Hamas Attacks Israeli School Bus; 13-Year-Old Critically Injured
I participated earlier this afternoon in a press conference given by Maj. Avital Leibovich, head of the Foreign Press Branch of the IDF Spokesperson's office. She informed us that earlier today, Palestinians in Gaza fired an anti-tank missile at an Israeli school bus inside sovereign Israel, critically injuring a 13-year-old child and seriously injuring the driver. As the bus was apparently approaching the end of the route, the two victims were the only passengers left on the bus. The strike occurred just outside Kibbutz Sa'ad.
The yellow regional council bus was clearly identified as carrying children. Though there have not yet been any claims of responsibility, Israel holds Hamas, which controls Gaza, responsible for all acts of aggression against Israel emanating from their territory.
Maj. Leibovich described the attack as part of an "ongoing attempt by Hamas to try to escalate in the south by targeting Israeli civilians through many means," and indicated that the IDF is "operating" in the area. An Israeli attack helicopter is reported to have machine-gunned a target in the center of Gaza City for the first time since the conclusion of Operation Cast Lead, and an Israeli F-16 is said to have bombed a "major Hamas security compound." Both the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council and the IDF Spokesperson's office are reporting that a barrage of mortar shells and Qassams has been fired at the border area from Gaza since the bus attack this afternoon.
Israeli President Shimon Peres, speaking to UN Security Council ambassadors today, described the bus attack as "another example of how Gaza has turned into a terror state. None of you would give up on the security of your country, and Israel will also defend itself. Hundreds of thousands of mothers and children in southern Israel cannot sleep peacefully at night as a result of the rocket fire from Gaza."
PM Netanyahu also addressed the attack during a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany, stating that Israel will not put up with terrorist attacks that no other country would tolerate.
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Comments :
Feb '11
Re: Hamas Attacks Israeli School Bus; 13-Year-Old Critically Injured
"The yellow regional council bus was clearly identified as carrying children."
Seriously, does this matter?? If it were not clearly marked? If it were not carrying children, but rather adults? This attitude of some of our own people has to stop.
May '10
Re: Hamas Attacks Israeli School Bus; 13-Year-Old Critically Injured
Sad to hear it, Judith. I hope your family remains safe.
I'm shocked that Hamas would waste an anti-tank missile on a schoolbus. If their aim is to kill civilians, there are surely cheaper means. Does this suggest that they possess more missiles than they need? Or is killing civilians truly a high priority (in hope of expanding the conflict)?
Feb '11
Re: Hamas Attacks Israeli School Bus; 13-Year-Old Critically Injured
"Than they need??" Why do they need any? If they'd stop shooting at Israel, they could have all the peace and quiet they could want.
Of course, they have shown that they can be pretty hands-on barbaric to their own brethren, but surely that doesn't require missiles.
May '10
Re: Hamas Attacks Israeli School Bus; 13-Year-Old Critically Injured
Sorry. I meant which they "need" for their goals... which are, of course, reprehensible.
As Claire says, "an anti-tank missile is something you can really aim." It is also, I assume, much more expensive than the sort of explosive mixtures generally used in terrorist attacks. So it's probably significant that an anti-tank missile was used. I'm wondering what that significance is.
If they wanted to blow up a bus full of children, they could have done that in a way that left them some wiggle room with Western media to deny involvement. Missiles immediately narrow down the likely suspects. It seems Hamas wants everyone to know, publicly, that they are responsible for this.
In other words, maybe Hamas is trying to goad Israel into intense actions which will draw the attention of jihadists throughout the Middle East... which isn't to suggest Israel should not strike back with overwhelming force.
Re: Hamas Attacks Israeli School Bus; 13-Year-Old Critically Injured
I gather in my conversations with IDF people here that we are seeing a strategic decision on Hamas's part to take the war directly to Israeli civilians inside all Israel, no matter which side of the Green Line they happen to be on. This has always been a priority for them, of course; what we are seeing now is expedited implementation.
I confess to being concerned about May: the flotilla is expected then, and the Third Intifada people were calling for Israel to be overrun and conquered by "all Muslims" in May. And Hamas is shooting anti-tank missiles at Israeli school buses, clearly confident that they can crank things up with us. This does not augur well.
Jan '11
Re: Hamas Attacks Israeli School Bus; 13-Year-Old Critically Injured
Now it's news.
"Clashes Continue between Israel and Gaza Militants; Nine Palestinians Killed" - Los Angeles Times
"Israel-Gaza Strip Violence Escalates as Sides Exchange Blame" - Bloomberg
"Israel Targets Hamas in Gaza Strikes" - CNN
It's not news until Israel hits back and the media can say, "Now, now, children, stop playing so rough, I'm sure there's blame on both sides." Because, you know, unprovoked attacks on school children are exactly equivalent to trying to take out Hamas leaders who are shelling you.
Mar '11
Re: Hamas Attacks Israeli School Bus; 13-Year-Old Critically Injured
I confess to being concerned about May: the flotilla is expected then, and the Third Intifada people were calling for Israel to be overrun and conquered by "all Muslims" in May. And Hamas is shooting anti-tank missiles at Israeli school buses, clearly confident that they can crank things up with us. This does not augur well. · Apr 7 at 11:09pm
It seems to me that, to coin a phrase, now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of our beleaguered friends. Suggestions?