Israel OKs Gaza ground assault expansion

[Ah Well]

(Excerpt from Press TV Website)

"The Israeli security cabinet has approved expanding a ground offensive against the Gaza Strip to push deeper into populated areas.

"They approved continuing the ground offensive, including a third stage that would broaden it by pushing deeper into populated areas," a senior defense official told AFP Wednesday.

The Israeli raids on Gaza, launched on December 27, have left at least 710 Palestinians dead, while some 3,100 others are injured.

The official added that Defense Minister Ehud Barak makes the final decision based on the cabinet's voting.

The decision would allow the Israeli army to continue its ground offensive against the densely-populated sliver with the support of aerial and naval fire support.

The report comes shortly after Israel said it is considering a Franco-Egyptian proposal for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip."

Link to full story here:

Press TV - Israel OKs Gaza ground assault expansion

Very obvious what's going on here on the Israel side .... keep "considering" or letting on to consider the ceasefire proposal while at the same continuing on their merry way for now with the inevitable continuing of increase of the deathtoll of innocent victims

[Keith-M]

Why should anyone in a democratic country like Ireland take any notice what a website from a highly controlled dictatorship like Iran? By supplying the rockets that Hamas used to attack Israel, Iran is responsible for what has happened since.

[Ah Well]

Why should anyone in a democratic country like Ireland take any notice what a website from a highly controlled dictatorship like Iran? By supplying the rockets that Hamas used to attack Israel, Iran is responsible for what has happened since.

Well go look at this so ... which is an Israeli link and confirms the ground offensive is continuing over and over ceasefire proposals ... and it doesn't take a genius to realise that this means expanding the ground offensive ... Israel is hardly going to stop where it is now or retreat backwards either

Cabinet: Gaza op to continue - Israel News, Ynetnews

[CitiZenJonredux]

imo the Israelis will continue this military pogram until January 21st, 2009.

[Keith-M]

Well go look at this so ... which is an Israeli link and confirms the ground offensive is continuing over and over ceasefire proposals ... and it doesn't take a genius to realise that this means expanding the ground offensive ... Israel is hardly going to stop where it is now or retreat backwards either

Cabinet: Gaza op to continue - Israel News, Ynetnews

There is no ceasefire, neither side has agreed to the proposals currently on the table. Until then, the war must continue. Israel is clearly neutralising the terrorist threat and shouldn't stop until it is either wiped out or contained as it was in Lebanon back in 2006.

[Ah Well]

imo the Israelis will continue this military pogram until January 21st, 2009.

Obama takes office on 20th so yes you may be right there... it is quite likely that they'll push on regardless for now and establish the strongest possible foothold in Gaza to suit their interests for the next 10 days or so and continue on with the notion of being somewhat interested in ceasefire proposals in the meantime and string it out as long as possible. Behind this thinking is the prior attitude of the leadership that the military campaign will go on until the full objectives of the 'Operation Cast Lead' are achieved - they will continue on this route for now. But will if needs be take stock shortly before or on the date of change of US Paymaster - the 20th January next.

I could be totally wrong and hope I am ... and this damn craziness stops way before then and not a moment too soon

Oh, just seeing they're apparently starting to shell the border area of Rafah... hmmm this smacks of widening the offensive and hastily intensifying operations ... i wonder why ....

[Ah Well]

There is no ceasefire, neither side has agreed to the proposals currently on the table. Until then, the war must continue. Israel is clearly neutralising the terrorist threat and shouldn't stop until it is either wiped out or contained as it was in Lebanon back in 2006.

Agreed there is no ceasefire in place, I however find it cynical that Israel displays an "interest" in ceasefire proposals only to commence intensifying the operations in Gaza which is now apparently occurring.

I also seem to recall that their Lebanon escapade wasn't exactly a rip roaring success and that a considerable part of the Israeli public wasn't over enamored with the results either. It would also appear that Hezbollah are still quite around and active so their being "contained" is very debatable. Southern Lebanon also (excluding Beirut) is not as densely populated as Gaza as a bordering region so to wipe out the threat/contain it in Gaza will effectively mean levelling/obliterating a sizeable portion of it with horrendous "collateral damage" in US speak and they're well on the way to achieving that as we all well know and showing no signs of stopping either.

[CitiZenJonredux]

I could be totally wrong and hope I am ... and this damn craziness stops way before then and not a moment too soon

Agree.

slightly off topic, but Obamarama looked a little uncomfortable today in a photo-op with former US presidents, Bush, Clinton and Carter. He got caught in a Bush sandwich

YouTube - Raw Video: Obama Meets Presidents

This whole sorry mess has tainted his ascendancy to neo-godhood.

[FamilyGuy]

Israel is clearly neutralising the terrorist threat

Israel IS the terrorist threat Keith

[Objecteev]

Agreed there is no ceasefire in place, I however find it cynical that Israel displays an "interest" in ceasefire proposals only to commence intensifying the operations in Gaza which is now apparently occurring.

You mean you want Israel to decline ceasefire and not consider it now? Just so you can claim its cruel and inconciderate? Yet even when it does you criticize it? Can we assume you are going to say Israel is wrong in whatever it is doing? and that you will never post against the Hammas who is always doing the right thing, whether it is firing rockets into Israel, killing and terrorizing Israelis, declining a ceasefire even though it could save civilians on the Palestinian side etc? Are you that much of a far on Hammas and that much of a hater or Israel? So much that you care nothing about Palestinians? And you still dare to criticize others?

I suggest you start being more vigilant against the Hammas. This might prove to save more Palestinians in the longer run. And maybe next time you will be more vigilant against the Hammas and other such terrorist organizations BEFORE all hell breaks loose? You will save more innocent people that way also. Remember that next time you sit on your ass and do nothing when Hizballah starts acting up on the northern border and few months later you again will be posting on P.ie as if you are surprised and Israel is barbaric and reacts unprovoked...