Israel Kills Hamas Militant Leader in Gaza

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright Nov. 14, 2012
All Rights Reserved.                                         

         Striking Hamas militants in Gaza with pinpoint accuracy, Israeli Defense Forces retaliated for ongoing rocket attacks in Beersheva.  Hitting Hamas militant leader Ahmed al-Jaabari’s car in a busy part of Gaza before sundown with a missile, the IDF struck in the heart of Hamas’ stronghold.  Vowing to “open up the gates of hell,” Hamas promised retaliation firing more Grad rockets into Southern Israel.  While Hamas claims to have no control over Gaza’s rocket attacks, Israel holds Hamas accountable for all militant acts since they’re the ruling legal authority.  Escalation follows Syrian mortar attacks into Israel-controlled Golan Heights, an Israel spoil of the 1967 War.  Eygpt’s new government, led by 61-year-old U.S.-educated Islmamist Mohamed Morsi, condemned the raids by removing Egypt’s Israeli ambassador.  Palestinian rocket attacks have escalated in recent weeks.

            Al-Jaabari ran Hamas’ armed win, Izz el-Deen Al-Qassam, responsible for growing missile strikes on the Jewish state.  While much of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attention has focused on Iran, Hamas and other militant groups represent a far great threat to Israel.  Showing Israel’s surgical precision, the missile was fired from an Israel helicopter gunship, incinerating al-Jaabari and his photographer.  “Today we relayed a clear message to the Hamas organization and other terrorist organizations,” Netanyahu said.  “And if there is a need, the IDF is prepared to broaden the operation.  We will continue to do everything to protect our citizens.”  Fighting a losing civil war, Syria picked the wrong time to challenge Israel in the Golan Heights.  Hamas knows the consequences of firing missiles into Israeli territory, regardless of the political justifications 

            Killing al-Qassam was a big hit for the IDF, considering the untold mayhem wreaked on Israel by Hamas through suicide bombing and other attacks.  “The occupation has opened up the gates of hell,” said Hamas’ armed wing, promising more attacks on Israel.  “Israel has declared war on Gaza and they will bear the responsibility for the consequences,” said an old enemy called Islamic Jihad.  Whatever control 49-year-old Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh has over Gaza, he can’t stop numerous terrorist factions taking refuge in Gaza.  While there’s much bravado by militant groups in Gaza, Hanieyeh knows the real consequences of provoking the IDF.  When the last Intifada or uprising occurred in 2008-09, 1,400 Palestinians lost their lives.  “The days we face in the south will, in my estimation, prove protracted,” said IDF spokesman Brigadier-General Yoav Mordechai.

            Over one million Israelis live within range of Gaza’s rocket attacks, bracing for more missiles in the near term.  With the civil war raging in Syria, Palestinian-backed Hamas in the South and Iranian-backed Hezbollah in the North would like nothing more than to conduct a two front war on Israel’s borders.  Since fighting Hezbollah to a standoff in 2006, Israel’s enemies have grown bolder in recent years.  “The home front must brace itself resiliently,” said Mordechai, anticipating more rocket attacks across Israel’s Southern border.  Israeli President Shimon Peres briefed President Barack Obama, letting him know that al-Jaabari was a “mass murderer” on Israel’s Most Wanted list.  “Israel is not interested in stoking he flames, but for the past five days there has been constant missile fir at Israel and mothers and children cannot sleep quietly at night,” said Peres.

            Only eight days out from his reelection, Obama faces some tough choices domestically and in foreign policy.  During the campaign, he committed himself completely to Israel’s security, especially with the Iranian nuclear threat.  With poor contact in Gaza, the State Department has limited clout to reign in Palestinian terrorists.  Part of the U.S. difficulty in fully supporting the Syrian revolt is knowing that it’s backed by radical Palestinian groups.  U.S. officials can’t forget Palestinians dancing in the streets after Sept. 11.  Whatever Netanyahu thinks of the “potential” Iranian nuclear threat, Israel’s real, immediate and implacable threat comes from Hamas and other militants in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.  While Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad blows smoke, Netanyahu know full well that Palestinians blow off real missiles in Southern Israel.

            Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned  Israeli attacks, calling them “dangerous Israeli escalation and brutal aggression on our people in the Gaza Strip.”  Abbas says nothing about the 115 rockets fired by Gaza militants into Southern Israel over the last five days.  With the Israeli general election slated for Jan. 22, more violence in Gaza seals Netanyahu’s reelection.  Netanyahu gets high grades with Israeli citizens for protecting their security.  When Egypt voted in Islamist Mohamed Morsi June 24, it signaled closer ties with Hamas.  Hamas hopes that Morsi will rush to Gaza’s defense if Israel escalates attacks.  With over 1.7 million Palestinians living in Gaza, Egypt’s in no place to fight Hamas’ battles.  Whether there’s any fraternity between Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi must keep Gaza from another military fiasco.

 John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com.and author of Dodging the Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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