Netanyahu declares 'victory' in Gaza

[webfact]

Gaza conflict: Israeli PM Netanyahu says war was 'victory'

JERUSALEM: -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the seven-week conflict in Gaza ended in "victory".

The Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement was "hit hard and got none of its demands," Mr Netanyahu said.

Hamas has also claimed the truce represents a victory for Gaza and held a large rally to celebrate it.

On Tuesday a ceasefire came into effect after 50 days of fierce fighting in which more than 2,200 people died, most of them Palestinians.

In a televised news conference, Mr Netanyahu said Hamas had been "hit hard" and threatened an even tougher response should there be so much as a "sprinkle" of rocket fire from Gaza.

He added that Israel "didn't agree to accept any of Hamas' demands".

On Wednesday, the UN's World Food Programme said one of its convoys had entered Gaza for the first time since 2007, carrying enough food to feed around 150,000 people for five days.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28955615


-- BBC 2014-08-28

[Ulysses G.]

Hamas was "hit hard and got none of its demands,". They lost leadership, decimated their rocket supply - which Egypt will not allow them to replenish - had their tunnels destroyed and lots of weapon and ammo dumps as well. Victory on many levels.

[NeverSure]

Hamas didn't get any of its demands met. It simply got its butt kicked.

It doesn't surprise me that Hamas would need to quit with its tail between its legs, and then celebrate victory. They need to save face in this world.

Give them time to re-arm helped by ISIS, and they'll be back at it. Then Israel will put the hammer down again, and once more some will blame Israel.

Mark my words: Israel will keep its part of the bargain and Hamas will not.

[keemapoot]

It is a victory for Hammas in one important respect. They have reestablished themselves as an important player in the Middle East, especially now that the Muslim Brotherhood etc., have been marginalized. Importantly, going forward, they have inserted themselves into any process with Israel regarding the Palestinians.

[Ulysses G.]

True, but as they are half of the Palestinian government, they were making any attempts at peace or compromise impossible anyway.

[Seastallion]

Netanyahu showing his true agenda; Do not concede to any demands, even the reasonable, legitimate and fair ones.

This is why peace talks always fail.

[theoldgit]

Post with inappropriate play on words in persons name removed.

[tpazzi]

People survive wars, nobody wins them.

That both Israel and Hamas are claiming victory is actually a good thing - it shows a level of emotional investment by both sides in maintaining the ceasefire.

[boomerangutang]

Can Hamas or anyone in Gaza actually control what a few hotheads do? If some punks get some missiles (home-made or supplied by Iran, or...?) and chuck them over the wall, who's going to stop them? I'll answer my own question: No, not Hamas, nor immans, nor anyone else can control whatever mischief some punks want to spark.

You and I can sit back in our easy chairs and say, "Oh, that won't happen because Palestinians know that..... blah blah blah." We can also say mothers won't kill their babies. But weird shit happens. There are loose cannons everywhere, in every country. Hamas, if it has any influence and/or authority left, should heavily patrol their precincts to ensure that no punks do anything rash. It would just take one errant little bomb going over the fence, and Gaza may lose a few more apartment blocks and dozens more people killed.

[coma]

2+++ to 70 odd. That sure is a victory.

[ABCer]

Hamas was "hit hard and got none of its demands,". They lost leadership, decimated their rocket supply - which Egypt will not allow them to replenish - had their tunnels destroyed and lots of weapon and ammo dumps as well. Victory on many levels.

Tactical victory on many levels.

Strategical loss overall.

HAMAS is still in charge. Expect first cleaning up the seeds of discontent among Arab Palestinians. Consolidation of power over Gaza. Re-arming. Re-cruiting. Re-education. Re-digging. Re-opening the issues.

Strategically Israelis lost.

The World Public sympathy never was, is or will be for Israel.

The common belief that Jews are smart, devious, powerful - is a fallacy.

They are trying to win wearing white gloves against an unscrupulous, cruel, ruthless and fanatical enemy. Not a chance.

[NeverSure]

-snip-

The World Public sympathy never was, is or will be for Israel.

And just who would "The World" be?

Which Western country supports Hamas over Israel?

[ABCer]

-snip-

The World Public sympathy never was, is or will be for Israel.

And just who would "The World" be?

Which Western country supports Hamas over Israel?

Never Sure, the World is too big to unswer your question in details. Besides, I am also never sure.

But I can give just a few examples.

USA: when Obama compares Israel's self defence with Nazis... when USA gives Palestinian Arabs $3 Bn in 'humanitarian aid' knowing damn well where the money are going.

..........

......... feel free to fill the gaps here. Just leave Canada out of the list.

........

Thailand: when mad crowds are allowed to go rampant in front of Israeli Embassy at the time of declared Martial Law with total impunity.

...........

BBC: proudly 'breaking the World news' but quietly 'fixing the same news' by showing only death and destruction on one side.

In fact any country, any mass media agency, any Gov't or groups of individuals refusing to see that Israel's fight for survival is also the fight for the rest of the World.

And finally every poster here on TV refusing to acknowledge and differentiate the actions of selfdefence from acts of mad fanatical futile aggression.

Good enough for you?

[up-country_sinclair]

No one should be surprised that Netanyahu is doing a victory dance atop the graves of innocent women and children.

But the most important thing that Israel lost in the war is unquestioned support from the White House. Future presidents (of both parties) aren't going to forget how Israel treated the US Secretary of State--both in person and in the media. To my knowledge this type of disrespect has never been displayed before by Israel, and I'm confident that meetings in Washington DC are being held to assure it doesn't happen again. Netanyahu overplayed his hand, and the repercussions will be felt in Tel Aviv for years to come. Uncle Sam doesn't forget, and payback is a bitch.

[TVGerry]

It was a victory for Israel. Hamas tried pulling their PR BS by using their children as human shields but that didn't deter the Israelis. Good luck using the same trick again. The Israelis have shown they have the stomach for killing innocents if it means protecting their own citizens.

As for the rest of the world and the US. Well Obama never liked Netanyahu anyway so who cares? The black golf player is leaving in a couple of years and the next administration will deal with Israel differently. As for the 'protests' here in Thailand. If you look at the pictures of the 'mad crowds', you're right, they're mostly mad. With Osama beards. I doubt non Muslim Thais give a damn about what's happening.

[Ulysses G.]

But the most important thing that Israel lost in the war is unquestioned support from the White House. Future presidents (of both parties) aren't going to forget how Israel treated the US Secretary of State--both in person and in the media.

Poppycock. Most politicians of both parties in America back Israel and they don't blame them for standing up to Kerry and Obama. In fact many of them were angry about the way that Israel has been treated. If a Republican or Hillary is elected things will go back to normal and one of those two things is going to happen in 2016.

[up-country_sinclair]

But the most important thing that Israel lost in the war is unquestioned support from the White House. Future presidents (of both parties) aren't going to forget how Israel treated the US Secretary of State--both in person and in the media.

Poppycock. Most politicians of both parties in America back Israel and they don't blame them for standing up to Kerry and Obama.

I'm not sure if this type of statement is indicative of naiveté or a blinkered perspective.

Whether or not most politicians of both parties in America back Israel is completely irrelevant to the bigger picture of how America is perceived on the international stage. Even if it was the UK PM who had acted this disrespectfully, there would be payback coming. Even in Tel Aviv they know this.

[Asiantravel]

Israel-Gaza conflict: No victory for Israel despite weeks of devastation

Palestinians have won: they are still in Gaza, and Hamas is still there

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/israelgaza-conflict-no-victory-for-israel-despite-weeks-of-devastation-9695183.html

[Ulysses G.]

But the most important thing that Israel lost in the war is unquestioned support from the White House. Future presidents (of both parties) aren't going to forget how Israel treated the US Secretary of State--both in person and in the media.

Poppycock. Most politicians of both parties in America back Israel and they don't blame them for standing up to Kerry and Obama.

I'm not sure if this type of statement is indicative of naiveté or a blinkered perspective.

It is indicative of knowing how the political system in America works. Obama is seen as the worst president since WW 2 and his foreign policy is seen as feckless. Very few Americans will blame Israel for standing up for themselves. If fact, it is seen as a positive.

[chuckd]

But the most important thing that Israel lost in the war is unquestioned support from the White House. Future presidents (of both parties) aren't going to forget how Israel treated the US Secretary of State--both in person and in the media.

Poppycock. Most politicians of both parties in America back Israel and they don't blame them for standing up to Kerry and Obama.

I'm not sure if this type of statement is indicative of naiveté or a blinkered perspective.

Whether or not most politicians of both parties in America back Israel is completely irrelevant to the bigger picture of how America is perceived on the international stage. Even if it was the UK PM who had acted this disrespectfully, there would be payback coming. Even in Tel Aviv they know this.

As UG was trying to point out, in a little over 40 months Israel will no longer have to endure a US President that loathes them.

They have withstood much more, from far more responsible foes, than anything the Obama leadership (?) team can throw at them.

Kerry is a joke and will be gone at the same time.

Both of them are irrelevant to the long term security of Israel.

[up-country_sinclair]

But the most important thing that Israel lost in the war is unquestioned support from the White House. Future presidents (of both parties) aren't going to forget how Israel treated the US Secretary of State--both in person and in the media.

Poppycock. Most politicians of both parties in America back Israel and they don't blame them for standing up to Kerry and Obama.

I'm not sure if this type of statement is indicative of naiveté or a blinkered perspective.

It is indicative of knowing how the political system in America works. Obama is seen as the worst president since WW 2 and his foreign policy is seen as feckless. Very few Americans will blame Israel for standing up for themselves. If fact, it is seen as a positive.

OK, so it's both.

[Amavel]

Too bad Gaza cannot rebuild because construction materials have been banned for years. The only thing Israel has won is that now it can be branded accurately as a Terrorist nation that is just as bad as Hamas.

As an American I am ashamed that my tax dollars are used for Israeli weapons to kill children. Many like me are pressuring our congressmen and Senators to stop the $7 million a day spent on Israel. Israel has a right to exist, but it can exist without my help. It can also exist without the Terrorism it is perpetuating on a civilian population. Cluster bombs on neighborhoods? Shame on them.

[joepublic]

Hamas was "hit hard and got none of its demands,". They lost leadership, decimated their rocket supply - which Egypt will not allow them to replenish - had their tunnels destroyed and lots of weapon and ammo dumps as well. Victory on many levels.

Tactical victory on many levels.

Strategical loss overall.

HAMAS is still in charge. Expect first cleaning up the seeds of discontent among Arab Palestinians. Consolidation of power over Gaza. Re-arming. Re-cruiting. Re-education. Re-digging. Re-opening the issues.

Strategically Israelis lost.

The World Public sympathy never was, is or will be for Israel.

The common belief that Jews are smart, devious, powerful - is a fallacy.

They are trying to win wearing white gloves against an unscrupulous, cruel, ruthless and fanatical enemy. Not a chance.

Completely agree with you.

Israel won the body count, but are no 'safer' from rockets or the certain threat of better weapons. Hamas is still able, as of today, to launch rockets

Hamas "won" on many levels.

- They killed over fifty soldiers.

- The aura of invincibility provided by remote bombing, unchecked force and expensive weapons has completely gone.

- Hundreds of thousands of people all over the world demonstrated, suggesting that millions more now see Israel for what it is.

- A fresh impetus for the boycott of Israeli products is underway.

- A massive boost for recruitment for direct action against the Zionists

- A partial lifting of the blockade

- A consolidation of political power and support from the Palestinians

- A recognition that if there is to be a solution, you have to deal with Hamas

- A new generation of people are now aware about IDF war crimes and illegal nature of Israels establishment

- The USA was exposed as complicit partner and supplier of munitions in the genocide of the Palestinians

- Hamas flushed out and dealt with the IDF spy network

The Jewish people outside Israel sadly lost, with huge rises in anti antisemitism - this is no victory for anyone.

Great warriors understand that victory is achieving your goals with the minimum of violence.

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

The Zionists did not subdue the enemy, but did a lot of fighting. I don't know how this can be called a victory

[boomerangutang]

Why all this Obama and Kerry bashing. I like 'em both. They're having to tip-toe in a field of broken glass which has been there for 60 years.

Nobody 'won' the mini-war in Gaza. Israel showed it was serious about coming down hard on punks tossing bombs over the fence. Israel continues blocking the exits north and east, and I don't blame them. Egypt continues blocking exits to most people and things on the south. It's lamentable that Gaza won't be allowed to have an airport or ship port, but again, it's understandable. Even with the blockades, there are bombs and bomb-making material coming in to Gaza, mostly via tunnels. With easier access, it's likely the destructive imports would increase. Israel is doing what it feels it must to do protect itself and its citizens. I would expect nothing less.

[Ulysses G.]

Too bad Gaza cannot rebuild because construction materials have been banned for years.

That must be how they built those luxury hotels, modern shopping malls and tunnels.

[konying]

Netanyahu showing his true agenda; Do not concede to any demands, even the reasonable, legitimate and fair ones.

This is why peace talks always fail.

May be you can explain to me the "reasonable ' in demanding from Israel to open Egyptian border and to have full control of it??

[Ulysses G.]

Try to find it on a LEGITIMATE website. It is on every neo-Nazi, anti-Semitic and Islamic one there is, because it is FAKE.

[Seastallion]

Netanyahu showing his true agenda; Do not concede to any demands, even the reasonable, legitimate and fair ones.

This is why peace talks always fail.

May be you can explain to me the "reasonable ' in demanding from Israel to open Egyptian border and to have full control of it??

Did anyone say all of Hamas's demands were reasonable?

But that aside, an open border with Egypt sounds reasonable. Dual control would be more reasonable.

[Jingthing]

Both sides had the declare "victory" for their own internal reasons.

To make this new "truce" palatable domestically.

The actual truth is a lot more complicated ...

[joepublic]

Try to find it on a LEGITIMATE website. It is on every neo-Nazi, anti-Semitic and Islamic one there is, because it is FAKE.

Yes, yes.. we know.

Unless its an IDF press release or Fox News, you wont believe it.