(New York Times) Ethan Bronner - In Gaza, official talk of resistance and rejection is standard. "I would rather die a martyr like my son than shake the hand of my enemy," Yusef Mansi, the Hamas minister of public works and housing, said in an interview, responding to a question about reconciliation with Israel. Since September there have been 20 to 30 rockets and mortar shells shot monthly into Israel, double the rate for the first part of the year. Although most seem to be the work of groups other than Hamas, Israel argues that Hamas is in charge and will be held responsible. "In the last two months there has been a shift, which means that from now on unless we start doing something different, the deterrence will go down," an Israeli military commander said. "Hamas has gained a lot of military capabilities in the last two years."
2010-12-17 08:35:06Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive