Israel Pounds Gaza

Israel has decided it's time for a change of government in Gaza:

GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli warplanes and combat helicopters pounded the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing at least 155 people in the bloodiest day for Palestinians in more than 20 years of conflict.

Militants in the Gaza Strip responded with rocket salvoes that killed one Israeli man and wounded several others. Both sides said they were prepared to launch wider attacks.

Black smoke billowed over Gaza City, where the dead and wounded lay scattered on the ground after more than 30 air strikes destroyed Palestinian security compounds, including two where Hamas was hosting graduation ceremonies for new recruits.

The Israeli army said it had targeted "terrorist infrastructure" following days of rocket attacks from Gaza on southern Israel that caused some damage but few injuries.

The rocket attacks increased pressure on Israeli political leaders to act as a February 10 election approaches.

U.S. President George Bush's administration, in its last weeks in office, called on Hamas to halt cross-border rocket attacks and urged Israel to avoid civilian casualties but stopped short of calling for an end to the air strikes.

The Israeli army pledged more strikes if necessary, possibly targeting Hamas leaders.

Hamas and others of their ilk lob hundreds of rockets into Israeli territory and then act shocked when the Israelis finally have enough and fight back. Giving up control of Gaza was a huge mistake for Israel since there doesn't seem to be anybody in that god-forsaken strip of land with the ability to govern those people in a way that would allow them to get along with the Israelis.

Anybody who thinks Israel can negotiate a peaceful settlement with those barbarians is a fool.

UPDATE: Do you think the term "barbarians" is a little strong? Consider this from Don Surber:

Caroline Glick of the Jerusalem Post reported: “On Tuesday, Hamas legislators marked the Christmas season by passing a Shari’a criminal code for the Palestinian Authority. Among other things, it legalizes crucifixion.’’

And the Palestinians take another giant leap backwards.