Mission Accomplished?

Finally Israel declared the objectives of its invasion of the Palestinian “A” territories. To arrest the ones who killed Minster Zeivi, to kill Palestinian “terrorists, to arrest as many as they can, to prevent “terrorists” from moving into Israel and kill innocent people, and to stop the shooting at “Israeli neighborhoods”. They clearly announced that they have no intention to fight against the Palestinian Authority.

Let me first introduce you to the Palestinian “terrorists” in Bethlehem that Israel managed to eliminate October 16 through October 24.

Ahmad Abeiat 23, while leaving work for home, he was attacked by Israeli settlers and stabbed to death. Do not dare call this a lynch.

Miriam Suboh 38, a mother of four children from AlKhader village. Killed by a sniper bullet inside her home. Was in her kitchen preparing food “sorry a bomb” for her kids.

Johnny George Thaljiah 22, killed at the Nativity churchyard by an Israeli sniper. He thought Jesus would provide him a shelter. Apparently the sniper decided that the shelter should be in heaven not on earth.

Rania Elias Kharofah 22, a mother for two kids. Killed by an Israeli shell while heading to the grocery shop. ” as bombs are sold in grocery shops she might have been attempting to buy one”

Musa George Abu Aid 19, the only boy in the family. Killed by an Israeli sniper inside his home.

Issa Jalil el-Ali 55, a father of five kids. Killed by a sniper bullet while driving his car back home.

Yousif Aubiat 15, was killed in front of his home by a group of solders who showered him with bullets. Afterwards they claimed he attempted to stab one of them.

Atef 30, Jamal 35, and Issa Aubiat 30, are the three assassinated through planting a bomb in their car. They were activists in Fateh.

Muhammad Baraga 30, a deaf person who was shot dead by soldiers in front of his home because he could not hear their orders.

Abdulqader Abusrur 22, Nahid Aljojo 47, Issa Abuhlil 28, Nidal Elian 19, and Yousif Ayesh 33 are all part of the Palestinian Authority national security. The ones that Israel declared are not targeted by this operation.

Four of the victims are Christians and the rest are Moslems. As you can see the mission was successful and fulfilled its objectives. Those are the “terrorists” Israeli troops were set in a mission to exterminate.

We all still remember that after the last agreement in Beit Jala, Bethlehem was a quite area where ceasefire worked well. The three who were assassinated in the car bomb played a significant role in preserving the ceasefire. In fact after this military invasion of Bethlehem the settlement of Gilo is under fire every day. Second mission executed “successfully”

The five from the national security forces of the PA indicates that the declared intention not to attack the Palestinian authority was fulfilled???

The other major achievement of this military operation was the widespread destruction. 10 homes totally burned, dozens of cars were stepped at by the tanks, Paradise hotel was completely destroyed, two major many story commercial buildings were destroyed and partially burned, the maternity hospital of St. Joseph was partially destroyed and infants have to be evacuated under fire, the main hospital in Bethlehem was attacked many times, Ambulances were shot at, and hundreds of families are under a continued curfew with no supplies.

As you can see, mission was executed successfully in Bethlehem. When we witness all of this is there is still a need to define what terror is?

Ghassan Andoni is the executive director of the Palestinian Reproachment Centre in Beit Sahour, Palestine.