Israel and the Gaza Blockade

Telegraph: Reports the following on the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, " ..talks will begin to address Hamas's demand that Israel's blockade of Gaza be lifted. ".

Lets Get Real:

This is will NOT happen folks, the Israeli Cabinet with a WAR with Iran on the horizon can not afford for Tehran to re- supply its ally Hamas with longer missiles, the Israeli Intelligence service Mossad will be looking for Egypt to enforce a strict military blockade of Gaza.   The US and the West has made a long term mistake with Hamas, its is undercutting the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.  Hamas is a terrorist group that has close links to Iran, its ONE objective is to destroy Israel, this is not Northern Ireland folks, you can not deal with these people, they seen any weakness by the West as a victory for their terror tactics, they will push again and Israel will have to take action, that is the nature of the Middle East folks, weakness get you killed, go ask Gaddafi what happens when you are seen as weak and loser, a bayonet in not a nice place.   The West and even Israel might regret not taking out Hamas in the long term, but Iran has to be the main target at the moment. 

Gaza Ceasefire - Middle East

BBC News: Reports that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is holding so far after the ceasefire agreement. 

Lets Get Real:

This is temporary deal folks, Hamas have taking a beating, their leaders wanted a deal as not to get killed by Israeli strikes, while Israel got what it wanted, no more rocket attacks from Gaza for a time, the operating world is TIME folks.   This deal with breakdown in a few weeks or months, the question from a strategic point is can Israel use that time to get ready for a strike on its major enemy Iran.   This deal is a blow for Iran, it had a hopped that a Israeli ground war in Gaza would lessen the chance of an Israeli strike on Tehran, thus expect Tehran to rearm Hamas with longer missiles that can hit further in to Israel, this will move will be a try to counter any Israeli strike on Iran.   The game is not over folks, it never ends. 

Obama and the Gaza Ceasefire - Middle East

The White House: Here are the readouts of the telephone chats between POTUS and PM Netanyahu of Israel and President Morsi of Egypt.  To Israeli PM the Oval stated the following, " President Obama spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu today and reiterated his commitment to Israel’s security.

 

The President made clear that no country can be expected to tolerate rocket attacks against civilians.

 

The President expressed his appreciation for the Prime Minister’s efforts to work with the new Egyptian government to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and a more durable solution to this problem.

 

The President commended the Prime Minister for agreeing to the Egyptian ceasefire proposal – which the President recommended the Prime Minster do – while reiterating that Israel maintains the right to defend itself.

 

The President said that the United States would use the opportunity offered by a ceasefire to intensify efforts to help Israel address its security needs, especially the issue of the smuggling of weapons and explosives into Gaza.

 

The President said that he was committed to seeking additional funding for Iron Dome and other US-Israel missile defense programs. ".  Thus POTUS placed pressure on Israel to take the ceasefire, in this case it was the right move, the Israeli people do not support getting sucked in to ground war in Gaza, it would be bloody and the World Community would not support such an over reaction from their point of view, its Iran that Israel has to worry about.   That is the next major crisis folks. 

On Egypt, the Oval stated the following, " President Obama spoke to President Morsi today. The President thanked President Morsi for his efforts to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and for his personal leadership in negotiating a ceasefire proposal.  President Morsi expressed appreciation for President Obama’s efforts in this regard. 

President Obama and President Morsi agreed on the importance of working toward a more durable solution to the situation in Gaza.

President Obama reaffirmed the close partnership between the United States and Egypt, and welcomed President Morsi's commitment to regional security.  ".  Lets recall POTUS of late would not call Egypt an ally, this is a test for the new Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, can they keep Hamas under control, prevent the ceasefire breaking down in a few months and the US and Israel pointing the finger at Egypt.   This blog is not holding its breath folks, this will not last, they never do in the Middle East. 

Obama and the Gaza Crisis

The White House: Has a readout of President Obama's telephone chats with the President Morsi of Egypt & PM Netanyahu of Israel.   POTUS stated the following, "  ..President Obama called President Morsi of Egypt. The two leaders discussed ways to de-escalate the situation in Gaza, and President Obama underscored the necessity of Hamas ending rocket fire into Israel. President Obama also offered condolences for the terrible loss of life in the recent train accident in Egypt. President Obama then called Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel, and received an update on the situation in Gaza and Israel. In both calls, President Obama expressed regret for the loss of Israeli and Palestinian civilian lives, and agreed to stay in close touch with both leaders. ".

Lets Get Real: 

It shows how powerless the US is with Obama in the Oval, in many ways the Oval is a bystander, in the old days the US Secretary of State would have been on the plane, trying to calm matters, now the Oval is under attack from two fronts, the Republicans think that the Oval did a spin job on the Libyan terrorists attack, and the US is facing a financial cliff, thus in essence the Oval is impotent, Israel does not trust the Oval, with reason, while the Muslim Brotherhood is in charge in Egypt.  They have to play to the Arab Street.   The Days of Empire have gone folks. 

West Bank NEXT ? = Middle East

Telegraph Live - ME: Reports in its 6.14pm the following, " worrying reports over expanded protests in the West Bank, with hundreds of Palestinian protesters clashing with security forces .. "..

Lets Get Real:

This blog would not be surprised to find out later that Iran has had some part in the present crisis in Gaza and the developing troubles in the West Bank.   Also expect the Syrian crisis to warm up, the Tehran Regime needs to divert Israel and the West from its nuclear plans, what better way that for Israel to face conflicts on its borders.   Thus for Israel think big picture, your strategic interests, do not get sucked in to a ground War in Gaza or react to a stray rockets from Syria. 

The Israeli Paradox, Gaza or Iran

Guardian Live - ME: Reports that the Israeli Cabinet is going in to a meeting to discuss the next step with its on going strikes of Gaza. 

Lets Get Real: 

If the Israeli Cabinet can get a temporary ceasefire it should go for it, it has to think BIG PICTURE, the main threat to Israel is a nuclear armed Iran, any future War has to be between Israel and Iran.   The Israeli Cabinet should make sure it does not blow Western support with a ground game in Gaza, it is a loser, the elite media will say its over kill over images of women and children being buried.   Yes folks the objective is subjective these days.  If Egypt can get a deal with Hamas in Gaza to stop the firing of rockets then Israel should limit its actions in Gaza.   If Hamas breaks it word to Egypt, it will be down to Egypt to show that they get the fact that they have been lied too, works for Israel.    Lets see what happens folks, Israel can not tolerate constant rocket attacks, it has to end one way or another. 

Modern Warfare and Tweets

BBC News Live - ME: Has reports through tweets from both sides of the conflict in the Middle East.

Lets Get Real:

Even in the I.T 21st Century it seems odd to have tweets from the two sides in the conflict, can one see World War 1 or 2 Generals getting their mobile out to tweet on their last action, it seems its not real in less its on the Web in some form.    It would be simpler if conflicts could be decided by how many followers you had, the winner of the conflict would be the one the one with the most followers or re - tweets.     Ever since World War One the conflict has been open to the sides to create an impression for the international community, but has to say that it was the first Gulf War that created a Media War, seeing strikes up close and personnel, in real time, who can not recall the bombing of Iraq during the 1st Gulf War and the excellent coverage of CNN, those were the days for CNN.     Its a pity the sides could not have virtual War, blood and death but no real deaths, the best gamer wins, laugh now folks, but you never know what is around the corner.