Israel Launches Surprise Attack Against Hamas Security Forces in Gaza

Israeli fighter-bombers and combat helicopters strike dozens of targets inside Gaza starting shortly after local dawn. Guardian UK reporting 120 dead. Other accounts as high as 180, with over 300 wounded. Video shows that large high explosive bombs were used by the Israelis, and witness report massive explosions. Witnesses say that Gaza’s police chief is among the dead.

Most were Hamas security and police forces, but many were also civilians, including children. Gaza hospitals are overwhelmed with the casualties. Israel has announced that it’s intent is to destroy Hamas, and called for Arab Palestinians to reject Hamas. Inside Gaza the belief is that Israel, Egypt, and the US are trying to destroy Hamas, which is the de facto government of Gaza. Peres stated that there would be no "invasion" of Gaza, , but left open military incursions.

The strikes were expected for Sunday, but were done a day earlier to increase casualties, in what is now clearly the first step to escalation of the conflict. The bulk of the casualties occurred when Israeli jets struck a graduation at the Hamas headquarters.

Britain has expressed "concern," while the US State Department urged "avoiding civilian casualties. Given how crowded Gaza is, it is effectively a city of one million people, this is like trying to strike at the Boston Police Department without causing civilian fatalities. Jordan has called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League, which is expected by Monday. The EU has called for a cease fire. Egypt opened it’s border with Gaza.

Israel has expressly said that "any Hamas" is a target, including political leadership, opening the way for assassination. This, coupled with the intentional deception through diplomatic channels spells the end of any negotiated settlement until there has been a military outcome.

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