Hamas's Gaza Leader Declares "Victory" Over Israel

[Purveyor]

GAZA, Jan 18 (Reuters) - A Hamas leader said on Sunday Israel's three-week offensive in the Gaza Strip was a failure and had not cowed the Palestinians.

"The enemy has failed to achieve its goals," Ismail Haniyeh, the top Hamas leader in the territory, said in a speech broadcast on Hamas television. Though he called the war, in which more than 1,300 Gazans and 13 Israelis died, a "popular victory" for Palestinians, Haniyeh said Hamas's decision to declare a truce on Sunday was "wise and responsible".

REUTERS: http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSLI365776

[PerfectSage]

1. Hamas wins by surviving. The IDF failed to deliver a knockout blow.

:eyes:

[Andy823]

2. Isn't it amazing

How the "idiots" the are in charge of things can say such stupid stuff! I think they should put the idiots in Israel's leaders and the Hamas leaders on an island someplace and along with all the other idiots like Bush and let them all fight each other and save innocent people from dying over the egos of their leaders! More than 1,300 dead and he calls that a "popular victory"?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. It this is a victory, I would hate to see a defeat,. Its far from clear if Hamas will survive

- Infrastructure in tatters
- PA and Fatah waiting to move in as the IDF leaves
- Clandestine resupply tunnels damaged and destroyed
- Large numbers of refugees to feed and house
The only thing they can claim is that they are still shooting rockets. However every time they do counter battery fire comes raining down.

When the shooting ends and the UN and NGOs move in, Hamas will no longer be able to shoot those who disagree with it and prevent elections.

[Marrah_G]

4. No one won- everyone lost- the earth weeps