U.S. Says Israel Has 'Right to Defend Itself' as Assault on Gaza Begins
The United States is closely watching developments in Gaza following the killing Wednesday of Hamas' military chief in an Israeli air strike, a Pentagon spokesman said.
"We're monitoring the situation closely. We stand by our Israeli partners in their right to defend themselves against terrorism," Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Warren said.
Ahmad Jabbari, the head of Hamas' military wing, was killed when his car was struck in Gaza City in an Israeli air strike. His bodyguard was wounded.
The Israeli military said Jabbari's elimination marked the start of a military operation against armed groups in Gaza.
Hamas' military wing vowed to retaliate, warning that the killing had "opened the gates of Hell."
President Barack Obama's national security adviser, Tom Donilon, met Monday with his Israeli counterpart, Yaakov Amidror, at the White House at a time when Israeli authorities were considering a military response to a flareup of violence along the border with the Palestinian territory.
14 November 2012, 19:17
01
This attack occurs 2 weeks before abou mazen goes to the UN, how clever Israel is.... Here again we'll get the confirmation that Hamas (like Hizballah) work hand in hand with the zionists should they retaliate BEFORE Mahmoud Abbas goes to the UN and does a big, major, thing for the Palestinians.
14 November 2012, 19:41
00
What is the connection between the actions of Abu Mazen in the West Bank, and those of the Hamas terrorists in Gaza?
Abu Mazen by going to the UN will only bring more suffering on the Palestinians in the West Bank, just as Hamas firing missiles from Gaza will only cause more misery for the people of that area.
There is no connection between the two events.
15 November 2012, 06:17
00
I agree with General Jabbour. The Western world doesn't see the difference between Gaza or the West Bank... or more broadly between 'barbaric' Arabs. So it does make sense, why should the rest of the nations support Abbas' bid for a Palestinian State which includes Gaza.
14 November 2012, 20:15
10
Is there anybody besides Mowaten and a couple of new voices today who comments here who does not work for "Israel"? It's like politics and the news industry in the US. The recent Presidential race was between the "Israel" lobby and the "Israel" lobby. I think, though you might say the "Israel" lobby had to win, that with such an attitude of contempt for public opinion the "Israel" lobby was fated to lose.
