Hamas resumed its firing of multiple rockets, aimed for Israeli population centers, immediately at the end of the 72 hour ceasefire Friday morning, Israel was willing to extend the ceasefire indefinitely, but Hamas refused. Indeed, Hamas's military wing signaled its intention to go back on the warpath with its threat that, unless Israel acceded to its demands, Hamas would launch new rockets with larger warheads and thousands of Israelis would die.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson issued a mealy-mouthed statement expressing "deep disappointment that the parties were unable to agree to an extension of the ceasefire in their talks in Cairo." While condemning "the renewed rocket fire towards Israel," there is not one mention of Hamas in the statement as the culpable party, let alone holding Hamas responsible for war crimes in aiming its rockets not just "towards Israel," but deliberately towards Israeli civilians. Instead, the statement called on both parties "not to resort to further military action."
The Secretary General's statement is, as usual, too little too late. Israel's citizens are once again under attack. Israel has no choice but to firmly respond.
In his letter to the UN Security Council, Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor called upon the Security Council and the Secretary General to wake up and assign the blame for the fighting where it belongs - Hamas:
“By breaking the cease-fire this morning, Hamas has proven once again that it has no regard for the wellbeing of the Palestinian people. Hamas must be held responsible – for preventing humanitarian relief from reaching the people of Gaza and for using its own people as pawns and human shields.
Israel is committed to ending the current round of violence, but will not negotiate while its citizens are subject to ongoing attacks from the land, air, and sea. It is time for the United Nations and its agencies to finally place the blame where it belongs – on Hamas."
