Israel Ups the Ante

Love them or hate them, you have to acknowledge that Israelis are not a nation to be trifled with. They've got a long reputation of not taking 'crap' from their enemies, and dealing out vengeance with ruthless efficiency. While the overall success of this strategy is up for debate; it definitely shows more courage and steadfastness than most other nations; and likely has done them more good in the area of deterrence than a strictly reactionary and diplomatic policy.

The latest threat from Israel toward Hamas is eye-opening in both scope and honesty. Coming from Israel, it's not a threat but a promise.

Israel last night threatened to assassinate Palestinian Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh if Hamas militants did not release a captured Israeli soldier unharmed.

The unprecedented warning was delivered to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a letter as Israel debated a deal offered by Hamas to free Corporal Gilad Shalit.

Hamas' demands for Israel to cease hostilities in Gaza in response to the recent rash of kidnappings are simply stupid. Israel was not the aggressor here, and its typical of groups like Hamas to spin the situation until it sounds that way.

You simply don't incite an incident like this and then demand Israel of all nations cave in to your demands in order to stop it. Hamas should know better. The organization's promises are worthless; as empty as their souls. How sad when a group can only be trusted to tell the truth when it comes to their threats. How could anyone expect they'd honor their word?

A Hamas spokesman said the group would never recognise Israel, in spite of a deal its leaders signed this week offering implicit recognition of the Jewish state in return for easing an economic blockade.

Jewish settler Eliyahu Asheri, who was murdered by militants this week, was buried on Thursday as leaders of the Popular Resistance Committees pledged to seize more hostages in the West Bank.

Are these the type of people who will live up to any agreement? Not likely. Hamas is not just another organization of terror; they're a dispicable lot of Islamic apologist enablers who commit atrocities in the name of their cause and then claim that they are the victims. Some of these claims are outright laughable.

Residents complain that sonic booms caused by Israeli jets traumatise children and that shelling confines families to their homes.

Sonic booms are the last thing Palestinians should be worried about.

You reap what you sow.

Israel warns: free soldier or PM dies | News | The Australian

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