Threats Increase Tensions.

newsVOA.com had an interesting story about the recent attacks in Israel and Gaza today. The leaders of the militant group, Hamas, are threatening Israel with increased rocket attacks. Israel follows with the standard statement; Israel will do everything in their power to protect themselves.

One statement given by a Hamas leader opened my eyes today. It was a pathetic attempt to gain sympathy. On top of that, their ability to understand cause and effect is horribly deficient. Israel fires rockets AFTER Hamas kills innocent people. I do not understand why this fact is not apparent to the militant leaders of Hamas. If they would stop attacking Israel, Israel would stop attacking them, plain and simple.

Here is the statement by Hamas leadership: "So I think Israel tries to make Gaza sink in the ocean of blood and tears and suffering," said Hamas official Ghazi Hamad. "And maybe it tried to impose some collective punishment against [the] Palestinian people." (newsVOA.com)

This statement completely panders to emotion and sympathy. Hamas leaders are putting the Palestinians in harms way. They are the ones who, with their behavior and rhetoric, endanger the lives of innocent, moral, and good Palestinians. After firing this ridiculous rhetoric at the media, they then hide behind innocent people for camouflage. Their behavior is contemptible and immoral. These radically violent militants should be scorned by other people in their community. A little peer pressure goes a long way.

Can Peace be on the Horizon?

Just when we thought there may be a break through in peace negotiations, violence erupts. According to a report by Reuters, one Palestinian is dead after an Israeli soldier caught him planting a bomb. The Palestinian was shot and later died from wounds suffered in the attack.

One may ask, is peace even possible in an environment were violence is a daily occurence? For the most part it seems that Israeli forces are typically defending themselves from random bombings and missle attacks from Palestinian militants. If this is the case, then Isralie forces are justified in using force. Also, if Arab leaders truly do want a peace agreement, they must promote a hardline stance against the attacks of Palestinian miliatnts against Israel. Especially if the attacks are targeting innocent civilians.

If Palestinian militants believe they are justified in using force, then they should get in their military uniforms and fight for the country they desire. Instead they act like cowards and using terror tactics against innocent civilians.