Surveys

Just some quick observations about the recent violence in Gaza.Backspin has helpfully provided some numbers that illustrate the threat to Israel, focusing on Ashkelon.

Note especially, the budget of Izzedine al Kassam’s estimated budget. Given the poverty of Gaza one would expect butter to have priority over guns.

If you wish to find out what’s been shot at Israel, there’s a new website PTWatch that has created a searchable database of rocket and mortar attackes. PTWatch was inspired by Elder of Ziyon’s Qassam calendar. This is an example of how good ideas in blogging can take hold. Since Palestinian attacks on Israel are underreported, PTWatch looks to be a valuable resource.

Did I say that attacks on Israel are underreported, Crusader Rabbit noticed something missing from his survey of headlines. Meryl wonders the same thing.

And may I point out that nearly every report has been scrupulously counting the number of civilians killed in Gaza. The New York Times reported on an incident:

Hamas said that one girl, Malak Karfaneh, 6, died Friday night from an Israeli strike on Beit Hanun in northern Gaza, but residents said that a Palestinian rocket had fallen short and landed near the house. , killing her and wounding three siblings.Israeli officials say that up to half of Palestinian rockets — mostly crude, inaccurate Qassams — fall inside Gaza. But when Hamas broke open the border with Egypt, Israeli officials say, the militants were able to bring in more of the manufactured Katyusha-style rockets as well as antitank missiles and concrete, for building fortifications.

If half the Qassams actually fall inside Gaza, I wonder how many civilian casualties might actually be attributed to Qassams falling short of their targets.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad.