What the article does not mention is how the terorist have routinely used ambulances to transport missles, weapons and troops. They are operating in a war zone. Politics aside, where is the balance of what the Israelis go through transporting their wounded under missle fire?

Some years ago, EMS magazine published an account by two fellows, I forget the names, frequent contributors to the publication, who rode along with israels Magen David Adom (Red Magen David, like Red Cross and Red Crescent). I no longer can find the link to the article and do wish it would be republished or re-posted. It was an excellent account of Israels ongoing efforts to safely transport citizens in crisis (Jewish, Islamic and Christian) to hospitals in Israel staffed by diverse medical professionals. They used to work closely with the Palesstinian Red Crescent, setting them up with the first ambulances and training, the article said. It also described hair-raising attacks, including a kid with a backpack which went off, killing the kid and the medic who stopped him. It is too bad that UN ambulances have been commandeered to serve as vehicles of death and destruction, causing major delays and security checks. It is too bad the international community is blaming the victim for trying defend itself. The article neglected to mention that the high proportion of Palestinian deaths is directly due to the use of civilians, including kids, as shields. All Hamas has to do is stop trying to destroy its neighbor (that is their stated goal) and life could be pretty darn good for all.

Glad we have the chance to respond to this article.
The war did not begin on Dec 27.----
Israel has swallowed the Quassam attacks on its civilians for years-
finally the anger and protest of the Israeli citizens could no longer be ignored by the Israeli government.
I support the prior comments-- If the Muslims just let their Jewish neighbors LIVE --all this would end!
Hamas is famous for targeting us - the EMS community- when they employ secondary explosions. EEEVILL!

I am totally disgusted by some comments here. I have been to the Gaza Strip multiple times, most recently with the Free Gaza Movement in August-September 2008. What the Israeli apologists wont tell you is that Israel has been murdering 100 Palestinians for every one Israeli killed in this conflict during the past 2 years. Until the most recent Israeli attack on Dec. 27, no Israelis were killed by the Qassam missiles during the 6 months of the cease fire. During the past 8 years, only about 20 Israelis have been killed by Qassam missiles while thousands of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Many more Israelis have died on Israei roads in the past 8 years. You dont see Israel outlawing the automobile do you? The current blitzkrieg on Gaza by Israel has been in the planning stages for months, and the reasons for current Israeli atrocities cited by the Israeli government and parroted by American media are a complete ruse.