“We can’t do anything (to hurt the Israelis) but fire the rockets and hope they enter Gaza,” he said. “We are praying for the tanks to come so we can show them new things. We have made many preparations for the coming battle and all of our fighters wait for the chance to kill them.”

That’s disturbing stuff, on it’s face as well as for what it implies. Hamas shot those rockets to provoke Israel. This commander admits that. They fired those rockets as a provocation only, not in response to any Israeli action. This directly supports the Israeli contention that the Israeli attack was in response to the rocket fire. Additionally, Hamas was hoping – praying – for an Israeli attack. They care not at all for the well-being of their own people. They knew there would be civilian casualties and did not care. And they certainly do not negotiate in good faith, nor did they have any desire to adhere by the terms of the cease fire. This quote is in direct conflict with Hamas’ claim that they fired the rockets in response to any Israeli action. Finally, this provides some evidentiary support for the Israeli claim that Hamas uses human shields.

From the words of a Hamas leader, as quoted by a source that Israel’s opponents will have a difficult time refuting.

Have a good day, and don’t forget that facts matter.

I got a security violation warning on the link for the Israel Statement on 1850..Never had that happen before. If you goggle un resolution 1850..the statement is the third one on the page.

US Deputy ambassador to the UN Alejandro Wolff explains his country’s position on Hamas in the Gaza conflict. An Israel first warning.

Video here..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/vid…..810241.stm

Israel’s statement on Resolution 1850 mentioned in the video here..
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Abou…..Mode=print

At the end of the statement it says that negotiations with the Palestinian Authority must take place with parallel and uncompromising efforts against Hamas rule in Gaza. Did we miss something? Did the UN Resolution 1850 just ‘call’ for civil war between Hamas and the Palestinian government as the prerequisite for negotiations with Israel?

http://www.chris-floyd.com/fallujah/#video

An anti war song by Cass Dillon and Billy Joel: lyrics on screen
Christmas in Fallujah (2007)

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=WNHF5p4bV_k

A commenter posted a link to a video which I received this afternoon. It is making the rounds and looks legit but I want to check it out before publishing it on FDL to verify as much as possible.

I also want to make sure that when/if we publish it, we do so with appropriate warnings as it is disturbing in a way that I believe our readers should be warned about.

As you know, I believe strongly that we must look at reality directly – but I also want to make sure that we do not casually present such materials without letting you know.

If you have any concerns about this delay in publishing this, feel free to email me at media dot firedoglake at gmail dot com.

~~~ModNote: Please notify commenters when presenting this type of very disturbing content. It’s also worth reading Siun’s comment below. Thank you.~~~