This is a blunder by Israel.

Yes. It was a mistake for which the IDF has already apologized. They have also halted the attacks and are investigating the details, like most civilized societies do when they think they may have done something wrong:

Perhaps, we could hold off judgement at least long enough to find out if things are really as they seem to be. What do you say?

Joseph Botwinick:wavey:

 

Of course, no apology or corrective action will deter the other side from using it as an excuse to retaliate.

 

Pure Hypocrites?

To be honest, I have not followed this story that carefully. However I do wonder why Israel was not a bit more cautious.

Either way Hamas, and the Palestinians, have no room to complain since they regularly target and kill innocent civilians. Since they are complaining they are nothing more than hypocrites.

The whole situation is tragic.

 

Exactly.
Reminds me of a bad driver who habitually cuts across other motorists, and then blows his horn when another motorist cuts him.

 

This is a very sad story; I'm just glad that none of the victims' families are calling for retaliation; there was also an Israeli guy I saw interviewed whose house was hit by a Qassam rocket who showed similar restraint.

 

Here is an interesting development

Investigation shows that Gaza Attack could have been caused by Hamas.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Israel usually uses more caution than is necessary. In fact, Israel has been more longsuffering than any other country would be in the same circumstances.

 

I think your statement about Israel being more cautious is interesting. Have you ever been to Israel? Israel is much smaller than most states in the United States. Israel not only lives in extremely close proximity to enemies on all sides, they have enemies living on their soil.

Israel's very own survival is dependant on instantaneous reaction. This may make Israel seem trigger happy at times; when in reality it is simply a sad fact of the way of life to keep the peace and prevent terrorism.

When you drive from Jerusalem to any of the northern cities on the main highway you will see memorials all along the highway. Each memorial is the site of a terrorist attack and loss of life from enemies who had literal access to the highway. Israel is a modern country; this would be no different than driving down I-40 with a good chance of being blown up by somebody who just wants to disrupt your life.

Israel regained this land in earlier wars and although they control it--they themselves recognize it as "occupied" land. This pushed the buffer zone to the current Jordan river which eliminated many attacks on the highway.

The same thing occurred with the Golan Heights located East of the Lake of Galilee. The kids in the lake-shore cities literally grew up in bomb shelters when Syrians would simply lob mortars from the Heights to the Israeli cities. Israel put a stop to this by occupying the high-ground and pushing back the enemy far enough to prevent simple mortar fire from reaching the city.

All in all, I think Israel does a fine job of restraint and the fact that they did not retaliate against Iraq when Saddam was attacking them with SCUD missiles is enough to see that Israel is being careful and listened to the United States when we asked them not to attack--risking break-up of the coalition.

Considering their situation and size, I think Israel does a great job of protecting their citizens without overreaction. Just my humble 2 cents.