Earlier today reports began springing up that the IDF had cut Gaza in half. Now, according to the BBC, the IDF is in the process of moving 40 tanks south towards Khan Younis. Aerial bombardments in the area have also picked up. Meanwhile, European diplomats are engaging in an emergency effort to get both sides to agree to a 48 hour humanitarian truce after the United States blocked a second UN ceasefire resolution.
In an interview today, Israeli President Shimon Peres claimed that Israel’s goal is not to occupy Gaza nor “crush Hamas”, but to “crush terror”. He went on to say that “Hamas needs a real and serious lesson and they are now getting it” – which is interesting because the Israelis, among many others, consider Hamas a terrorist organization. Thus, wouldn’t “crushing Hamas” be the same thing as “crushing terror” given that view?
Rather odd.