Israeli Leader Warns Hamas of 'Iron Fist'

[tekisui]

Source: AP

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stood within Hamas rocket range Monday and warned Islamic militants that they face an "iron fist" unless they agree to Israeli terms for an end to war in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas showed no signs of wavering, however, with its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, saying the militants were "closer to victory."

Despite the tough words, Egypt said it was making slow progress in brokering a truce, and special Mideast envoy Tony Blair said elements were in place for a cease-fire.

As Olmert spoke in the Israeli city of Ashkelon, Israeli tanks, gunboats and warplanes hammered suspected hiding places of Hamas operatives who control the poor, densely populated territory just across the border.

After nightfall, flares and explosions lit up the sky over Gaza and heavy gunfire was heard in parts of the coastal territory of 1.4 million people.

Hamas' fighters battled Israeli troops on the outskirts of Gaza City and launched 15 rockets at southern Israel. The group's prime minister insisted on an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the opening of blockaded border crossings as part of any truce.

"As we are in the middle of this crisis, we tell our people we, God willing, are closer to victory. All the blood that is being shed will not go to waste," Haniyeh said on Hamas' Al Aqsa television. But he said the group was also pursuing a diplomatic track to end the conflict that "will not close."

more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioi_0jtO9RjMwPNRoXNCndRPRq3gD95LSBPG0

[madrchsod]

1. escalating from lead to iron...what`s next ? depleted uranium?

[scarletwoman]

2. I hope Israel enjoys having its very own George W. Bush.

[Vegasaurus]

3. If Hamas wants to be crushed, they should just keep on keeping on nt

[ohio2007]

4. Iron fist has no effect on an iron head

HardTalk interview in which Osama Hamdan, Senior Hamas in Lebanon
BBC video part 1
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=8f4_1231807292

No to foriegn troop observers
No to Palestinian troop observers
No to Israel borders
No to Egyptian peace deal
No to French peace deal
No to suspending rocket attacks
No to rational dialog


?

This guy is in Lebanon

[LynnTheDem]

5. "Iron Fist"...an ironically unfortunate choice of words from Israel.