Hamas Causing Chaos, Increasing Attacks on Israel

January 24, 2008 From Aipac.org
Hamas Causing Chaos, Increasing Attacks on Israel

Hamas created further chaos during the past week, stepping up its rocket attacks on Israel and destroying the fence separating Gaza and Egypt. The coordinated attack along the border allowed thousands to move unchecked in an area exploited by Hamas to smuggle weapons and explosives into Gaza. Despite the intensified rocket attacks, Israel is continuing to negotiate with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. At the same time, Israel has been forced to take increased measures to defend its citizens after demonstrating tremendous restraint in the face of the rising violence.

Learn more about the impact of rocket attacks on Israelis.

Read today's Washington Post editorial on the situation in Gaza.


Hamas is fomenting further chaos in Gaza and intensifying daily rocket attacks into Israel.

The premeditated action to destroy the fence along the border allows Hamas and other terrorists to increase their smuggling of cash, weapons, explosives and other materials to build the Qassam rockets used to attack Israel.
Palestinian terrorists in Gaza have already fired more than 400 rockets and mortar shells into Israel during January. Since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, terrorists have fired more than 4,000 rockets and mortars at Israeli villages near the border with Gaza.

Rockets fired by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza have caused extensive damage in Israel, including this home in Sderot.

In addition to the crude Qassam rockets that have a range of five to seven miles, Hamas is also using more sophisticated weaponry. Earlier this month, terrorists fired a Katyusha rocket at Ashkelon from more than 10 miles away, marking the farthest north a rocket has ever been fired into Israel from Gaza.

Israel has demonstrated tremendous restraint in the face of continuing attacks, but must take action to defend its citizens.

Israel has demonstrated extreme restraint in the face of ongoing rocket attacks. However, like every other sovereign nation, Israel has the right and duty to defend its citizens from terror attacks.
While Israel is facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, it must take precautions in the face of continuing violence. IDF forces recently discovered more than two tons of fertilizer, which is used to construct explosives, in a humanitarian aid truck bound for Gaza.
Israel's military response has been carefully calibrated to reduce rocket fire and ensure the safety of Israeli citizens while at the same time making every effort to limit Palestinian civilian casualties.
Israel's actions have targeted Hamas operation centers, Palestinian rocket-launching devices, trucks carrying mass amounts of Qassam rockets, and vehicles carrying armed Palestinians.
The United States has consistently backed Israel's right to defend itself against Palestinian attacks. White House Press Secretary Dana Perino told reporters Jan. 22: "When ... upwards of 150 rockets a day are landed on your territory and injuring or potentially injuring your citizens, you have a right to defend yourself. Imagine if that was happening here. We would certainly defend ourselves."
Israel continues to pursue peace efforts with the Palestinians and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza despite increased terrorism by Hamas.

While Israel last week briefly limited fuel supplies to the Gaza power plant, it has continued to provide more than 70 percent of Gaza's electricity directly from the Israeli power grid. Rather than distribute the power equally across Gaza, however, Hamas chose to black out sections of northern Gaza to create a crisis.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak this week authorized the entry of supplies into the Gaza Strip, including cooking gas, 132,000 gallons of diesel fuel for generators, 581,000 gallons of industrial fuel for power plants and 50 loads of other forms of humanitarian aid.
Since early January, Israel has allowed more than 500 sick Palestinians and 450 companions to enter the Jewish state from Gaza to receive treatment in Palestinian hospitals.
Despite the incessant rocket and mortar attacks from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and ongoing violence in the West Bank, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert has continued to hold substantive talks with PA President Mahmoud Abbas, most recently on Dec. 27. On Jan. 14, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met with top Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qurei.
The Arab states should take steps toward normalization with Israel as called for in Phase II of the Roadmap, which requires the Arab states to restore links to Israel cut off in 2000 and to revive engagement with Israel on key regional issues such as economic development. Israelis need to know that their state will be accepted in the region as the process unfolds.


Basic Facts Summary
Hamas is fomenting further chaos in Gaza and intensifying daily rocket attacks into Israel.
Israel has demonstrated tremendous restraint in the face of continuing attacks, but must take action to defend its citizens.
Israel continues to pursue peace efforts with the Palestinians and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza despite increased terrorism by Hamas.


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