As Expected, Israel Retaliates

In today's New York Times article, misleadingly if accurately entitled "Israeli Attack Kills Scores Across Gaza," we learn

The Israeli Air Force on Saturday launched a massive attack on Hamas targets throughout Gaza in retaliation for the recent heavy rocket fire from the area, hitting mostly security headquarters, training compounds and weapons storage facilities, the Israeli military and witnesses said.

On the downside: The Israeli attack "came in mid-morning, when official buildings and security compounds were filled with personnel and children were at school, and not, as many had anticipated, at night." On the upside: The Israeli attack was expected and understandable, coming "after days of warnings by Israeli officials that Israel would retaliate for intense rocket and mortar fire against Israeli towns and villages by Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza." Consequently, most of the leaders of Hamas "had already been in hiding for two days" but there were some (regrettable) deaths of Palestinian citizens who, unsurprisingly, were not offered the same assistance by the (Sarcasm Alert) brave and compassionate terrorists running Gaza.

A white House spokesman, Gordon Johndroe, noted "Hamas's continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop. Hamas must end its terrorist activities if it wishes to play a role in the future of the Palestinian people." The United States urges Israel to avoid civilian casualties as it targets Hamas in Gaza." Just the right balance on the part of the U.S. government. So far, so good.