On a cheerful note, my Mom was just as thrilled as I was by my secret santa gifts. She also pointed out you gave me a shawl, which is way more awesome than a scarf. It kept my head warm for the 40 degrees fahrenheit walk to my car tonight. Mom is probably the biggest fan of the buffistas who doesn't actually read the board. She's even asked me to ask the hivemind for advice on occasion.

"At least" the government is saying that they don't plan to bring in infantry into the Strip. I guess they have learned something.

I wouldn't be so worried if not for my mom. She's really concerned. It's usually the opposite.

Edit: Glad you and your mom love the gifts.

calm ~ma for you and your mom. I wish I could think of something comforting or helpful to say. I can think of a lot of lame & hollow shit but I keep deleting it.

IDF are saying the first wave ended, more to come. Palestinians reports on 8 casualties and dozens of wounded.

And thanks, Laga. I know it's very hard to say something that sounds "right" in those situations.

That's why my people developed arsenals of dark humor. But it's too soon for that now.

Edit: Hamas reports at least 40 casualties. Jihad (sp?) mumbles something about war. I'm heavy into Mark Lanegan and Wilco at the moment, with firm plans to bake some cookies for a friend's indie label night tonight, finish some volunteering work, read another chapter in my history book and ignore the radio reports that I can hear from time to time between songs from the other room. Escalation? What escalation?

Jesus Christ. Hamas now says it's over 120 casualties and 200 woundeds.

Please. Not another war. Not now.

yuck it sounds awful

Hamas now reports over 140 casualties and calling its people to launch rockets to "places that weren't attacked before".

I might change my wish to "if war, let it be just on one front, OK?".

Update: rockets started being launched from the Strip. PM Office says "IDF had been directed to prevent launches for the long term". Funny how everyone gave up the idea of talking. That's the only long term solution I can think of. I don't wanna say anything about war, because we have been in similar situations that weren't wars per se, but it doesn't look good. My sis called to say she's fine, but she doesn't have time to talk.

Update #2: Dead and wounded on the Israeli sides as well. The pictures from the Strip look horrendous.

Any point keeping updating?

{{{{{{Shir}}}}}}} and {{{{{{Shir's Family}}}}}}}

Oh, honey. You and yours will very much be in my thoughts.

Palestinian sources: 154 dead. Over 270 wounded. Thousands are panicked.
Over here: nonstop shooting, one dead, few woundeds. Thousands are within shelters. Demonstrations against Israeli aggression began within Israel. The moment they'll become demonstrations against violence on both sides, I'm there, but for now, it's hypocrisy and ignoring the last 8 years on the Israeli side with nonstop shooting. Egypt: layered its border with Gaza with machine guns, in case Palestinians tries to escape there.

My place: trying to understand wtf my sis won't wear flak jacket, I'm having divine hyssop cookies, and waiting for the muffins I've baked to come out of the oven. I can't believe how little this attack actually has to do with my plans tonight.

Oh, wait. I almost forgot to tell: they called this operation "cast(ed?) lead". It's taken from a Hanukkah song. I'm gobsmacked.