Israeli Airstrike Kills Top Hamas Militant in Gaza(Third Senior Member Killed)

[tekisui]

Source: M & C

Tel Aviv/Gaza - Israel killed a top Hamas militant in the Gaza Strip early Saturday morning as aircraft continued to pound the salient on the eighth day of attacks against the Islamist movement.

Zakaria al-Jamal, the third senior Hamas leader to be killed in the Israeli assault, was hit when planes attacked the vehicle in which he was driving.

The Israeli military said in a statement that Jamal was a battalion commander in the Hamas military wing, and the head of the movement's rocket-launching squads in Gaza City.

The Israeli military said that the air force had carried out over 25 attacks overnight and Saturday morning.

Targets hit included a college, which the military statement said had been used as a rocket-launching base, and the homes of two Hamas militants. One home had been used as a weapons depot and the other as a meeting place to plan attacks, the statement said.

Four Palestinians - three militants and a civilian - were killed in the attacks.

Reports from the Gaza Strip also said Israeli aircraft attacked two bridges in the centre of the salient, making movement between the south of the enclave and Gaza City, in the north, harder.

more: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1451341.php/Israeli_airstrike_kills_top_Hamas_militant_in_Gaza__1st_Lead__

[shira]

1. wow.

Even if only this guy was targeted and killed, it's murder, a war crime, despicable, state-sponsored terrorism, etc. As bad as killing any innocent so add him to the 400+ killed.

:sarcasm:

[tekisui]

2. It is assassination and it is escalation.

And, it is one more that Israel has killed. Another martyr from the Gazan's perspective and another reason to become more radical.

No need to use hyperbolic sarcasm. It is one more act in the cycle of violence. One more step away from peace.

[GoesTo11]

3. It's part of weakening Hamas' hold

Get rid of their rockets, their smuggling, their coordination, their leadership. The more Israel succeeds in this preparation, the more smoothly their ground operation can go (and the less harm it will cause to civilians).

Besides, how much more radical can Hamas be?

[tekisui]

7. I understand the military strategy.

As for Hamas being more radical, not much. But, the citizens of Gaza can grow more radical and more supportive of Hamas and Hamas like leaders.

[Sezu]

4. But prior such action against Hamas bigshots caused Hamas

to beg for a truce so who can blame Israel for going with what has worked? Hopefully this time they will not settle for a truce but only for that ultimate goal in every war...a surrender.

[Fozzledick]

5. But, but.. isn't it "genocide" to shoot back at terrorists who are trying to kill you?

Lotsa people around here keep screaming that it is! :shrug:

[tekisui]

8. I have never used that word,

and it shouldn't be tossed around lightly.

[Fozzledick]

10. Well, you've been hanging out with a bad crowd who do toss that word around casually

[tekisui]

11. I think we've been hanging out with the same crowd for some time.

I am on the side of peace. Not Israel nor Hamas nor Hezbollah. Criticism of Israel does not mean support for Hamas. I am Pro-Peace, war doesn't work. Their is no military path to peace. Each day we move farther from peace, and that is tragic, IMO.

[hack89]

6. Military commanders aren't fair game during war?

I don't think so.

[tekisui]

9. They are.

I was responding to the hyperbolic sarcasm of the previous poster.

Like this is all a big joke. That kind of talk does little good.

[hack89]

12. Oops - sorry. Need to wait until after the first cup of coffee to post. nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. Its decapitaiton, and its particularly effective after the air strilkes

The only mode of Command and Control available to Hamas right now is personal recognition. There are barely any comms and Hamas is very worried about internal security (that SPIES!!! thing again). That means the leaders have to move around and be seen. That also makes them much easier target than if they were hunkered down in a mosque or hospital. When the upper level leaders are gone, the less effective Hamas will be.

Do not forget that Hamas has already threatened personal retribution against Fatah, PA, and Israeli leaders.