Gaza Update #7.5

Welcome to another edition of updates on the War in Gaza.

Previous editions of the round up can be found below:1* 2 *3* 3.5* 4* 4.5* 5* 5.5* 6*6.5 *7

The long awaited ground invasion of Gaza has begun. Now we hope and pray for a quick operation in which there are minimal casualties and a speedy resolution. Still we are realistic about war. There will be lives lost on both sides.

But we believe that sometimes wars are both just and necessary and this is one of those moments. The IDF site stated that the goal of the invasion is:

The objective of this stage of the operation is to destroy the terrorist infrastructure of the Hamas in the precise area of operation, while taking control of some of rocket launching area used by the Hamas in order to greatly reduce the quantity of rockets fired at Israel and Israeli civilians.

One more comment. I make no bones about being Pro-Israel. I think that Israel like all countries should be criticized, but it must be balanced and fair. All too often that is missing and that is part of the reason some conversations immediately degenerate into mud slinging.

Also, I link to some news sources that I find questionable, but I like to try and see what people are saying on all sides. But I will not link to articles that are completely over the top, hate filled rants or screeds. So take it for what it is worth.

Now on to the news:

Here is a Vlog from Captain Benjamin Rutland:

CNN reports that ground troops have entered Gaza.
The New York Times asks Is the Real Target Hamas Rule?
Additional analysis from the Times can be found here.
Al-Jazeera provides an interview called Hamas in The Eyes of An Expert.
JPost wrote about more posturing by Hamas in ‘Gaza will become graveyard for troops’
Rabbi Daniel Gordis has a column that discusses the role of Jews who do not live in Israel In Perspective: Does Uncle Leonard have a say?
In Slate Rosner writes Can Israel Win the Gaza War?
YNET reports Europe Backs IDF Invasion.
Times Online shared Gaza Missile Maze.
Commentary Magazine Three Goals of The Ground Operation.
Haaretz Israel launches a ground operation in the Gaza Strip.
And now from the blogosphere:

Jameel and Aussie Dave are still liveblogging the conflict.

The IDF blog contains some very interesting statistics. Here is a quick snapshot:

• Today, over 950,000 Israelis live within range of rocket and mortar attacks.
• There have been approximately 7,200 rockets (Grads, Qassams) and mortars launched at Israel since 2005.
• Between Israel’s evacuation of Gaza and the election of Hamas (Aug. 15, 2005 – Jan. 25, 2006), there was an average of over 15 rocket and mortar attacks a month.
• Between Hamas’ election and Hamas’ forceful takeover of the Strip (Jan. 25, 2006 – June 14, 2007), there was an average of over 102 attacks per month—an over 650% increase.

From Yourish we have Updating the Gaza war.

Don’t forget to read Operation Cast Lead – Day 8 – Updates (UPDATE: Ground Operation Launched) and Confirmed: Hamas Wants To Use WMDs Against Israel, Trigger Full-Blown Regional War.

Harry’s Place discusses the ground invasion.

Shiloh Musings shared Day 8 in Netivot and shared a post about what it is like to seek shelter in a sewer pipe.

My Shrapnel discusses her feeling in Gaza.

Treppenwitz blogged about a prayer for our soldiers.

Allahpundit Israel invades Gaza; Update: “A lengthy operation”

Muslim World Today discussed Israel’s War on Terror.

If you haven’t read any of the reports about the protests you might be surprised and or sickened by what you see/read.

From Atlas Shrugs POLLER IN PARIS: PRO-HAMAS RALLY, “DEATH TO THE JEWS”and MORE MUSLIM MADNESS: RAMPAGING, ATTACKING BUSINESSES, ASSAULTING JEWS IN UK

Gateway Pundit said Bloody Riots in London… Pro-Hamas Protesters Attack Police At Israeli Embassy.

From Something Something The Choice of Israel.

Roger Simon Israel Alone.

Stay tuned for additional updates to this post throughout the day.