Israeli forces pounded rocket-launching sites and smuggling tunnels in Gaza Saturday and planes dropped leaflets warning of an escalation in attacks, as Palestinian militants fired at least 10 more rockets at Israel.
Egypt hosted talks aimed at ending the violence.
Flames and smoke rose over Gaza City amid the heavy fighting. The Israeli threat to launch a “new phase” in its two-week-old offensive that has already killed more than 800 Palestinians came in defiance of international calls for a cease-fire.
“The IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) will escalate the operation in the Gaza Strip,” the leaflets said in Arabic. “The IDF is not working against the people of Gaza but against Hamas and the terrorists only. Stay safe by following our orders.”
First Israel texts Palestinian civilians to warn them to get away from military targets.
Now hey drop leaflets to warn them to be safe by following their directions (see above).
What other nation in history has done this? Forfeited the advantage of surprise in order to warn civilians that an attack is coming and please get out of the way as much as possible and here is how?
The contrast between Israel and Hamas continues to grow.
The hard part for Gazan civilians isn’t to not get close to Hamas’ goons and weapons, Rick, the hard part is trying to keep Hamas’ goons and weapons away from you, the Gazan civilian.
If the Lebanese could rise up and kick Syria out of Lebanon, saying “enough is enough”, why can’t the Gazans rise up and kick Hamas out of Gaza? Surely not every citizen of Gaza is in favor of Hamas and their eradication policies?