They are still thinking like a terrorist organization, which (they think) gets to make demands without any demands being put on them. But they are now also an elected government, and can be held responsible as such for their actions (and for the actions of those living under their control).

Perhaps this was a crossing of the Rubicon for Hamas; I doubt very much whether they wanted an all-out shooting war with Israel. But they have awakened the sleeping lion, as Cox and Forkum point out.

Israel has declared her intention not to escalate, so long as she achieves her objective of getting Cpl. Shalit out alive. The Palestinians have responded by launching more Qassam rockets at Israeli civilians, and by announcing that al-Aqsa Martyr’s Brigade has kidnapped yet another Israeli. (These are Abbas’s people, please remember; so much for ‘moderates’.)

Israel is indeed at war… and the Palestinians have no idea what they are bringing upon themselves.

respectfully,
Daniel in Brookline

Amir the Putz is a joke as Defense Minister as is Ehud the Snake Olmert as Prime Minister. Olmert and his dopey wife have churned out three lunatic children.

I will be surprised if the Israeli soldier is saved. This is about what happens when a liberal discovers that his world view was naive. Let’s hope he acts somewhat like a conservative would act in like circumstances. The Palestinians are about to find out (again) that despite (clueless and leftist) worldwide support for their conduct in daily attacking innocent Israelis evil actions have consequences.