sites in person.

[Behind the Aegis]

10. From what I read, they are going after the tunnels.

13 Hamas members were caught entering Israel early this morning (local time), during the ceasefire, I believe. (ETA: The tunnel incursion happened prior to the ceasefire. My mistake.) The decision was made to go after the tunnels. The air assault will continue to target the rockets and launching sites.

[Comrade Grumpy]

11. ...Or making a just peace with the Palestinians. There is that.

[hack89]

13. If Hamas was to demonstrate a commitment to peace

by not shooting rockets for a year, it would be easier to convince people that they want peace. You can't shoot your way to peace.

[MrBig]

14. So...like agreeing to a ceasefire? n/t

[Maedhros]

29. How about not occupying Palestinian land and forcibly expelling Palestinians from their homes?

That seems like a reasonable first step to peace.

[Bigmack]

37. YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

I TOTALLY agree with you on this. Ms Bigmack

[cpwm17]

16. You know, this current conflict didn't start with any stupid rockets

It started with Israel's collective punishment against Palestine for a couple of Palestinians murdering those Israeli kids. Israel took advantage of the murders to go on a rampage, including against the Gaza penitentiary.

Numerous Palestinians have been murdered by Israel and they plan on murdering many more. Israeli officials knew very quickly that the Israeli kids were likely murdered, but they lied to the Israeli public that they were kidnapped in order to get the public into a racist frenzy and to give Israel a reason to go on their rampage against Palestine: http://www.jpost.com/Operation-Brothers-Keeper/In-extended-version-of-kidnapped-teens-call-to-police-murderers-heard-singing-in-celebration-361270

Since before Israel was created, Israel has been brutalizing the Palestinians for almost seventy years. They have expelled them off of their homeland and they currently live under a brutal apartheid government. How much is enough? When will Israel ever leave them alone?

[Maedhros]

33. This is a pattern that has repeated itself throughout the history of the conflict.[n/t]

[oldandhappy]

12. I am SOOOO against this.

Will get emails off to Israeli organizations. Not that they care.

[MrBig]

15. I actually support this Israeli action

If they are able to go in and eliminate the launch sites and weapon caches, it will end things quicker than trying to hit pinpoint sites in densely populated areas with missiles.

[red dog 1]

17. You make a good point.

IMO, Netanyahu is as much of a murderer and war monger as Putin is; but if this "invasion' is able to put a stop to the missiles being launched against israel, then I too support it.

Hamas could have prevented this invasion by agreeing to the Egyptian cease fire proposal yesterday; but they chose not to.

[MrBig]

21. Agree with everything you said n/t

[Duppers]

35. here are a couple of petitions

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/israel_palestine_this_is_how_it_ends_loc/?bqvZqdb&v=42612

The Petition: "To the CEOs of ABP, HP, Veolia, Barclays, Caterpillar, and G4S:

"In the wake of the terrible war unfolding in Israel-Palestine, we, citizens from around the world, are deeply concerned about your companies’ continued investment in Israeli companies and projects that are complicit in the occupation and repression of the Palestinian people. 17 EU countries recently issued warnings to their citizens against doing business or investing in illegal Israeli settlements. Given those legal considerations, you now have the opportunity to withdraw investments and abide by international law. This is a chance to be on the right side of history."


Then, join Peace Not Revenge on FB. This was emailed out by J Street.

https://www.facebook.com/peacenotrevenge?refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpeacenotrevenge&_rdr

Thanks.

[oldandhappy]

42. Thank You, just signed it.

[red dog 1]

18. Kick

[warrant46]

19. It's an Old Tactic-- Kill them all Let God sort them out

Arnaud Amaury or Arnaud Amalric (died 1225) was a Cistercian abbot who took a prominent role in the Albigensian Crusade. He is most remembered for allegedly advising a soldier, who was worrying about killing orthodox Catholics along with the heretics during the sack of the Cathar stronghold of Béziers, Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius. ("Kill them. For the Lord knows those that are His own.&quot


Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius (Kill them all. For the Lord knoweth them that are His.).[3]

This is the origin of the modern phrase, "Kill them all and let God sort them out."

[warrant46]

43. They won't kill even 1000

Just enough to let every young man whose mother family etc is killed, to swear allegiance.

To a concept and organization whose mission is to kill any or all of those responsible for HIS LOSS.

[ballyhoo]

20. Things look darkest before the dawn.......

dddd

[Larkspur]

22. So operation "Mowing the Lawn" begins

Wish Israel all the bad luck in the world with this operation.

[MrBig]

24. I don't

If they are able to eliminate the launch sites and weapon caches, it will stop the need to send missiles into densely populated areas.

[Tetris_Iguana]

39. Considering Israeli failure means a much larger war

for the Palestinians sake, and everyone else, I hope you are wrong.

[hrmjustin]

23. Disgrace!

[theHandpuppet]

34. Nothing funny about this

No matter anyone's stance on this issue.

[cali]

36. +1. sick.

[Rhinodawg]

40. Good...Bibi practically begged Hamas to stop...

But that's over with.

Time to take action.

[Roy Serohz]

41. CNN Reporter Deletes Tweet Calling Israelis Cheering Missile Strikes ‘Scum’

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/cnn-reporter-deletes-tweet-calling-israelis-cheering-missile-strikes-scum/