Letters
Gaza incursion
06 July 2006
Dear Sir
Jonathan Steele is wrong to suggest that Israel’s bombardment is purely a response to the kidnapping of a soldier. Since the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, Palestinian extremists have kept up a relentless missile bombardment of Israeli villages over the border, causing multiple casualties and damage. The kidnapping of Corporal Shalit was the last straw for Israel, not the raison d’etre of its action. Of course, Israel must balance the need for military operations with avoiding civilian casualties and over the next few weeks, they will be sorely tested. But the country is engaged in a war it did not start and which it does not want.
Yours sincerely
Jeremy Havardi
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