"it seems that the Israeli occupation is seeking escalation. We fired mortars only at army positions; we did not hurt civilians like Israel has." There is no army position in the kibbutz which underwent mortar attack from Gaza; Kibbutz Nitzanim, I believe it was. There is no army position in the open area outside the city of Ashkelon which was attacked by a Qassam rocket, either. Nor are there army positions in the areas shelled within the Sha'ar Ha'Negev Regional Council. Israel killed terrorists. Next time, don't fire rockets and mortars from populated areas -- of course, that would mean no women and children to hide behind -- oh dear! I guess Hamas will have to rethink its entire military strategy.

The ugly fact that keeps the war machines going is that Hamas refuses to accept the peace process. The killings will continue because Hamas leaders repeatedly declare that they will "never" (quote intended) make peace with Israel. Unlike Fatah, Hamas' stated goal is the destruction of Israel. Fatah's goals are also suspect, but for now Fatah leaders publicly say they want the two-state solution. However, Fatah refuses to negotiate for peace, and that means more deaths. Stop the bloodshed! The world must demand that the Palestinians return unconditionally to the negotiating table. If the Palestinians avoid negotiating by complaining about the settlements, then Israel is justified in refusing to negotiate so long as Palestinians keep shooting bombs at our civilians - the result will be war, not peace, and it is clearly the Palestinians who do not want peace.

Despite the usual bluster. Apparently, they have no interest in upping the ante too high.

First of all they were 5 and second of all they weren't terrorist they included CHILDREN that were playing football Israel is a country of cowards

how did Israel make sure that there has been no civilians behind terrorists in densely populated area.

You're not too observant, I think. Hamas is *famous* for using children as shields. This is despicable. Who's cowardly?

would YOU let your own kids play football next to hammas or islamic jihad crew firing the rockets towards Israel? and why would these crew would be firing the rockets at Israel from the football field full of kids? now be honest and answer my question...would YOU? c'mon be a man and admit that this camel crap doesnt fly here...

It is the Hamas cowards who fire missiles first at Israel, and then hide in populated areas. If you like, you can have gaza as part of Egypt, maybe then you can teach them about democracy.

if you don't believe that statement, just ask the Israelis. Frankly, a pox on both their tribes... hopefully, it's herpes.

PLease, the whole world knows that you and your Hamas heros hide behind women and children all the time. We have seen it countless times all over the Arab and Muslim world. You are the definition of cowardice! The IDF will always go after terror regardless of age! remember that before you send little children to do your dirty terror work!

Really? As opposed to what? Egypt's "bravery" in attacking Israel on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar? (Of course we kicked your sorry asses, anyway, and landed troops on the West Bank of the Suez Canal.) Or perhaps you think the massacre of four innocent Israelis (including one heavily pregnant woman) by Hamas constitutes bravery; is that it? Better still -- I suppose you think that massacring five sleeping people in their beds -- including three children; one of them four months old -- constitutes an act of "bravery" by the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade, is that right? If that is what you are saying, then you are no better than the terrorist scum who perpetrated those wanton acts of terror. Israel RETALIATED. It did not initiate the aggression. There is a very simple solution available to all terrorists who target Israelis: STOP. No rockets; no mortars -- no Israeli response. It really is all that simple.

It is not Israel's job to make sure that there are no civilians behind terrorists in densely populated areas. If the terrorists wish to attack Israel, they should not do so from behind the skirts of women or children. There are plenty of unpopulated areas in Gaza, yet Hamas and all the other terrorists seem to prefer to launch their attacks using women and children as human shields. Why is that? I can only surmise that it is the terrorists who are so cowardly, they hide behind their women and children. How despicable .... and how predictable!

Israel was so rapid to correct its mistake in the earlier attack. Israel shouldn't be so rapid in regretting kids' murder. NATO is busy in Libya and Israel is so rapid in making use of the opportunity to kill a couple kids and to injure a dozen.

A Hamas official said in response: "Israel won't feel secure as long at the Palestinian people don't feel secure." I love the way Hamas turns everything upside down. They attack Israel and pretend that Israel is the aggressor. Sadly there are plenty who believe them.

7 years of firing bombs towards Israel and its population? do not deny to the fact that the terrorists fire from a crowded area every time and they become very happy when a small arab kid is killed, when Israel fires back.

why do they keep on doing it ,they know israel will retaliate , so why ?

- Noodles: agree! Are Nathan's frankfurters kosher? Plse info! - Sarah: in my opinion, suicidal-Hamas' gremlins are unable to T H I N K! Kind rgds.

your people are: hiding behind women and children is not a sign of heroism. Yet I am not surprised: your people kill children on buses and infants in their sleep. Very brave...

coward terrorists are not ashamed to hide behind children and women, Israel will disregard the civilians inorder to get the terrorists. This will eventually convince terrorists that hiding behind women is no longer safe.

Palestinian have tried destroying Israel. Palestinian shot 56 criminal missils targetting civilians. Israel retaliated in self defense. Palestinian claims for international protection because they did not succeed destroying Israel. It sound like the only people needed international protection is Israel.

Hamas asked UNSC to protect Gaza in the same way that they protect Lybia. So Hamas can bomb Israel kill Jewish, etc. This is a joke

If Gaza has nothing like they say, how can they posses guns, good clothes and air conditioners that need a lot of energy? I doubt you can see this kind of things in many really poor places around the world.

The United States, on the other, treats Al Qaeda operatives with kid gloves, is that right? You know ... water boarding .... sleep deprivation ... withholding food and water .... forcing prisoners to stand up for hours at a time .... A pox on YOUR tribe -- hopefully, small ...

LOL! That would explain why their "military strategy" is limited to "dead babies = good photo opportunity." Nathan's original frankfurters are not kosher, but they have come out with a kosher line, too. I haven't tried them yet; I'm strictly a Hebrew National fan (I do keep kosher)!

TO MASRAWI, THE CAMEL JOCKEY, AND THE REST OF YOUR LIKES; IF YOU POKE YOUR HAND AT A BEEHIVE, DON'T CRY THEY BIT ME .