the dogs of war will cry

No one can say Hamas was not warned that by continuing to launch rocket attacks at Israeli civilians in their homes and on their way to work and school or in their synagogues that one day Israeli patience and restraint would just flat run out. Apparently, it now has – Toronto Star:

GAZA CITY–Israeli warplanes retaliating for rocket fire from the Gaza Strip pounded dozens of security compounds across the Hamas-ruled territory in unprecedented waves of air strikes Saturday, killing at least 155 and wounding more than 310 in the single bloodiest day of fighting in recent memory.

The vast majority of those killed were security men, but civilians were also among the dead. Hamas said all of its security installations were hit and responded with several medium-range Grad rockets at Israel, reaching deeper than in the past.

The Gaza Strip death toll will only continue to rise as the day continues but this is the price to be paid as long as Hamas continues to launch attacks against Israeli civilians. No doubt the professional Palestinians apologistas will come out in full force decrying the disproportionate use of force by the Israelis, but you know, when you reap the whirlwind of war this is what you sow. Besides, it is long past the time for the international community to stop juvenilizing the Palestinians and start treating them as adults who are responsible not only for their actions but their rhetoric. Jerusalem Post:

Despite the massive casualties, Hamas remained defiant, vowing revenge and calling on all other Palestinian factions to join in the fight.

"Today we are stronger then we've ever been," one spokesperson for the group said at a press conference. "We won't raise the white flag, we won't give anything up, we won't retreat."

We can start by acknowledging Hamas has clearly set not only the rules but the terms of engagement, and henceforth, there is only one viable ending. Although, I expect the Israeli and international community will waffle from doing all that is needed to be done and in six months, a year, a year and a half, this same scenario will be played out again.