The left will do nothing.

If this is a smoke & mirrors media event, just cosmetic pin-pricks to shut up critics, then forget it. Olmert, Livni, & Barak cannot be trusted. Of course, the media will play along making a big deal over even the most minor action. If the job is not done right, then Hamas will emerge stronger than ever. They will say, ''Look, we're just like Hezbollah. We stood up to Israel & won.'' Our deterrence is already down the tubes. An ineffective campaign that does not severely damage Hamas is worse than doing nothing.

There will be a few minor military operations in Gaza. The media will play it up for all it's worth. It will sound like the Battle of Stalingrad. The Left will jump up & down with the usual crap about the ''cycle of violence'' - the international media will talk about ''collective punishment'' - the UN will condemn the ''genocide'' of Palestinians - Abbas & his useless Fatah thugs will threaten to stop the phoney negotiations - and , our friend, Egypt, will be very unhappy with us. Then, Barak will go to Egypt & announce a diplomatic break-through with Hamas to renew the BS truce & who knows what he'll promise Hamas. Olmert & Livni will approve of a new truce. A few days later, more Kassams. Anyone want to bet?

Gaza need immediate help and releif , immediate oprning of all crossings , release all prisoners, you tried the war since 60 yrs you killed the pals arrested them, destryed their houses and plants , spent billions for weapons and jails and walls.. It is the time to seek another methodolgy , learn from history , you are dealing with apeople who has fair and justice cause, ap-eople who was victim to the zionnist project , but fortunately never and surrndered !!!

This is very much a PR game as it is a security issue. It's vital that Palestinians in Gaza do not live in subhuman conditions. A simple idea: Cut all funds. Make water and electricity free. Paid for by the same frozen funds. Subsidise food. Cut electricity to all unnecessary institutions, banks etc. In fact an intelligent weapon would be an electro-magnetic pulse, to take out all electronic data in Gaza. This would include Hamas intelligence and communications. They're not barbarians throwing rocks, it's a sophisticated army, they use computers. Another simple idea. Choose several areas in Gaza and Sderot, and place cameras there with live feed to the internet. No media coverage, just raw footage. Then viewers can decide on their own what the conditions are like.

Sure, thinking is real tough action when up against real enemies. Meanwhile, looks good to really go against other Jews...right!

If I were an enemy, I sure would like to have you as my opponant. Your ideas are not very practical. I'll admit that this is very much a PR war but the answer to that is to destroy all communications out of Gaza & to deny entry to all journalists. Inevitably, there will still be some reports coming out but it can't be helped. You're just not ruthless enough to deal with this kind of situation. War is not a humanitarian project.

Due to their obvious deceitful, selfish, corrupt natures they have to appear tough now they see that the country has enough of their surrounder mentality and normal Israelis are flocking to the right-wing parites.

...that some "tough action" is needed in Gaza, if Sderot, Ashkelon and the rest of Dixie, Israael is going to be the "fun place to live" that Olmert, as "Kadima's Frontman" promised.. Well THAT did not take them too long. Picked right up on it, AFTER only two or more years of pretty much non-stop rocketry & mortar fire launched from the Hamas firebases in the former Jewish Gush Katif. (Neither Sun Tsu nor von Clauswitz had that in mind, I am sure) Well let me tell you Leroy, they are NOT going to let any sand grow under their tootsies. Not our Ehud and Ehud, the Security People. No how. No way. Nosiree. They are going to respond with an "iron fist", a "heavy hand", "strike at the head", "send a strongly worded note." and by the release of a crap load of more Pal prisoners.(accent on crap) That ought to do it. That'll show 'em. And a certain "Mossad Beauty" is not too totally chuffed with the actual meaning of the word: Calm. Or was that: Clam? And word on the street has it that the lovely Tzarina ha Tayut, Ruhama, is annoyed with all the bad PR what with shooting 'n stuff and people kvetching about getting killed and maimed and being ignored and what THAT is doing to her and her ministery's street cred. And if those "peace haters" of Likud get into power, ALL of the good work acomplished by Kadima-Labor will go down the hopper. Can I have an Oy here?

Barak says talks on Gaza operation unnecessary. I must say this is the first time the weasel said anything that makes sense. 1 unnecessary because the 3 stooges won't do anything 2 unnecessary because if they do we will be in a bigger mess than before

#1 bad idea, too many casualties #2 you're just provoking a response #4 Good point. If we go in we have to do it right. #5 Sadly I must agree with you. It doesn't change the fact that I would support a military operation. #6 You are dealing with a sympathetic people, with a fair and just cause after centuries of persecution. Yet it does not make sense to capitulate while your people bomb us and threaten our security. It would help you to understand if you looked at it from our perspective.

What exactly do you object to? My suggestion wasn't exclusive. This was in addition to a military operation. My point was that simply cutting water and electricity will achieve nothing. I would not be surprised if Hamas have a generator and a stockpile of water. So the only thing this will achieve is to hurt the people. It's not a questions of not being ruthless, rather not being stupid.

One of my morning jobs is to read letters on Ynet. I always look forward to yours, Terry. I know little about Israeli internal politics although I am a frequent visitor but from here I can only agree with you and think the sternest measures possible should be applied and to hell wih world opinion. They don't like the Jews anyway. Shut the borders, turn off all electricity, water and flow of money until they come to heal. Let Shalit go and stop firing missiles. The minute another missile comes across do the same again. HENRY, London

You are absolutely correct. I don't believe Israel even wants to launch a military operation in Gaza right now, partly because the methods it will be forced to use in any action (i.e. those designed to limit Palestinian civilian casualties - EVEN at the expense of our soldiers) will cause lots of Israeli casualties. Pressure from the media, the UN and organisations such as Peace Now, Amenesty International and....is there one yet called "Save the Palestinians but to hell with the Israelis" will limit what we really need to do. My opinion? ZERO tolerance to rocket fire: Target rocket launchers and Hamas terrorists WHEREVER they are. If they hide amongst civilians, that is extremely unfortunate and tragic, but as long as Israel does not deliberately target civilians, they are not breaking international law. Hamas - not Israel - would be responsible for the fate of the civilians they hide behind. At the end of the day, Israeli weakness will strengthen its enemies. We should be strong and pound the hell out of them every time a missile is fired.

Prisoner#16 Henry in London,uk Man, THAT is one HELL of a job. How much does it pay, do you get coffee(or tea) breaks in the morning and afternoon, and what other benes are included. Are they hiring? Please do not tell me the only opening is located in Gaza City, the nether orfice of the Universe.

It is interesting that they want to do something now before an election. Why not a long time ago?

Too many Politicians ...hundreds of them all pushing and shoving to be Prime Minister...too many cooks spoil this Broth.