Thursday, July 17, 2014

IDF begins ground operation in Gaza Strip

Operation Protective Edge now in its tenth day has taken a new turn with a ground invasion of Gaza which intends to take out terror tunnels.The IDF forces that entered Gaza included combat engineers, field intelligence, tanks, and infantry. Since the beginning of Operation Protective Edge ,the IDF had hoped that a ground invasion would not happen but with two failed ceasefires due to missiles shot from Gaza by Hamas, this has become a last resort in thwarting terror activity in the Strip. Although this new phase of the operation will likely have casualties on both sides it seems to be the only solution at this point in the conflict.


So far it has been confirmed that at least 200 Palestinians have died since Operation Protective Edge began on July 8th. Many of the confirmed dead were civilians. Sadly this is a terrible outcome of war, as even the IDF diligently tried to minimize those effected by the strikes on terror outposts in the Gaza Strip by dropping leaflets, conducting phone calls to residents, as well as roof knocking (non harmful explosives that warn people to leave immediate area).


My heart goes out to the innocent people in the Gaza Strip who are caught up in this conflict, those living in extreme fear every day in Israel, and the IDF soldiers who are bravely attempting to destroy the terror tunnels. The real sadness of the situation is that an anti-semitic terrorist organization is not only hurting innocent Israelis but the people they claim to be working and speaking for.


I have no doubt in my heart that the Palestinians are suffering but we should take a moment to ask ourselves this question, "Is it really by the hands of the Israelis?"


LILY BUDER, 17, Mill Valley CA

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