With Peace Partners like this who needs enemies?

The Jerusalem Newswire Service has posted an online piece quoting Palestinian Authority Chairman Abbas claiming that kassam rocket attacks on Israel are strictly an Israeli problem.

Palestinian Authority “president” Mahmoud Abbas has called ongoing rocket fire from the Gaza Strip against nearby Jewish communities “Israel's problem,” and said he has no intention of interfering, according to a report in Ha'aretz.

“Let the Israelis deal with it,” Yasser Arafat's long-time right-hand man was quoted as saying. However, the PA is quick to cry foul and seek international condemnation of the Jewish state whenever Israel does attempt to deal with it.

At the same time, the PA's failure to meet its own peace obligations in terms of combating terror, and Abbas' repeated acknowledgment that that violation is intentional, is eliciting little more than words from the nations involved in the process to bring “peace” to the Middle East.

And so, Israel has officially launched Operation Blue Skies reports YnetOnline:

Operation 'Blue Skies' underway: IDF forces launch large-scale operation, firing artillery rounds against targets in the northern Gaza Strip and at areas close proximity to newly established ‘security strip’; Qassam lands near Sderot just one our before operation begins; no injuries reported

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, as planned, IDF forces launched a large-scale operation, firing artillery rounds against targets in the northern Gaza Strip and at the areas in close proximity to the newly established ‘security strip,’ which is aimed at distancing Qassam launchers from the border with Israel.

The Israel Air Force is also due to join the operation to clear north Gaza of those not engaged in terror activity. An hour before the operation commenced a Qassam rocket landed just south of Sderot in an open field. No injuries or damage were reported. The city’s “Red Dawn” alert system warned residents of the incoming rocket.

Earlier the army distributed leaflets to northern Gaza residents featuring a map indicating the limits of the buffer zone, which includes areas evacuated by Israel in the summer – the former settlements of Elei Sinai, Nissanit, and Dugit. Whoever ignores this warning is putting his life in genuine danger," the leaflet said. "Know that terror elements have turned you into hostages and a human shield and are undermining your interests."

Operation "Blue Skies" marks an IDF attempt to move into high gear when it comes to Qassam rocket attacks but to do so by offering a measured response and avoiding an escalation in the area. Army officials admitted the operation may reduce the number of rocket attacks on Israel but would not curb them completely. “The first phase is intended to create an area empty of citizens and all those who are not engaged in terror activity,” and IDF official told Ynet. “In this way, anyone who remains in the area is considered a terror suspect and therefore may be harmed.”

So much for the “disengagement from Gaza”.