Operation Cast Lead
On December 27th 2008 Israel launched a military campaign in the Gaza Strip. Codenamed Operation Cast Lead, the campaign's aim was to put a stop to Hamas rocket attacks on southern Israel and aimed to wipe out Hamas' members and infrastructure.
When asked their opinion of the onslaught in Gaza the general view, "We (the Israelis) cannot go on living in fear of our Arab neighbours. They want to destroy us but they should know that we are...
more »Operation Cast Lead
On December 27th 2008 Israel launched a military campaign in the Gaza Strip. Codenamed Operation Cast Lead, the campaign's aim was to put a stop to Hamas rocket attacks on southern Israel and aimed to wipe out Hamas' members and infrastructure.
When asked their opinion of the onslaught in Gaza the general view, "We (the Israelis) cannot go on living in fear of our Arab neighbours. They want to destroy us but they should know that we are stronger and that god wills us to be here". As one self proclaimed Zionist put it, "The Palestinians need to be taught a lesson and if innocent people have to die, it is their god's decision and punishment".
When foreign Journalists were allowed into Gaza following a fractious ceasefire, the true extent of the conflict's damage was realised. Nearly 1,300 Palestinians were killed and over 4000 were injured. Most were civilians. In contrast, 13 Israelis were killed, 3 of them civilians.
When asked about Hamas, many say that as Palestinians Hamas are their brothers and they are united in fighting for a free world. However, Hamas have also been heavily blamed by those who have lost everything. "They promised us the world, they promised us a future, but this is the worst it has been here", says one anonymous Palestinian. Many have changed their allegiance to the seemingly less militant Fattah but few believe either will bring them a better future.
Israel and Gaza remain at loggerheads with daily rocket attacks from either side steadily increasing.
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