Tom on the Middle East

 The truth about the explosion of the Gazan hospital this past Tuesday was certainly the result of a missile that was launched by a militant group called the Islaic Jihad toward Israel.  The problem here is twofold.  The first problem is that these rockets employed in assaults are primitive devices; many constructed in underground factories by unskilled workmen or supplied by Iran and are of similar quality.  They have a failure rate of nearly 40%, which basically means that 40% of them fall from the sky before reaching their target.  In this case, the projectile failed shortly after takeoff and was fully fueled and when it crashed, it covered the courtyard of the hospital courtyard where many had sought refuge.  The conclusion is supported by extensive evidence including from satellites and signals intelligence.

A good number of Palestinians want nothing to do with Hamas or the other militant groups operating within the enclave.  Hamas wants to hide behind the civilian population of Gaza.  But Hamas has the guns.

The entire struggle between Israel and the Palestinians goes back to the birth of the State of Israel in 1948, and really has its roots in the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire in the wake of WWI.  It's a fiendishly complex story with a cast of characters that represents the best and the worst of humanity.  I've been following this story for almost 60 years now and there's always something new.  Bibi Netenyahu is a toxic creature

who cares more about staying out of prison than doing anything useful for the Israeli people.