
Annons

Annons

Joe Catron: It's always difficult to speculate about motives, but I think the Netanyahu government is attempting to assert its regional dominance in response to a number of simultaneous challenges: the UN statehood bid, the loss by US presidential candidate Mitt Romney – who Netanyahu all but publicly backed – growing ties between the elected governments in Gaza and states across the Middle East, an apparent defeat of its drive for war against Iran and new military capabilities demonstrated by adversaries like Hezbollah.
Annons
Yes, air strikes have been ongoing continuously throughout the Gaza Strip since this afternoon. There have been dozens already, resulting in at least nine Palestinian deaths, including two young children.
Have there been any explosions near you?
Yes. This afternoon, I heard an explosion that I learned minutes later was Israel's assassination of al-Qassem Brigade's chief of staff Ahmed al-Jabari. I've also seen, heard and – in some cases – felt dozens of bombings since then.There are rumours of a ground invasion, do you think that will happen and what would Israel's objective be if they sent in troops?
It's impossible to say at this point. I think Israel will obviously seek to minimise its own casualties and a protracted ground offensive would certainly work against its interests in that regard.What are the targets of these subsequent air strikes?
Israel will, of course, claim that it's targeting military assets of the Palestinian resistance. Whether this is true or not, its concern for civilian casualties is obviously minimal. It's worth noting that the immediate exchange of hostilities began with Israel's killing of three Palestinian children playing football on two separate occasions.Are they trying to eliminate the command and control structure of Hamas?
That's its public claim, yeah. As I said earlier, I suspect its true motives are varied.
Annons

Yes, along with other resistance factions. You can see Hamas' most recent actions on its Twitter.

Foreign activists in Gaza are heartened by news of demonstrations against Israel's ongoing attacks in Amsterdam, Chicago, Dublin, London, Montreal, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Washington DC and elsewhere in the world. We hope supporters of Palestinian freedom will continue to mobilise for international law and human rights.Are you going to stay in Gaza or try to evacuate?
Everyone I know will stay here.Well, good luck Joe and keep your head down.Follow Henry on Twitter: @Henry_Langston and Joe Catron for regular updates on the conflcit in Gaza: @jncatron.Photos by Anne Paq.An (Alleged) Interview with Ismail Haniyeh, the Leader of HamasThe Asshole Israeli Army Bulldozed My FarmPalestine Has a New Generation of Pissed Off KidsWatch - Crime and Punishment in the Gaza Strip
