IDF launches large-scale operation in Gaza

http://www.maarivenglish.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=10979

Following Tuesday’s Kassam barrage, army forces enter strip in three locations: East of Khan Younes, south of Kissufim artery and in northern Gaza.

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"The IDF has launched a large-scale operation in the Gaza Strip in an attempt to prevent the firings of Kassam rockets towards southern Israel.

Several hours after the decision to divide the strip into three parts following Tuesday’s barrage, which came after the IAF raid on a Hamas training facility in which 14 terrorists were killed, infantry forces accompanied by helicopter gun ships entered the strip at three locations.

Golani soldiers are operating east of Khan Younes to locate wanted terrorists and arms, Givati units are operating south of the Kissufim artery, while soldiers from the Shimshon Battalion are trying to clamp down on Kassam firing squads in the northern Gaza Strip refugee camp of Jebalya and around the town of Beit Hanoun.

According to a military source, “We will continue to act forcefully to prevent the firings of Kassam rockets, whether by stepping up the pressure or clamping down on terror infrastructures."

I expect the Kassam firings will end now.

He should be honest: "We will continue to act forcefully
to take reprisals against the Palestinians for Kassam firings."

But firing those things is a damned stupid business, and the real point of aim for them is not Israel but political prestige among the more radicalized portions of the Arab Palestinian populace. War is not waged well by gestures.

True. I have been thinking lately that humans in groups
are capable of little else. Perhaps it is time to revisit
Mr. Bierce for a little tonic for the soul. In this particular
case, while there is little to be said for the Kassam firings -
grafitti would most likely be nearly as effective and have fewer
side effects - they match nicely the character of the response
to them. Sound and fury, signifying nothing, on both sides.

"War is not waged well by gestures."

or by catchy slogans...

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/475034.html

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"Palestinians on Wednesday continued to fire Qassam rockets and mortar shells at Israeli targets, despite an Israel Defense Forces operation meant to halt the firing.

A Qassam rocket landed on Wednesday afternoon in Sderot, hitting a vehicle in the compound of the "Of Kor" factory in the city. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Earlier on Wednesday, Palestinians fired a mortar shell at the Gaza Strip settlement of Neveh Dekalim in the Gush Katif settlement bloc. One woman suffered from shock after the rocket hit a residential house inside the settlement.

Two additional Qassam rockets landed in Sderot during the day, causing no injuries.

Two rockets were also fired from Gaza at around noon on Wednesday, falling in a community in the Western Negev.
Earlier in the day, three Qassam rockets landed in the western Negev, hitting an open field and causing injuries."