Over 130 rockets and mortar shells fall on Israel in 3 day period; additional rocket slams into residential neighborhood in Beersheba, damaging 15 homes; over 200,000 children stay home from school.

http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=261373

But frankly Human lives are worth more then property. A boy being killed is far more upsetting then kids having a day off.

As a mother, I would much rather have my child alive and home from school for a day then dead and never attending school again.

the kids are out of school because people are firing rockets at them right?

Both are wrong.

One is more devastating then the other.

To try and make them somehow equal is very wrong.

Morters do not equal bombs dropped via airplane.

Rocks are not equal to bullets.

Both are wrong, one is far more deadly.

they are launching rockets

What would be the best approach to deal with the mortars and rockets?

They are in Retailation

Here are all of the rocket attacks in 2012

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Palestinian_rocket_attacks_on_Israel,_2012

Israelis and Palestinians Killed in the Current Violence

At least 6,537 Palestinians and 1,092 Israelis
have been killed since September 29, 2000.

An eye for an eye makes the world blind.

Unwilling to change tactics, to stubborn to realize that change must occur for a better life for both sides.
So sad.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-11/israeli-airstrikes-kill-three-increasing-death-toll-in-gaza-strip-to-18.html

"The bloodshed started with an Israeli airstrike on what the army said were two militants planning an attack from the Egyptian-controlled Sinai, including Zuhir al-Qaisi, head of the Popular Resistance Committees."

Your list of Palestinian rocket attacks is mighty impressive...except they almost always result in no damage and no injuries.

Wow, you finally found an oppressive government shooting rockets at a restive civilian population that you can cheer for. I think I see the light now.

On almost all the listed attacks had those words included.

I didn't see any major injuries or deaths.

Surely you must think there is another answer besides fighting until one wipes out the other.
___________________________________________


Also since you want to play the numbers game:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli%E2%80%93Palestinian_conflict#Fatalities_1948.E2.80.93present

Partial casualty figures for the Israeli–Palestinian conflict from the OCHAoPt[192]
(numbers in parentheses represent casualties under age 18)
Deaths Injuries
Year Palestinians Israelis Palestinians Israelis
2008-26.12.08[193] 464 (87) 31 (4)
2007 396 (43) 13 (0) 1843 (265) 322 (3)
2006 678 (127) 25 (2) 3194 (470) 377 (7)
2005 216 (52) 48 (6) 1260 (129) 484 (4)
Total 1754 (309) 117 (12) 6297 (864) 1183 (14)

All numbers refer to casualties of direct conflict between Israelis and Palestinians including in IDF military operations, artillery shelling, search and arrest campaigns, Barrier demonstrations, targeted killings, settler violence etc. The figures do not include events indirectly related to the conflict such as casualties from unexploded ordnance, etc., or events when the circumstances remain unclear or are in dispute. The figures include all reported casualties of all ages and both genders.[192]

None of them having to do with weapons. But I have a feeling this conversation won't go anywhere and I am reminded of why the I/P forum created.

My solutions would have to do with fairness, equality, standard of living, education, etc.

abide by international law and leave the occupied territories, abandon an apartheid government, and get on with life.

has carried out over the past several months? Hamas said they would retaliate since innocent civilians were killed in those assassinations.

Here we go again.

Haven't they always been at war?

The cycle of violence continues. Children and innocents on both sides are killed and maimed regularly. More children grow up in violence and become immune to its horror, regarding it as a way of life. And the cycle of violence continues.

those who don't.

Where is a useful virtual reality when you really NEED one? People could make their choices (one side/consequences, or the other, or neither) and engage those who make the reciprocating choice; they could engage virtually, and, then, if they really insist, real world/time, winners execute losers. Sounds horrible doesn't it, but at least that little boy would get to school to create the kind of life he has to offer to his world and that guy and his dog make it home for lunch with his neighbors.