Boogieboy: "Their membership is not the issue, only what they were doing when killed." Glad you think so but in reality membership in an illegal organisation [International Law, PA Law, and Israeli Law] is a crime in of itself.
As if that were not bad enough, one of the dead men was, according to PIJ, the man in charge of all Grad launchings. Then, to top it all off, the vvan was carrying Grads! You need more of a reason?
It is debateable that the men in the van were terrorists? How so? PIJ is a terrorist organisation. PIJ claims the men were members of its ogranisation, including a very high ranking member. How then is it "debatable?"
"If they were terrorists, why didn't Israel subject them to some sort of legal process?" First of all, it always requests assistance via PA Security to either effect an arrest and prosecution. Guess how many times the PA has agreed? ZERO. Still, Israel obeys protocol and asks. Then, after this fails Israel examines whether or not the individual can be apprehended by Israeli authorities with minimal risk to both Israeli authorities AND innocent Arab bystanders. If this is not feasible, they try the individual in absentia. If the individual are judged guilty and sentenced to death, Israel carries out the sentence in the most efficient means possible.
By the way, what legal process do Arab militants subject Israelis to before sentencing them to collective torture and death?
Although my response to you contains no reference to the innocent people that were also regrettably killed in this operation, I certainly do mention them in other posts.
Ann: "Israel has not yet withdrawn to 1967 Borrders." No, but it offered that in 1993, Arabs refused it. They are not after 67 Borders. ALL 26 militant groups plainly and proudly state that their main reason for existence is to reclaim ALL of the land. Ergo, they aim for Israel's destruction.
"Israel is in contravention of UN Resolutions." No, it is not. There have been NO BINDING Resolutions passed against Israel, EVER. Non-binding resolutions are nothing but opinions.
If you suggest that Israel should obey non-binding Resolutions passed by enemy states when same states ignore the Resolution recognising Israel's "Right to Exist," you make no sense. Why would anyone listen to the OPINION of someone who claims that the first entity is non-existent? You say I don't exist , yet I am supposed to listen to your opinion even when it will harm me? The idea is ludicrous.
The US invaded because Hussein flaunted BINDING Resolutions. Big difference.
Israel was not created because of the Holocaust. It was not even created [primarily anyway] because of the 2000 years Jews have suffered in Exile. It was created simply because at that time the entire region was being broken into national entities and common sense dictated that since Arabs had 21 new states, why shouldn't the Jews have at least one?
England did not have very much to do with the creation of Israel. In fact, England fought against it tooth and nail. Yes. Balfour [both] was issued but at the same time the Crown was recognising Arab claims for much of the same land. Divide and conquer, soemthing Europeans do quite well. England did it in India, etc. The Mandate was no different.
You are confusing the State of Israel, with actions of individual Israelis. Of the cases you mention, only Mr. Hundall's death was a crime and it was committed by a deranged individual, not a state action or policy.
"Terrorising families playing on beaches." Maybe you missed the part about the car 1/8th of a mile away that was targeted because it contained a Qassam team? Maybe you missed the part about a large scale Israeli operation taking place in that exact location?
How are "Palestinians" being "dehumanised" and their "lives made worthless?"
Who is "denying the rights of the 'Palestinian' " to have an independant state? Israel has agreed since 1919. In fact, it has never refused. As I stated earlier it even offered all of E. Jerusalem, Gaza, and 97% of the "West Bank." "Palestinians" REFUSED!
Binkie: Israel does not have jurisdiction over local law enforcement in Gaza but DoES have ultimate security oversight, a as well as controlling air and sea space. To take militants into custody it utilises the IDF but only when risk is minimal to both groups. As a courtesy AND a safety measure, it asks the PA to obey its mandate and its own laws and apprehend such individuals. The PA has NEVER complied.
The problem then, is how will Israel effect justice? Ground operations, like the IDF taking them into ciustody are almost always going to fail and/or be very, very bloody because of the topography of Gaza and the culture within. Gaza is one of the most densely populated spots on the planet. In addition, the urbanised areas are a warren of maze like alleys, built without any kind of building code or planning so that it is a nightmare for land ops.
Then there is the added risk of militant Intel. The minute an Israeli force crosses into Gaza it is known to all relevant people in Gaza City and Rafah. Even undercover Israeli forces have a difficult time penetrating Gaza safely.