This is a special report from life in the cities and villages near the terrorist infested Gaza Strip, during the recent escalation of rocket attacks, or rather, the continuing war against our civilian population.
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The effectiveness of Israel's intelligence services was once again displayed this month, when the head of the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza, Zuhair Qaisi was targeted from the air and killed in his car. The Gaza terrorists launched a greater barrage of rockets at southern Israel’s population centers. [Editor's note, in the weeks preceeding the Zuhair Qaisi incident, rocket attacks had increased.]
It was the first major outbreak since Operation Cast Lead which took place from December 27, 2008 to January 18, 2009 during which Israeli forces conducted a ground operation in Gaza. This time, Israel exercised great restraint.
I feel that only the complete destruction of every building connected with the terrorist organizations operating from Gaza, including the elimination of all known terrorists, will ensure that the civilian population of Gaza are able to speak their mind without fear of punishment or murder and act according to their own free will.
On the day that Egypt brokered a cease fire, fragile as ever and already broken, I travelled to the area with a group of journalists from all over the world, to hear from the people on the ground exactly what happened and how they feel. On the day that Egypt brokered a cease fire, fragile as ever and already broken, I travelled to the area with a group of journalists from all over the world, to hear from the people on the ground exactly what happened and how they feel. At the emergency headquarters of the Ashdod municipality, two floors below ground, we heard in translation from Arieh Yitach, a retired army colonel, now the head of
Several miles further south in Ashkelon we heard from Roni Mahatzri, the mayor since 1991. We also visited a private home in Ashkelon, where a large family of English speaking immigrants related their feelings.
The last location we visited was Kibbutz Nir Oz, four kilometers from the Gaza border, where I stood in the two spots where the most recent rockets exploded. One spot was just outside a kindergarden. The rocket hit just an hour before the children arrived in the morning. One of my journalistic colleagues asked this rather strange question: Will you live here for the next 20 or 30 years with this kind of abuse? Is that enough to keep you want to live here?
Walter Bingham travels all over Israel and the international Jewish world to bring you in-depth reports in his exciting magazine style program. Topics range from cultural and entertainment events and social problems to major political interviews and statements recorded live as they happen. He holds up a mirror at Jewish life and paints pictures in sound. His many famous guests have included Alan Dershowitz, Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks, Charles Krauthammer, John Bolton, German film star Iris Berben, Jewish community heads of many countries, singing and entertainment stars Dudu Fisher, Yaffa Yarkoni, Theodor Bikel, David D'Or as well as many politicians, political commentators and academics. Walter's World broadcast airs live every Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Israel time on Israel National Radio.
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