Hamas announces 6-month truce with Israel

[Jason Roth]

Forget it. You're right. It's all Israel's fault.

[Deckard]

Originally Posted by Jason Roth

Forget it. You're right. It's all Israel's fault.

Yes of course, exactly what I meant to say.

[Jason Roth]

Originally Posted by Deckard

Yes of course, exactly what I meant to say.

"whenever I hear those phrases "Hamas announces truce" or "Hamas announces ceasefire", it always seems to be followed (within days) by some kind of Israeli assault, resulting in said 'truce' in shreds."

[Deckard]

Certainly the last few times (which doesn't equal a historical 'always', I'll give you that) that I've felt a tinge of optimism, it seems to have been Israel in the news days later getting heavy handed, and the 'brink' is lost.

Much as I'd love to dig out sources, I'm going purely on the memory of reading those stories and thinking to myself, "Christ, Israel, what a lousy time to go and do something like that". Naturally you're free to speculate on whether my memory is selective and being influenced by a fixed pro-Palestinian (or anti-Israel) bias, and I imagine that no amount of me denying that will convince you otherwise if you've already made up your mind.

What I will say to you Jason, is that if you think I believe the current mess is "all Israel's fault" - or even the majority of it is Israel's fault - then you're very much mistaken, and being rather stupid yourself.

[BeautifulBurnout]

Seems they are also calling for talks on Lebanon too now, which is interesting.

An article in the Jerusalem Post seems to be pre-empting a potential terrorist attack by other factions in the run-up to the Hamas truce that might require a "response", however. And the head of Military Intelligence seems to be looking on the bright side too :

Brig.-Gen. Yossi Baiditz, head of Military Intelligence's Research Division, said that the IDF had already prepared and presented plans for operations in Gaza should the truce collapse. MKs, he said, had already been briefed on the various options and contingencies.

"Even if the calm is achieved with Hamas and the other terror organizations, it will be temporary and breakable," he added.

Originally Posted by Jason Roth

Can I ban people for being stupid?

You appear to have read the first line of Deckard's post without reading the rest of it, which is very balanced. In fact I am at a loss to find anyone who posts in the World Forum with a more balanced approach than Deckard's, ever. Threatening to ban someone because you don't share their opinion makes no sense at all, especially in World. There would be no-one left.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by BeautifulBurnout

Seems they are also calling for talks on Lebanon too now, which is interesting.

An article in the Jerusalem Post seems to be pre-empting a potential terrorist attack by other factions in the run-up to the Hamas truce that might require a "response", however. And the head of Military Intelligence seems to be looking on the bright side too :

Can't blame them given the history. In contrast with Deckard, as I remember it, during previous attempts at a cease-fire, there would be things like kidnappings of Israeli soldiers or random missiles shot across the border into Israel that would prompt a military response from them. When dealing with a terrorist organization like Hamas, I'd say it's wise to be ready for anything.

[Deckard]

Originally Posted by Sean

Can't blame them given the history. In contrast with Deckard, as I remember it, during previous attempts at a cease-fire, there would be things like kidnappings of Israeli soldiers or random missiles shot across the border into Israel that would prompt a military response from them. When dealing with a terrorist organization like Hamas, I'd say it's wise to be ready for anything.

It's quite possible that the Israeli heavy-handedness is sticking in my mind more over the last few occasions because it goes against what we've come to expect/what the popular view is. I do get the impression that Hamas violence is instantly linked with sabotaging progress, whereas the Israeli violence isn't. (does the recognition of being state-sanctioned give it more legitimacy?). I stand by my recollection, but as I say, I'm happy (and hoping) to be proven wrong, though that's obviously not to say I'm hoping for elements of Hamas to curtail things either. But either way, we'll see. Let's just say I'm noting it this time.

BB - gosh, very kind.