As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Bruce, NH — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:42:30 GMT

The Palestinians may call it "collective punishment", but really it is just a political message, and a very clear one at that. The people of Gaza need to reject Hamas as a government if they want to be a part of the world at large. Actions have always had consequences, and the consequence of Gazans passively accepting Hamas as their government is what they are experiencing. They have a way out if they have the guts to take it. If they don't then they should stop complaining because they have accepted their fate through inaction.

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Rob, Chicago Illinois — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:43:48 GMT

Once again, its all Israel's fault. Would you allow your borders to be open with an entity that violently seeks your destruction? This piece also leaves out the convenient fact that Egypt built a wall on its border with gaza because they do not want Hamas infiltrating its border either. Yet another one sided piece of reporting from MSNBC. Isn't it Hamas' fault that it is making the lives of its citizens miserable? Haven't they roamed around Gaza executing opponents, closing internet cafes, imposing unwanted sharia law on Gazans? The palestinians voted for Hamas in its election. This is the consequence of their actions. Why donesn't the world hold Hamas and Gazans accountable for anything they do, say, endorse, or vote for?

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Marc, Santa Barbara, CA — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:57:53 GMT

Again, great job MSNBC for a one sided article on the topic of the Gaza Strip. Two paragraphs are supposed to make this an appropriate article? How about doing a blog of what life in Sderot or Ashkelon is like? As a strong pro-Israeli American, I feel extremely bad for Gazans but at some point they have to stand up to Hamas and blame them and force them to change. If Hamas wants to be internationally recognized by the West as a political organization, then it must be held accountable. When is Hamas planning on, at the very least, acknowledging Israel's right to exist? When is Hamas planning on holding free and fair elections with U.N. observers? Until Hamas does those 2 things, then the West should treat Hamas exactly as what it is: a terrorist group. Stop referring to when Hamas agents die as "militants," they are terrorists.

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Ben Small — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:19:06 GMT

It seems to me pretty clear when a terrorist group is overwhelmingly voted in as Hamas and then also forces out the more moderate group that Gaza has become an Islamic Terrorist entity. If it regularly fires rockets randomly at Israeli cities it is absolutley expected that Israel do what it can to eliminate this terrorist threat, just as the US did in Afghanistan. There is no one to blame but the terrorists and those that brought them to power.

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Michael Rosenberg — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:22:11 GMT

The Palestinians must exit their cycle of self-pity. They blame Hamas for being oppressive and totalitarian but 70% of Palestinians voted for them. If they are unhappy with Hamas's leadership, they must vote them out of power. If Hamas will not allow elections or refuses to leave office, I am sure that the US and Israel and Fatah would help train and supply a force to overthrow them. But this must come from the Palestinians. They must choose their future. If they choose a future of peace, living side-by-side with Israel in a symbiotic relationship with no bombings or terrorist attacks, Israel will have no reason to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on smart bombs or security walls or a seige that hurts Israel also. I am not saying that Israel will be willing to give the Palestinians everything that they are asking for; the negotiations will be difficult and compromises will be necessary on both sides. But the choice between war and peace is in the hands of the Palestinians. If they want peace, they are going to have to fight for it; they are going to have to get rid of Hamas who have stated over and over again that they will never have more than a temporary truce with Israel. Your article claims that Hamas's totalitarian ways show that the West was wrong not to deal with them; I believe it shows the opposite; the Palestinians were wrong to vote for them (no matter how corrupt Fatah might have been at the time). In fact, regardless of Israel's actions, Hamas will continue to rule harshly suppressing any opposition. Hamas will be as harsh on Palestinians as it is on Israel; this is the nature of totalitarian regimes.

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Toni Bourlon, Warr Acres, OK — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:22:18 GMT

"Palestinian militants have been bombarding southern Israel with rockets and mortars for years, but the attacks have grown in strength and frequency since Hamas took over Gaza. According to an Israeli rights group B’Tselem, more than 360 Palestinians have died this year in Israeli attacks – over a third of them civilians and children."

And how many Israelis have died in these attacks? I think zero. Proof positive that Hamas doesn't give a damn about the Palestinians. May Hamas rot in hell.

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Stu, Los Angeles, CA — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:24:11 GMT

How can anyone reasonable ask the Israeli's to open up supply lines to Hamas/Gaza (one in the same), when they continue open aggressive TERRORISM against Israel? What other country in the WORLD would be expected to SUPPORT another country or group that's openly HOSTILE towards it!?!?!?

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

John — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:24:21 GMT

Hamas was democratically elected by the palestinians in Gaza under a platform of destroying Israel and kicking out the rest of the palestinian authority.

I love how after spending a whole article about the suffering of the poor palestinians, there's half a word at the end about the missles, and nothing about the suicide bombings that Israel is trying to prevent. There's nothing on how the palestinians regularly attack and kill the Israelis working in the depots that supply them food and gas.

When palestinians say "End the occupation" they don't mean 1967. They mean 1948 and the fact that there are jews living in the holy land. When all jews are out, the occupation will end. Anything else is a temporary solution.

But don't let MSNBC actually present both sides of the conflict.

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Al Redlhammer — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:27:13 GMT

It has been said (many times) that the "Palestinians never lose and opportunity to lose an opportunity ." The ongoing rocket attacks do more damage to thos in Gaza than to Israelis. if effect, they are "shooting themselves in the foot" politically. We now have three generations of Palestinians that know nothing except rebellion, war, killing, hate and more hate. How can one break this cycle ?

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Richard, Los Angeles — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:29:57 GMT

Israel is purposely trying to starve the Palestinians into submission. Also the article neglects to state that Hamas is usually reacting to Israeli war crimes, not randomly firing rockets without reason.

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Bobby Pierce, San Diego — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:35:18 GMT

"the militant group that rejects the Jewish state’s right to exist"
How can you negotiate a truce against that? Good luck Israelis. Good luck Palestinians. Maybe someday you'll both realize that holy land is still just land. Any God worth worshiping would understand wanting peace and freedom rather than land.

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

HANK, LAREDO — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:36:01 GMT

AS HAMAS’ POWER GROWS, LIFE FOR GAZANS WORSENS

THAT WOULD PROBABLY TEACH MOST PEOPLE THAT IT WAS THE WRONG DECISON TO ELECT HAMAS, AND THAT A MORE COOPERATIVE APPROACH TO GET ON WITH LIFE FOR PERSONAL LIFE IMPROVEMENT AS WELL THE FUTURES OF YOUR FAMILY AND BUDDING NEW NATION......BUT WITH THE PALESTINIANS, DON'T COUNT ON IT!

THE STATS SHOW THAT THE PALESTINIANS ARE ALREADY, 90% OF THEM, LIVING ON HAND OUTS.....THAT IN ITS SELF SHOULD WAKE UP THE PEOPLE TO TRY SOMETHING ELSE, BUT I BET THERE WILL BE STEPPED UP ROCKET AND MORTAR ATTACKS, WHICH WILL BE FOLLWED BY AN ISREALI INCURSION, WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY CRIES FROM THE PALESTINIANS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS.

OLD SONG, THE STORY REMAINS THE SAME, NO MATTER HOW YOU TRY TO EXPLAIN THAT IT MATTERS NOT WHAT SORT OF NAME YOU CALL THE WINNERS OF THESE SCURMISHES, THE ONLY THING THAT SHOULD MATTER TO THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE THAT THE TACK THAT IS AND HAS BEEN TRIED ISN'T WORKING AND AT LEAST A SURVIVAL TRAIT SHOULD LEAD THEM TO CHANGE....BUT NO WAY WILL THEY!

WHICH LEADS ME TO MY CONCLUSION THAT THE MIDDLE EASTERN PEOPLE MAY BE, AS A SPECIFIC GENOTYPE, INSISTING ON EXTINCTION.

PRESENTLY HUMANS HAVE A BATTLE CRY THAT LEADS US TWARD A PUSH FOR THE NATURAL, SPECIFICALLY MAKING CENTAIN ANIMAL GROUPS AND THEIR TERRITORIES OFF LIMITS AND EITHER REDUCING OR ELIMINATING THE HUNTING OF SAID CREATURES. ALL WEEL AND GOOD AND EXPLAINED TO BE ALONG THE LINES OF NATURE.

THE MIDDLE EASTERN PEOPLE AS WELL AS MANY AFRICAN PEOPLE ARE ANOTHER APPROACH.

SINCE MANY OF THESE PEOPLE ARE ON A NEVER ENDING CYCLE OF AID AND HAVE BEEN FOR GENERATIONS, THEY AND WE ARE COMPLICITE IN GOING AGAINST NATURES WILL.

WHEN A TRIBE OF PEOPLE IS CONTINUALLY UNABLE TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES AND ARE CONSTANTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF FAMINE, NATURES REACTION IS TO REFUSE THE ABILITY TO REPRODUCE, HOWEVER YOUR BUTTING IN TO THE EXTENT WE DO AND IN THE WAYS WE DO ONLY MAKES MATTERS WORSE.....MEANING WITH OUR FOOD AND NO REASON TO HAVE TO WORK TO SUPPLY FOOD, THE RECIPIANTS ARE FREE(PLENTY OF TIME) TO FIND ENTERTAINMENT IN SEX AND THE REUSLT IS A BIGGER POPULATION OF UNPRODUCING BEGGERS!

NOT REALLY THE INTENDED RESULT THAT THE WELL WISHERS WERE HOPING FOR.

THE QUESTION THAT VEXES ME IS: AT WHAT POINT IS HELPING HARMING?

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

John O'Brien, Atlanta Georgia — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:40:47 GMT

Hamas indiscriminately fires rockets into Israel, and the world says nothing. When Israel retaliates, the world blames Israel. Hamas militants meld into the civilian population. Israel should not distinguish. For every rocket fired into Israel, Isreal should bomb Gaza, regarless of who is killed. Let the world complain, but Hamas will not captulate unless they are totally wiped out, or their civilian population rises against them.

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

allen S, chicago, IL — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:04:09 GMT

""Smart weapons usually hit specified targets," said Younis, referring to when Israel specifically use airstrikes to attack militants. "But, the closure and collective punishment (of Gaza) is a stupid and blind weapon that harms every person, and every part of life in Gaza.""

Okay, well if the blockade is a stupid weapon, what are suicide bombings? rather than simply stunting the economic growth of those people, suicide bombings were killing people.

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Mycroft Brown, New York, NY — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:06:15 GMT

Well, when you live in a terrorist state, don't abide by the laws of the land and try to defeat your obviously more powerful and technologically advanced neighbor, you're simply asking for a hard time.

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

charles New York — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:09:25 GMT

People are dying in Gaza because Hamas uses residentail area's to stage attacks. Isreal does not just carpet bomb gaza. their targeted strikes kill Civilians because that is where Hamas Hides

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Sara Brook, New York, New York — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:09:59 GMT

Of course everything is Israel's fault, aside for the fact that the Palestinians free willingly voted Hamas into power. Only when the Palestinian people begin to stand up for themseleves and stop blamaing everyone else around them, will they be able to pull themselves out of the misery they are in.

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

David Richmand, MD — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:10:41 GMT

Hamas is responsible for the closure of the Gaza. Israel gave up the Gaza volutarily. It is Hamas that has promised the destruction of Israel and attacks with missles, mortars and suicide strikes on a daily basis. Many Gazans had jobs in Israel prior to these attacks. Israel still provides food, medicine, fuel and healthcare to the people of Gaza. Would the Palestinians do the same for anyone else. Would anyone else provide the same aid while under attack. Israelis risk their own lives by bring aid to crossings which Hamas continues to attack. I doubt that the US would do the same under these circumstances? Why do you not have a picture of a home or school destroyed in Siderot?

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

steve,beachwood,oh — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:11:48 GMT

If Hamas stopped sending rockets fill with ball bearings into Israel then things would be better....

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Gil Baker Houston,Texas — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:15:17 GMT

When Israel unilaterally withdrew from the Gaza strip and uprooted all of the Israeli residents, it was hoped that the empty homes and businesses would be taken over by the Arab residents and it would be an example of what a future Arab state would look like. Unfortunately, the green houses (that Israel used to grow summer crops in the winter and export to Europe were destroyed by the Arab hordes and the remaining homes likewise were leveled) Probably a valid forecast of what another Arab state would look like in the Middle East.

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

patriot, midwest, US — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:15:21 GMT

Boy the palestinians sure shot themselves in the foot voting in hamas. What did they think would happen voting in terrorists? Stupid stupid stupid..

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Carmelo, Brooklyn, NY — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:18:34 GMT

regardless of Israel pull out of Gaza is still under occupation. Until the occupation end Palestinians resistance will continue and rightly so

As Hamas’ power grows, life for Gazans worsens

Chris Jones — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:18:35 GMT

The last paragraph of this sums it up. Both parties are to blaim and when that is the case, neither is ever going to back down until the other is extinct. Fortunately for Israel, they will out last Hamas in the long run