Israel at War!

[NewsGuy]

Opening up this thread to discuss the events as they unfold.

Latest report (Probably outdated by the time you read this):

- Israel mobilizes part of its reserve soldiers. Massive machine gun and tank fire heard in Ramallah and across the Palestinian-controlled territories.

- Israel calls it a "targeted" action, although declines to specify the exact target.

- Government spokesman says Israel spoke softly for too long, now it is time to carry (and use) a big stick.

- Bulldozers tearing down the fence at Arafat's Ramallah compund, with 150 tanks surrounding and entering the city.

- Funerals for the 4 latest terrorism victims in Israel will be held this morning.

Feel free to add more developments.

>> Click here for our LIVE 24-hour newsfeed covering this developing story. (http://www.israelforum.com/news/)

[alexbmn]

mother f@$@ers!!!!!!! and i dont mean the Palestinians. What do we have here? Another "retaliation" another worthless counter attack ,more pointless tit for tat violence. Why cant they just they declare war ? Why not?!!!!!!!!! I hate them so much. Is that whole goddamn country suicidal? They should just kill themselves and save Palestinians the trouble. I 've been going nuts the whole day, I just cant stand this

[NewsGuy]

- PM Sharon and top Israeli ministers declare that "We are at war" against terrorism and no one is immune.

- These announcements were made at a press conference attended by PM Sharon and top Israeli ministers with the notable exception of Shimon Peres.

- Ariel Sharon and other top Israeli ministers decalre that Arafat is an "enemy" and will be isolated. IMO, this means that by morning US-time, Arafat will be in full Israeli custody or maybe even dead.

- During an 8-hour overnight meeting, Sharon spoke with Colin Powell and was very "clear" about Israel's intentions, according to the Prime Minister.

More to come...

[alexbmn]

really? No one is immune ? they actually said that? Dont toy with my emotions man

[NewsGuy]

- IDF forces now inside Arafat headquarters looking for terrorists in Israel's wanted list, and searching for "intelligence material."

- The Palestinians report that the IDF is specifically looking for the murderers of minister Rehanvam Zeevi.

- IDF begins draft of 20,000 soldiers.

- Palestinian terrorists stab 2 Israelis to death in the town of Nezarim and are hiding inside one of the residences. Israeli DM says the terrorist is a Palestinian worker employed in the town. Manhunt underway.

- The operation is expected to last a few weeks, according to Israeli sources. During that time, large areas of the Palestinian-controlled cities will be occupied. The scope of the operation is reportedly more extensive than ever before.

- Arafat on the phone frantically to Arab leaders begging for rescue.

- Arafat, in live broadcast on al Jazeera TV, calls for Muslims to fight Israel, in other words, Jihad. "I am waiting for the privilege of becoming a martyr and to join the ranks of my friends who were killed by Israel, Abu Jihad, Abu Iyad and Abu Ali Mustafa," said Arafat to the Arab network.

- Israel estimates that there will be an increase in terrorism in the next few days.

- Israeli military sources say that Ramallah is just the "first of many" Palestinian towns to be entered.

[NewsGuy]

Originally posted by alexbmn
really? No one is immune ? they actually said that? Dont toy with my emotions man

Yep.

If I owned a life insurance company in Gaza, I sure wouldn't issue any policies for any the top brass at the PA.

[NewsGuy]

Classic Arafat:

In a public statement today to al Jazeera TV, Arafat stated in reaction to the Israeli government's war on terrorism, "millions of suicide martyrs are on their way to Jerusalem."

In response, Israeli sources said that this is the second time Arafat is making his "millions of Shaheeds (suicide martyrs)" speech, and this exposes his true face.

[ibrodsky]

There has just been another suicide bombing in Jerusalem -- this time, in a supermarket.

Arafat has in essence challenged Israel to make him a martyr.I think Israel should seriously consider his request.

I have been studying the history of the region for the past several months, and am convinced that the way to stop the terrorism is to kill PA, Hamas, and IJ leaders. Let's hope Israel kills or captures or Arafat.

The Palestinians have been trying since the beginning of the infantifata to ignite a regional war. No doubt they will do everything they can to do so now. A major test may be forthcoming... the opening of a second front by Hezbollah.

[JustSad]

I am afraid the Israeli will one day remember Arafat, wishing they did business with him instead of figting him. His successor will likely not be so patient....

[ibrodsky]

Originally posted by JustSad
I am afraid the Israeli will one day remember Arafat, wishing they did business with him instead of figting him. His successor will likely not be so patient....

Yeah, the good old days when the PA was run by the Father of All Terrorists. Give me a break.

Arafat is evil. In the words of U.S. VP Cheney, "You can hang him."

Arafat has pretended to be for a peaceful solution simply because he knows that he cannot defeat the IDF through a direct confrontation. Arafat hopes that he can dupe the West into helping him get everything he wants (leading to the total destruction of Israel) through non-military means.

Remember, prior to 1967 there was never a call for a Palestinian state. This is because the current conflict is simply a continuation of Israel's War of Independence. The issue of a "Palestinian state" is totally phony. They don't want their own state, they want to destroy Israel. They hate Jews and are quite content to kill as many Jews as possible, all the while denying this is their goal.

But it is their goal.

[NewsGuy]

From Foxnews:

Secretary of State Colin Powell blamed terrorists for the burgeoning war in the Middle East, but said U.S. Special Envoy Anthony Zinni would remain in the region to work on a peace settlement.

"The United States condemns these acts of terror and those responsible for them," Powell said Friday. "Once again, terrorists have set back the vision of the Palestinian people for a state that would live in peace, side by side with Israel."

Israel attacked Palestinian Authority headquarters in Ramallah, where chairman Yasser Arafat is holed up. The retaliation follows some of the heaviest attacks in days, including a "Passover Massacre" Wednesday that killed 22 and a suicide bombing Friday morning by a 18-year-old girl that killed two outside a Jerusalem shopping center.

Powell placed blame solely on the shoulders of the Palestinian militants, whose attacks have cast a pall on any chance for a peace settlement despite Arab support for a Saudi-backed peace plan and two weeks of Zinni-led negotiations that seemed to be yielding success.

[NewsGuy]

"The political process is there staring us in the face," said Powell, but he added, "Nothing can get started, no political process can take hold, in the presence of this type of terrorist activity."

[NewsGuy]

Speaking on a cell phone to Abu Dahbi TV, Arafat was quoted as saying that, if killed, he will have a successor, although he declined to elaborate on exactly who would succeed him.

Describing his current situation, he said that there was an Israeli tank located just a few meters away from him, and that the IDF demolished 7 buildings in his headquarters compound, sparing only the building he was located in, although there was some shell damage caused to his building, as well.

In the interview, Arafat told the Gulf state's TV station that beside him lay the bodies of 7 dead Palestinian troops, as well as 10 wounded.

Palestinian sources confirmed that 6 of Arafat's bodyguards were injured, 3 seriously, when they decided to shoot at an advancing Israeli tank. They reported that the IDF was shooting directly into Arafat's office and that the "Ra'is" (Arafat's official title in Arabic) was in grave danger.

Israel denied that it was targeting Arafat personally.