Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Report: Hamas Morale Collapsing, Terrorists Flee IDF
breitbart.com ^ | 7/25/14 | Joel Pollack

Posted on 07/25/2014 8:40:58 AM PDT by cotton1706

In an otherwise excellent article on the Hamas terror tunnel network in Gaza, the Jerusalem Post buries the lede. An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier in the field told the Post that while Hamas fighters offered fierce resistance when the ground operation began, now Hamas operatives are fleeing, abandoning their positions, leaving behind weapons and other material that the IDF is using to expand its assault on the terror group.

The source added that in recent days, a recognizable wave of demoralization has washed over Hamas's combat battalions. "They simply escape, leaving behind weapons and suicide bomb vests that were laid out for battle. This morning we stormed a position, and they just weren't there. I don't see a determined enemy. We have encountered stronger pockets of fighting in the past. But now, I would not give them a high grade for fighting spirit."

Using further eyewitness reports, the article describes how Hamas has integrated the tunnel network into the civilian infrastructure of Gaza, constructing entrances in homes and even mosques. "I have not entered one civilian home that did not have weapons, suicide belts, or booby traps in it," the source told the Post, stressing the lengths to which the IDF goes to protect innocent civilians caught in the crossfire, regardless.

The reports of a collapse in Hamas fighters' morale lends credence to other reports that Hamas leaders were considering a temporary truce suggested by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. The organization has insisted in the past on making a ceasefire conditional on the removal of the international blockade of Gaza, which exists to prevent Hamas from importing weapons and materials to build its terror network even further than it has.

(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cowardlyhamas; gaza; hamas; hamasunderchildren; hamasunderhospitals; israel
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-67 last
To: cotton1706

The Arabic translation for “ceasefire” is “Reload”.


61 posted on 07/25/2014 6:39:57 PM PDT by Oatka (This is America. Assimilate or evaporate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cotton1706

Ironic that it seems to describe Obama and his gaggle of goblins too.


62 posted on 07/25/2014 7:26:10 PM PDT by DungeonMaster (No one can come to me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PIF
You speak of the Muslim world (actually, extremists within it, it's certainly not monolithic) acting in terms of barbaric absolutism, and then you advocate that the West use the same monstrous tactics?

If that ever were to happen, then "the West" would have descended down to the savage, animal way of thinking which you attribute to the extremist Muslim world.

In other words, if that happened, the West would no longer be the West. It would become an unrecognizable perversion of something which no longer exists.

Part of being a member of Western humanity means being humane, even merciful. Such characteristics are what separate us from the animals we oppose. If you're saying the only solution is to destroy ourselves by becoming that which we hate, then maybe a more "classical" destruction of the West is to be preferred. At least then, in losing, we would still be what we are as we meet our end.

I do tend to agree with you regarding the import of this conflict. It's not something which can be overlooked, swept aside, or dealt with cursorily. I am absolutely convinced that if the Muslim world does not purge itself of these extremist elements from within, then the solution will finally be imposed from the outside. And that means their obliteration, a destruction as complete as that which the Nazis ultimately experienced.

And yet, there are still Germans in the world, despite the horrendous ideology which they for a time embraced. Germans have rejected Nazism, but they certainly still embrace the murderous abomination called socialism, to whatever degree.

I believe that a similar process will take place within the Muslim world, since the only alternative will be their annihilation. Eventually, whatever elements of Islam which are not obliterated will become "watered down" to the point that they are more compatible with civil world society.

Thus, I don't believe that we should be hysterically advocating genocidal executions of all fighting age Palestinian males, for instance. Not only is the sentiment patently un-Christian, but it will only serve to drive more moderate elements into the arms of extremists, and that only makes them stronger and our task more difficult.

Moderate, civilized Muslims do exist: just go down to your local convenience store for an example. These people want to live their lives in peace, and otherwise be left alone, just like you and I do.

Just as it will always be legal to own a copy of Mein Kampf, it will always be legal to own a copy of the Koran, and thus there will always be some who follow its teachings to whatever extent.

In summary, I don't believe that the Western (Christian, if you will) solution to the Islamic extremism problem will ever take such an absolutist form, because if it did, we would be no better than our enemies, and would indeed become indistinguishable from that which we hated. And that is not victory.

I can't help but think that, somehow, some way, Christ will lead us down a different path, perhaps one which we can't see yet. But if we go down the savage absolutist path, it will not be Christ who leads us.

Who knows, maybe He will return in time to preempt such a crisis?

Regardless, once that particular problem is solved, we will still have this annoying totalitarian Marxism thing to deal with in the (ostensibly) civilized world.

And, IMHO, that problem is ultimately going to make Islamic extremism pale in comparison.

Have a nice day.

63 posted on 07/25/2014 10:05:31 PM PDT by sargon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: sargon

To one of your points: “I am absolutely convinced that if the Muslim world does not purge itself of these extremist elements from within.”

Islam cannot be reformed. This is a major Western misconception - thinking Islam is like some version of an Arabic Christianity. Any attempt to reform is heretical and the parties making the attempt oblige all other Muslims to kill them - thus spoke Muhammad.

You also seem to be overlooking the fact that the West fought two very brutal wars and yet somehow remained the West; moreover that somehow fighting a third brutal war will somehow change the West.

So-called “Kinder, gentler” wars fought by one party against a brutal enemy will always be lost.

I think you just fundamentally misunderstand the nature of both Islam and war - which, BTW, are synonymous within Islam.


64 posted on 07/26/2014 2:48:23 AM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: PIF
You also seem to be overlooking the fact that the West fought two very brutal wars and yet somehow remained the West;

I'm not overlooking that fact at all. My point is that during neither of those two "very brutal" wars did the West round up all males of fighting age and perform mass executions.

My initial response on this thread was in opposition to the advocacy of just such a tactic.

Thus I maintain my conviction that not doing such things is how we will remain "the West" and continue to occupy the high moral ground.

Anger causes men to do horrendous things, and no side in any war is immune to that impulse. But it should be resisted.

65 posted on 07/26/2014 2:56:34 PM PDT by sargon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: sargon

” Thus I maintain my conviction that not doing such things is how we will remain “the West” and continue to occupy the high moral ground.”

Go ahead and occupy your lofty high moral ground, but when they come for you, there may not be any one left to defend you.

As I said you do not understand war, just moral arguments for and against. Which amounts to a hill of beans when someone is about to cut your head off.

You will get the same choices now offered Christians in Mosul, Iraq: convert, pay Jizya (tax amounting to everything you own), or get your head cut off (thereby vacating the high moral ground, but anointing it with your life’s blood). Of course, the female members of your family will be raped while you are forced to watch, then it will be your turn to be raped.

Like so many liberals, you will have stood on principle, feel good about yourself, but will perish none the less in a war you do not and apparently cannot understand.

In the end, you and others like you will have failed to recognize the nature of war, cause too many to die needlessly. Like our Hero, J. Kerry, screaming at the deaths of too many Muslims, while crippling those who would defeat them. This stupid idea that there is a high moral ground in war is what has caused us to lose so many men in Iraq and Afghanistan, while prolonging the war far beyond what was necessary. Same for Korea and Nam.

Take your high moral ground and ...


66 posted on 07/26/2014 4:42:10 PM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: PIF
As I said you do not understand war, just moral arguments for and against.

Nonsense. It is you who don't understand the difference between war and outright murder. Engaging in the one does not justify the other.

If an enemy combatant surrenders, you're not supposed to just execute them. And you're certainly not justified in dragging unarmed humans out of houses and performing summary executions just because they are a male of a certain age.

So, once again, pardon me for not endorsing simple, straightforward, brazen murder.

And I hope you'll also pardon PM Netanyahu, the Israeli army, and the rest of the civilized world as well for not practicing such brilliant "tactics".

67 posted on 07/26/2014 4:54:57 PM PDT by sargon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-67 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson