What's Going On Here?

The general perception that we all have, because it is what we are constantly being told, is that the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier triggered a series of incidents that has led us to where we are today.  The initial kidnapping occured on the Gaza Strip, of course, on June 25th, and if you were to be asked if the forgoing perception was true and you said "yes...that is my final answer,"  well.....bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......wrong!

At the end of this post is a rundown of the operations by Israel against the citizens of Gaza during the month of June alone, and prior to the kidnapping, as reported in the press.  As one reads this list, it is obvious that Israel was pressing for an incident that would justify the escalation that has occurred both within Gaza and within Lebanon as well..  It has previously been reported that the current battle plan was actually prepared years ago for the Sharon Government.

The question remains, why would Israel start a war at this time when it claims to have no territorial ambitions against Lebanon and the residents of the Gaza Strip have been very effectively isolated by the erection of the wall that extends around their entire land based border?  As a prelude to a possible answer - and I don't pretend to be an international genius - I would suggest that the most important events for Israel in the year 2006 are the fall elections in the United States.  One of Israel's objectives could be to influence the outcome of these domestic elections.  It is perhaps not entirely coincidental that many comments have been made on Gather expressing concern that an international incident might be engineered to improve the chances of the Republican candidates.  Well, just maybe this is it.

Along the same line, I believe Israel is attempting to energize the neo-conserative movement in the U.S., the movement that is currently attempting to influence Bush to attack Iran and Syria now.  Israel is quite happy that we are mired in Iraq and they would love to see our involvement expand into other countries.  It seems to fit with this theory that, just the other day, we heard Newt Gingrich, a leading neo-con, eagerly announce that "World War III has begun."

And naturally, if Israel can weaken Hamas and Hezzbolah, then that would be a great additional achievment.  Personally, however, I think Israel has about the same chance of achieving that as we do of eliminating terrorism in Iraq.

If nothing else, this developing military action highlights the importance of the fall elections.  If any group is to be energized, it should be the democrats, who are this country's only hope for stopping the insanity.

Published items concerning Israel's acts against Gaza in June.

Professor John Dugard, reported as follows to the UN Commission on Human Rights after his visit to the Gaza Strip from 6/9/06 to 6/17/06:

"Gaza is under seige.  Israel controls its air space and has resumed sonic booms which terrorize and traumatize the people.  The targeted killing of militants is on the increase.  Inevitably, as in the past, such killings have resulted in the killing and wounding of innocent bystanders.  Israel also controls Gaza's territorial sea and fires missiles into the territory from ships at sea.  Within Gaza, medical services have been seriously affected by the prohibition on the funding of medical equipment and medical supplies managed by the Hamas-led Palestine Authority.  The non-payment of salaries to Palestinian Authority employees has affected both hospitals and schools, as employees cannot afford to travel to work.  Unemployment and poverty are on the increase.  After a long period of closure of the Karni commercial crossing, this crossing has been reopened, but it still processes only a limited number of trucks with the result that Gaza is still short of basic foodstuffs and is unable to export its produce."

Other related published items:

Beginning June 1, Israel's mock air raids over Gaza were carried out to terrorize the population.

June 1 - Israel's gunboats shot at Gaza's coast wounding two children playing on the beach.

June 3 - Israel's border positions fired artillery shells at Jabalya town, injuring two children inside their homes and at Um Nasser Village, injuring a 48-year old man.

June 5 - An Israeli missile attack on a car carrying militants killed two civilians.

June 7 - Israel fired artillery shells at three Palestines attempting to enter Israel through the fence killing two and injuring the third.  Shrapnel killed a member of the Palestine police force and wounded another, together with two children, 5 and 7, and a 50-year old man.

June 9 - Israel shelled a group of people on Gaza's beach killing eight civilians, including seven members of the same family, and injuring an additional 32 civilians, including 13 children.

June 9 - Israel shells wounded three children east of Jabalya, who were following a funeral procession.

June 20 - An Israel missile attack on militants missed its target and killed three children and wounded 13 civilians, including seven children (ages 2, 5, 8, 9, 11, 11, and 16).

June 21 - Another Israeli missile missed its target and hit a family home, killing a brother and his pregnant sister.  The missile injured 11 others including seven children.  Four civilians, including a 10-year old child were injured outside the home.

June 25 - An Israeli soldier, a gunner in a tank, was kidnapped by Palestinians at a military checkpoint inside the green line.

June 27 - Israel launched a full scale military action against Gaza.