Israel Fights Back
Hamas Terrorists Pummeled Back
Explosion In Iran Military Base
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of
the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
(Isaiah 54:17)
Hamas Surprised By Israeli Air Offensive
Hamas Compounds In Gaza Under Israeli Air Attack
Dec. 26, 2008
DEBKAfile Exclusive Analysis
Hamas surprised by Israeli air offensive
www.debka.com
Hamas compounds in Gaza under Israeli air attack. In an air offensive dubbed "Cast Lead," Saturday, Dec. 27, some 150 Israeli bombers and helicopters struck 100 targets, destroying dozens of Hamas military compounds across the Gaza Strip in reprisal for the Palestinian long-term missile blitz. The operation had two elements of surprise:
1. Media reports emanating from official sources in Jerusalem Friday, Dec. 25, conveyed the impression that the major military operation approved by the Israeli cabinet had been called off for the time being, at least until the cabinet reconvened for a reassessment.
2. Egypt misled Hamas, reporting reliable information that Israeli would not strike on Saturday, its Sabbath Day. Some Hamas commanders and operatives felt safe enough to come out of their hideouts in the tunnels and bunkers under Gaza – estimated at 80 km long - and hold a graduation ceremony on the parade ground at their command headquarters in Gaza City. The Israeli air strike there accounted for the largest number of casualties.
The other 40 air raids destroyed Hamas installations across the enclave. The casualty toll Saturday afternoon was 154 dead and 270 injured, some civilians. According to DEBKAfile's military sources, the bulk of Hamas strength escaped harm. They played it safe and stayed underground, also guarding their long-range missile and rocket arsenal. After the first wave of air attacks, the Israeli military spokesman said the operation was just beginning and would be expanded and deepened as needed. Defense minister Ehud Barak warned Israelis that hard times were ahead. They expected Hamas reprisals to come quickly. Before burying their dead, they sent missiles flying to Ashkelon, then Netivot, where an Israeli man was killed and seven people were injured. Kiryat Gat was hit by a missile and Ashdod's citizens heard sirens. Both are on the outer perimeter of Hamas long-range missiles and have been unscathed until now.
Israel is holding ready the option of a major ground incursion if Palestinian missile attacks remain at a high level. A big question hangs over whether Iran will send Hizballah to open a second front from Lebanon in response to the Israeli air operation in Gaza. According to DEBKAfile's intelligence sources, the Hizballah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, paid a secret visit to Tehran in the third week of November to clarify this very question. A short while later, the al Qods commander, Gen. Qassem Suleimani, arrived in Beirut. Most probably, they tied up the ends of a possible Hizballah response to the expected Israeli Gaza operation during that visit. Hence the Israeli military spokesman's warning that the Gaza air operation was just the beginning and could be expanded as needed.'
US Veto Blocks UN Anti-Israel Resolution
Dec. 28, 2008
PressTV.com
US veto blocks UN anti-Israel resolution
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=79727§ionid=351020202
The UN Security Council has been unable to force an end to Israeli attacks against Gaza due to the intervention of the United States. Washington once again used its veto powers on Sunday to block a resolution calling for an end to the massive ongoing Israeli attacks against the Gaza Strip. The council has only been able to issue a 'non-binding' statement that calls on Israel to voluntarily bring all its military activities in the besieged region to an immediate end. The statement comes as Israel has begun a fresh wave of air strikes on Gaza on Sunday, killing at least six people. At least 230 people were killed and 800 wounded in similar attacks on Saturday. The number of Palestinians deaths has so far risen to 271. The council called on the parties to address the humanitarian crisis in the territory but has not criticized the Israeli air attacks.
Croatian UN Ambassador Neven Jurica read out the non-binding statement on behalf of the 15-member body that "called for an immediate halt to all violence" and on the parties "to stop immediately all military activities." "The members of the Security Council expressed serious concern at the escalation of the situation in Gaza," he said, as the president of the council. The council also requested the opening of border crossings into Gaza to address the serious humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza and to ensure medical treatment and a continuous supply of food and fuel.
US representative to the UNSC, Zalmay Khalilzad, defended the Israeli move, saying Tel Aviv has the right to self-defense. "I regret the loss of any of all innocent life," he said, adding that Hamas rockets precipitated this situation. Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip say they fire rockets into Israel in retaliation for the daily Israeli attacks against them. Unlike the state-of-the-art Israeli weapons and ammunition, the home-made Qassam rockets rarely cause casualties. The US, a staunch ally to Israel, has so far vetoed over 40 anti-Israeli resolutions sought by the council since 1972. Since 2004, Washington has prevented the adoption of four other resolutions that called for Tel Aviv to halt its operations in the Gaza Strip.
Military Compound Blast Rocks Iranian City
Dec. 28, 2008
PressTV.com
Military compound blast rocks Iranian city
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=79785§ionid=351020101
A sudden explosion in a military compound warehouse has reportedly rocked Zarin city in the central Iranian province of Isfahan. Head of the military establishment, Majid Nasser, said that so far nine factory workers had been confirmed dead in the late Saturday explosion in Zarin city. The report added that the bodies of the dead have yet to be recovered. Saturday's explosion in the military compound's warehouse caused a blackout in the city and sent the city into a state of panic. Officials are reportedly investigating the cause of the explosion.
Supreme Leader Strongly Condemns Gaza "Massacre," Declares Monday Day Of Mourning
Dec 28, 2008
JTehran, IRNA
Supreme Leader strongly condemns Gaza massacre, declares Monday day of mourning
http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-24/0812281288164413.htm
....All true believers in the world of Islam and Palestinian fighters are duty-bound to defend the defenseless women and children in Gaza Strip and those giving their lives in carrying out such a divine duty are 'martyrs', said the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Khamenei also called on the OIC to fulfill its historical responsibility at this sensitive juncture and take a unified stand against the Zionist regime.
The Zionist regime should be punished and brought to justice by the Islamic states, underlined Ayatollah Khamenei. Steadfastness of Islamic nations can materialize this goal and the role of Muslim politicians, Ulema and intellectuals is much greater than ever before, said the Supreme Leader. Ayatollah Khamenei said, "I declare Monday, December 29 as a day of mourning to highlight the catastrophe in Gaza and urge officials to carry out heir grave duties in dealing with such a tragic incident."
Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. (Joel 3:9-11)
