Monday, May 6, 2019

Israel, Continue the Targeted Killings!


After three days and 700 rockets later, I couldn’t say this any plainer, KILL all the leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, ASAP!

Keep cutting off the heads of the snakes. Don’t worry if they grow new heads, cut them off too, if they grow back. In any case, it will disrupt their operational capacity. Keep KILLING their leaders and operatives, until they’re frightened to death, and no one volunteers for the job anymore.

Targeted killings, assassinating the terrorist leadership in Gaza, worked well in the Sharon era. Take a look at my article, “Happy Yassin Day,” from that period. An Israeli AH-64 Apache sent then Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin and his wheel chair, to find his 72 year old virgin, down under. Then another Israeli Apache got Abdel Aziz Rantisi, Yassin’s replacement. And, they weren’t the only ones Israel sent to early retirement, at the time.

But, after a minimal IDF response, Netanyahu chose to accept a cease fire instead. He promised, “The campaign isn’t finished, and it will require patience and careful judgment. We’re prepared for its continuation.” I certainly hope so.

Even Benny Gantz, from the losing Blue and White party, during the recent election campaign, threatened that the leaders of the Palestinian terror group should remember that Israel assassinated one of its most senior officials during the Gaza conflict of 2012, and was capable of doing the same again. “The heads of Hamas have forgotten what happened to Ahmed Jabari – their chief of staff. They will get a personal reminder if they continue targeting our population, as will all terrorists.”

Gantz lost the election. The Israeli public chose Netanyahu to lead instead, thinking he would be tougher and better able to maintain security and safety (one of the only purposes of government), for the Israeli public.

“The reality in the south, as we unfortunately saw today, where Israeli children spend their nights in bomb shelters, while the heads of Hamas celebrate must end now – and it will,” Gantz told a conference during the election campaign.

Well nothing has changed, and that should still be Israel’s goal. Better that Hamas people learn by heart all their funeral prayers, than songs of joy. Islamic Jihad should load up on mourning meals instead of handing out sweets in the street, celebrating.

Let’s force King Solomon’s sage advice onto terror leaders in Gaza, “It’s better to go to a House of Mourning than to a Party...’ (Ecclesiastes 7:2).

And while they are mourning, giving speeches of support and encouragement, to carry out the next atrocity against Israeli civilians, and burying their dead; Israel should also bomb, strafe, and disperse those political rally terror supporting funerals, as I’ve called for since 2003. See my article, “The Call of the Israeli Apache.”

During the latest round of Gazan rocket attacks on Israel, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed 23, including nine people identified as Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists. Israel killed exactly one top leader. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed that Hamad Ahmad Al-Khudari of Hamas’ military wing had been eliminated by targeted assassination. Adding that Al-Khudari was responsible for the transfer of funds from Iran to Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza. But he’s small fry, now fish fillet.

Israel needs to take down their political leadership too. Ismail Haniyeh, and his ilk have GOT TO GO.

During the conflict, in desperation, MK Ofir Sofer (Union of Right-wing Parties) said, “The reactions that Israel has taken so far are only a kind of Tylenol; the State of Israel must preserve its initiative and not let Hamas dictate the pace. The Israeli response should be asymmetrical and disproportionate so that the terror organizations will feel the bitter taste well and over time. There’s no choice but to enter on the ground and initiate a long-term military action, and the sooner the better. The fighting in Gaza must be decided.”

I strongly disagree, its not yet time for a full ground liberation…

Israel has not yet exhausted by far, its superior air-power advantage. Why risk any more Israeli lives? Taking out terrorists, their leadership, and supporters, without concern for collateral damage, is the way to go. Continue the campaign of targeted killings, why stop after gaining the momentum?

Its time to take the gloves off, and really unleash the Israeli Air Force. Bring back the one-ton bombs. Its also time to introduce the modern equivalent of the Gatling gun, the M61 Vulcan, GAU-8/A Avenger, or The GAU-12/U Equalizer.

Its time to continue the targeted killings!
 
Ariel Natan Pasko, an independent analyst and consultant, has a Master's Degree specializing in International Relations, Political Economy & Policy Analysis. His articles appear regularly on numerous news/views and think-tank websites and in newspapers. His latest articles can also be read on his archive: The Think Tank by Ariel Natan Pasko.
(c) 2019/5779 Pasko