Hamas keeps the border edgy with a slow trickle of rockets that just doesn't stop. It's been going on for so long that it's no longer news in Israel and of course in the world. But this sad reality should be exposed.
Since the beginning of the year, Palestinian militants in Hamas-controlled Gaza have fired more than 40 rockets at southern Israel. Although the rockets are not launched by official Hamas personnel - nothing in Gaza happens without Hamas' nod of approval.
By Ibraheem Abu Mustafa / Reuters
Most of the rockets are of short range type, but as Hamas seeks escalation, longer range rockets are used to target the large cities in the south Beer Sheva and Ashkelon.
As the rockets hit Southern Israel, the IDF retaliates and targets Hamas bases in Gaza - again notice the major difference - Hamas intentionally targets civilians while Israel fights back against terrorist militants.
There is an unseen balance which can be broken with a direct hit of a random rocket - it's a risky affair all together. If Hamas keeps this up, it's only a matter of time until Israel will have to take severe action again.
But the situation is different than 2008 when operation Cast Lead took place. Arab Spring revolutions brought political Islam to power in Egypt and Libya, and is about to bring Assad regime down in Syria. Iran is isolated through severe economical sanctions while it keeps on marching towards nuclear weapons.
If Israel will indeed take action it will need to secure the Egyptian border. Since Mubarak's regime was toppled, the southern border with Egpyt has been significantly fortified.
"This is a 'hot' border now and terror is on this border like any other border we have in Israel," said Israeli Army Lieutenant Colonel Yoav Tilan.
6 months ago gunmen crossed from Egypt and attacked Israeli vehicles, killing 8 and injuring 30 people. Israel has now reopened the road along the border but it doesn't look the same. A 7 meter wall runs across the border protecting the Israeli side.
The rockets are currently falling on Sderot but the tiny state of Israel is vulnerable. The fall of Gadaffi created a smuggler route of high grade weapons into Gaza. Hamas now has long range rockets which can hit Tel Aviv.
As anti Israel protesters are chanting anti semitic rants as part of Israel Apartheid Week. maybe they shoud take a moment to think about the real terrorists they are supporting.
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