ON Ground Updates, Israel/Palestinian Conflict, December 27, 2008

ON Ground Updates:
Operation 'Cast Lead' Begins
Israel/Palestinian Conflict
Saturday, December 27, 2008

.

File photo by IDF Spokesperson..
In retaliation for the ongoing rocket attacks against the Jewish state, Israeli Air Strikes using at least 80 IAF aircraft, including both jets and helicopters and dropping at least 100 bombs, hit at least fifty Palestinian targets in Gaza today and in just over three minutes... over 205 Palestinians were dead..

Here’s how the MSM is reporting this news today:

* IsraelNationalNews.com gets us started off with this report...

The IDF began its long-awaited attack on Hamas-controlled Gaza at 11:30 AM Saturday, and according to initial reports managed to catch Hamas off-guard, after deliberately sending soldiers home on furloughs Thursday to create the impression that a military strike was not imminent... The operation is codenamed "Cast Lead" – a phrase taken from a well known Chanukah song which refers to "cast-lead draydels."...

Read the full report at link below...

Operation 'Cast Lead' Begins; One Israeli and 205 Arabs are Dead

* YNETNews.com has this Opinion Column written by Ron Ben-Yishai posted on their website today and it goes in part like this...

...Despite estimates on the Palestinian side that an Israeli operation was forthcoming, the IDF nonetheless managed to secure a tactical surprise in respect to the operation’s timing. Now it is clear what Chief of Staff Ashkenazi and Defense Minister Barak were talking about when they spoke about waiting for an “operational opportunity.” We should also make note of the diversions and acts of deception undertaken in recent days, such as the transfer of goods through the Gaza crossings Friday... Despite reports about the possibility that senior Hamas figures were hurt in the initial strike, Israel’s objective, for the time being, is not to topple the Hamas regime. Such move would require a lengthy stay of large forces in the Gaza Strip, and it is unclear whether this can be maintained over time. The move that started Saturday will comprise a series of operations, until Hamas announces its willingness to accept a long-term ceasefire on conditions acceptable to Israel...

Read the full article at link below...

Shock treatment in Gaza

* PressTV.ir has this take on the news today and it starts off like this... Israel says the Gaza operation will go on for "as long as necessary", rejecting international calls for an end to the Israeli strikes...

Read this story in full at link below...

Israel says Gaza incursion to go on

* The Canadian Press has the following report and it starts off like this...

(Posted around 12:01pm CST)

The Arab world reacted in shock to Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip on Saturday with protests around the region and calls for retaliation against Israel... In Egypt, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit extended his condolences to the Palestinians killed in the attacks and said Egypt, which brokered a six-month long truce between Hamas and Israel that expired a little over a week ago, has been trying to avoid such an escalation... "Today everybody has to stand by the side of the Palestinian people and stop this blind military action," the foreign minister said, calling on Israel to immediately halt its attacks...

Read the rest at link below...

Arab world condemns Israeli attack on Gaza amid calls for retaliation

* AFP.Google.com brings us this report late this Saturday morning...

(Posted around 11:45am CST)

UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called for an immediate halt to violence in Gaza following Israeli air strikes that killed more than 200 Palestinians in retaliation for ongoing rocket attacks against the Jewish state... Ban "is deeply alarmed by today's heavy violence and bloodshed in Gaza, and the continuation of violence in southern Israel," a spokesman for the UN secretary general said in a statement... The UN leader "appeals for an immediate halt to all violence... "While recognizing Israel's security concerns regarding the continued firing of rockets from Gaza," read the statement, Ban "firmly reiterates Israel's obligation to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law and condemns excessive use of force leading to the killing and injuring of civilians."...

Read the rest at link below...

UN's Ban calls for halt to Gaza violence

.

. ... *******************************
...
Hamas Press Conference after Israeli Gaza StrikesSaturday, December 27, 2008

About AlJazeeraEnglish News Video: Taher al-Noono, a Hamas spokesman, speaks to reporters in Gaza following Israeli airstrikes which killed more than 155 people and wounded more than 200 others.
Video just over 8 ½ minutes long - Posted on YouTube by AlJazeeraEnglish

.
****************************** .
Israeli air strikes recorded on camera
(Warning: I rate this video MATURE - Some graphic footage within).-
 This Video removed by me in respect to Google’s Ad Policies

This Raw News Feed posted on LiveLeak by m4ssive
.******************************.
Israeli air strikes in Gaza Strip kill 155
(Warning: I rate this video MATURE - Some graphic footage within).-
 This Video removed by me in respect to Google’s Ad Policies

This Raw News Feed also posted on LiveLeak by m4ssive

.******************************.

* Reuters.com has this report posted on their website this evening...

(Posted around 7:20pm CST)

Israeli warplanes pounded the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing at least 229 people in one of the bloodiest days for the Palestinians in 60 years of conflict with the Jewish state... Hamas vowed revenge including suicide bomb attacks in the "cafes and streets" of Israel, as Israeli air strikes continued late into the night. Israel said the offensive would continue as long as necessary and that it may also involve land forces...

Read the rest at link below...

Israel kills scores in Gaza air strikes

Click out these photos from REUTERS HERE

.******************************...

Israel set for prolonged Gaza op...
At least 225 now dead
(Warning: I rate this video MATURE - Some graphic footage within)

..- This Video removed by me in respect to Google’s Ad Policies

Read the story behind this News video at BBC.co.uk

This News Video posted on LiveLeak by komakazzi

.

******************************

My take... 
Light 'em up, Israel!!!

Livni said it best just the other day... “Enough is enough!”

More news to come as Operation 'Cast Lead' continues...

AubreyJ.........