Rules? of Engagement?

Greetings, esteemed readers of the DovBear blog.

I was kindly asked by DovBear to share some of my thoughts on this blog during his absence. Please allow me to introduce myself -- I'm Jameel from the Muqata, blogging at you (now) from Jerusalem.

Right now in Israel the drama of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad (ben Aviva) Shalit is unfolding as the IDF is poised to re-enter Gaza. Palestinians are continuing to lob rockets at Southern Israel, and there is an additional unconfirmed report of yet another Israeli kidnapped by terrorists in the West Bank.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is pressuring Israel to avoid using military force and would much rather this situation is calmed and resolved using diplomatic means.

"There really needs to be an effort now to try and calm the situation, not to let the situation escalate and to give diplomacy a chance to work to try to get this release" YNetnews

If Israel were dealing with a country or a population that adhered to the Geneva convention, then perhaps there could be room for diplomacy.

It's worthwhile noting that today's Maariv newspaper reveals that the 2 IDF soldiers killed in the Sunday morning attack were not killed in battle, but were first wounded, removed from their tank and then shot at point blank range. (The source is in Hebrew, sorry there's no English link)

It would be nice for Rice to stop lecturing Israel how to defend it's soldiers and citizens, and let us get on with the job at hand, however best Israel sees fit.

Wherever I may be, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael.