It’s begun.
For the first time since the operation in Gaza got underway, IDF artillery cannons started to shell targets in the Strip Saturday, witnesses on both sides of the border said, heralding a possible escalation to a new tactic in more than a week of fighting.
There’s no other reason to use the mortars.
One of the things that bothers me the most about this is not just that Israeli soldiers will die, but that I know innocent Palestinians will be killed. I feel especially bad about the children. And yes, I know Hamas has put them in harm’s way—but the children did not bring Hamas on themselves.
I hope they find a safe shelter until this war is done.
I also hope that they find shelter during this time, but unfortunately, they have none.
I don’t know what the answer is. Sitting here in Tel Aviv I just feel fear and pain.
All peace is a touch away.
Alison
More about their lack of bomb shelters here: http://sababi.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-thing-israelis-and-hamas-has-in.html
Bless the IDF.
I hold everyone of these guys in my heart.
The clearest sign that we’re on the right side in this thing is that we worry about the children, and they don’t.
I just came back from a visit to the South; my son is in basic training next to Beer Sheva. He is not yet in it but other mothers’ sons and daughters are. I feel as though they’re all mine.
I don’t want to jinx – but until now, Ashkenazi didn’t put a foot wrong. Even our glorious politicians seem to have learned something. Bli ayn ha ra.
May all our soldiers come home unharmed. It’s great to know there are good people abroad praying for them.
Meryl – those are M109A2 155mm howitzers lobbing 85 lb rounds with each having a 75 meter blast radius. (The largest mortars are 4.2″ and the rounds are a lot smaller.)
You’re right – they aren’t anywhere as accurate as precision bombing, and because the arc is shallow, the blast sprays more than a high angle bombing.
Given the recent photos of kids – anyone over the age of 5 is likely to be used as a walking bomb. It’s sad that the Palestinians hate their children,