More headlines on the current conflict...

Once again, no surprises. It seems that the world looks the other way whenever Hamas or the PA attacks Israel and then retreats to hide among their own people (making it difficult to weed them out). But as soon as Israel defends herself the vocal critics find a stage.

UN condemns 'disproportionate' Israeli airstrikes in Gaza:

Mr Ban said he condemned excessive use of force which resulted in the killing and injuring of civilians.

The Security Council called for the restoration of calm to "open the way for finding a political solution to the problems existing in the context of the Palestinian-Israeli settlement".

The White House statement is notably more astute:

The White House however, put the main responsiblity for the violence on the Hamas government in Gaza.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the US strongly condemned the repeated rocket attacks against Israel, and held Hamas responsible for breaking the ceasefire, which she said should be restored immediately.

The problem is that the UN han't got any solutions, and either has anyone else for that matter.

This includes JAVIER SOLANA who always seems to find voice at times such as this, yet lacks any answers:

'The current Israeli strikes are inflicting an unacceptable toll on Palestinian civilians and will only worsen the humanitarian crisis as well as complicate the search for a peaceful solution,' EU High Representative Javier Solana said in a statement.

'I call for an immediate cessation of military actions on both sides. The EU has repeatedly condemned rocket attacks against Israel,' the statement said.

Solana's comment came hours after the French government, which holds the EU's rotating presidency until the end of the year, condemned a series of rocket attacks on Israel launched from the Gaza Strip as an 'unjustifiable provocation' and the Israeli response as 'disproportionate.'

Déjà vu? It seems like only yesterday that the "powers" that be were striving to force the division of Jerusalem.

Thanks to Lori for the following news items:

Israel tanks mass near Gaza as jets again pound Hamas

IDF Releases Photos of Hamas Targets, Terror Training Facilities

IAF Destroys 40 Tunnels in 270 Seconds

IAF Warplanes Seen Flying Over Lebanon

Iranian Red Crescent vessel heads to Gaza

Syria, Turkey Break Off Talks with Israel Because of Gaza Op.

Pray for the inoccent Palestinians caught up in this war and pray for Israel.