# Reuters- al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claims "chemical weapons launch" into Israel **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 29, 2006, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591 "2006-06-29T02:40:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/1 "2006-06-29T02:40:42Z")
[ > [@](#): > > The group had recently claimed to possess about 20 biological warheads for the makeshift rockets commonly fired from Gaza at Israeli towns. This was the first time the group had claimed firing such a rocket. > > “The al-Aqsa Brigades have fired one rocket with a chemical warhead” at southern Israel, Abu Qusai, a spokesman for the group, said in Gaza. > > An Israeli military spokeswoman said the army had not detected that any such rocket was fired, nor was there any report of such a weapon hitting Israel. ]([http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-06-29T013909Z\_01\_L29258645\_RTRUKOC\_0\_US-MIDEAST-ROCKET.xml](http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-06-29T013909Z_01_L29258645_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-ROCKET.xml)) Dammit. I might as well get my uniforms ready to go, because if this is true this is going to be a full-scale war. I don’t know what Israel’s policy is about WMDs, but if it’s modeled after ours and they did fire a chemical weapon there’s going to be one big explosion somewhere in Gaza sometime soon. For Christ’s sake, how did things go so bad so quickly? ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/2 "2006-06-29T02:45:31Z")
So quickly? This is only the latest assault on Jews. Having said that, this could be really, _really_ bad. ---
**Author:** ![nameless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/779978/32.png) [@nameless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nameless)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/3 "2006-06-29T02:48:59Z")
_Fuck._ ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/4 "2006-06-29T03:35:06Z")
> [@nameless](#): > > _Fuck._ My thoughts exactly. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/5 "2006-06-29T03:35:07Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > For Christ’s sake, how did things go so bad so quickly? Two words: Hamas. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/6 "2006-06-29T03:39:01Z")
Nothing will happen yet. But when the first verified chemical weapons attack happens… **Boom!** ---
**Author:** ![Malodorous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47774/32.png) [@Malodorous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malodorous)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/7 "2006-06-29T03:53:52Z")
Boom what? It’s not like Hamas has a chemical weapon factory pumping out hundreds of tons of Mustard Gas or anything. A few chemical shells fired by folks who don’t know what they’re doing will probably kill as many people as their conventional rockets do, usually zero, one if they’re lucky. Using chemical weapons might up the rhetoric and send a few more Israeli tanks into Gaza, but I doubt Israel will nuke Damascus over it. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/8 "2006-06-29T04:00:45Z")
Now these bastards are the kind of people that we should ensure that they become what they claim to be. Still, I would prefer capture and trial to show the world that indeed they deserve death or prison (denying them martyrdom drives those people nuts) So far the reports only mention that the militants affirm they did so, but there has been so far no confirmation from the supposed targets. I’m hoping that whoever said this was only bluffing, but bluff or not, they deserve what is coming to them. Frankly if confirmed, I would now angrily wonder why we spent all this time concentrated looking for WMD in the wrong places. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/9 "2006-06-29T04:06:56Z")
> [@Malodorous](#): > > Boom what? It’s not like Hamas has a chemical weapon factory pumping out hundreds of tons of Mustard Gas or anything. A few chemical shells fired by folks who don’t know what they’re doing will probably kill as many people as their conventional rockets do, usually zero, one if they’re lucky. Using chemical weapons might up the rhetoric and send a few more Israeli tanks into Gaza, but I doubt Israel will nuke Damascus over it. I agree. I think the chances of this ignited M.E. War I is small to zero. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/10 "2006-06-29T04:11:27Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Nothing will happen yet. But when the first verified chemical weapons attack happens… > **Boom!** Who do ya nuke for a terrorist attack? Exactly how close to your own territory do ya set off a nuke? I can see Israel kicking some serious ass over this, but using special weapons seems…unwise…in this circumstance. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/11 "2006-06-29T04:21:15Z")
I hope no one here is suggesting that any kind of retaliation against civilians in Gaza would be justified – especially not a _nuclear_ retaliation. That kind of over-developed sense of entitled vengence is (I think) the root of the problem on both sides there. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/12 "2006-06-29T04:35:33Z")
> [@Malodorous](#): > > Boom what? It’s not like Hamas has a chemical weapon factory pumping out hundreds of tons of Mustard Gas or anything. A few chemical shells fired by folks who don’t know what they’re doing will probably kill as many people as their conventional rockets do, usually zero, one if they’re lucky. Using chemical weapons might up the rhetoric and send a few more Israeli tanks into Gaza, but I doubt Israel will nuke Damascus over it. I’m leaning toward agreeing with you here. When I saw the news I figured it just had to be some sort of propaganda. A southern town in Israel, remote, no confirmation. Yet. We’ll see. On the other hand, I can’t say I’d be suprised if it is true. And what’s a little chemical spillage amongst people that willingly strap a bomb to their chest and board a city bus? Or, at least, strap a bomb to their children? Was the alleged missle launched from Syria? Or are you melding two different news stories? This ME conflict is so new and sudden it’s hard to keep up. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/13 "2006-06-29T04:39:11Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > I hope no one here is suggesting that any kind of retaliation against civilians in Gaza would be justified – especially not a _nuclear_ retaliation. > > That kind of over-developed sense of entitled vengence is (I think) the root of the problem on both sides there. Well no shit, Cleuseau. Wasn’t there some sort of fake news story about Israel relinquishing territory to the Palestinians? Maybe this proves they shouldn’t have. Look what it gets them. Damn Jews and their peace efforts. They can’t do anything right! Go Palestine, go! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :wally :wally :smack: :smack: :rolleyes: :smack: :rolleyes: :dubious: :wally :smack: :dubious: :smack: :smack: :wally :wally :wally And in a shout-out: ;j ;j ;j ;j ;j ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/14 "2006-06-29T04:46:30Z")
I have no idea what any of that is supposed to mean. So you’re for killing civilians or against it? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/15 "2006-06-29T04:46:30Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > When I saw the news I figured it just had to be some sort of propaganda. A southern town in Israel, remote, no confirmation. That’s my feeling, too. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/16 "2006-06-29T04:53:15Z")
Has anyone actually been confirmed to have been killed or harmed yet by this alleged “chemical weapons launch”? ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/17 "2006-06-29T04:59:19Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Has anyone actually been confirmed to have been killed or harmed yet by this alleged “chemical weapons launch”? More than anyone else here, I hope not. I hope this is phony. All the same, a known terrorist (the real thing) organization has claimed responsibility. BS or not, someone’s going to pay. ---
**Author:** ![Malodorous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47774/32.png) [@Malodorous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malodorous)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/18 "2006-06-29T04:59:49Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Was the alleged missle launched from Syria? Or are you melding two different news stories? No, Damascus has a lot of Hamas leadership living in it though, so I guess it would be a target for retaliation (indeed Israel responded to the current kidnapping crisis by flying jets over Damascus, so they obviously think Syria has some culpability). But I was just using “Nuke Damascus” to mean “do something really crazy in response that triggers a major war” which seems to be what people up thread were suggesting would happen. > [@BG](#): > > Has anyone actually been confirmed to have been killed or harmed yet by this alleged “chemical weapons launch”? Nope, from [Reuters](http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2006-06-29T013909Z_01_L29258645_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-ROCKET.xml&src=rss&rpc=22) > [@](#): > > An Israeli military spokeswoman said the army had not detected that any such rocket was fired, nor was there any report of such a weapon hitting Israel. As **Duffer** said, it may very well be propaganda on the part of the militants, or a miscommunication between the leadership and the fighters in the Martyrs Brigade ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/19 "2006-06-29T05:02:53Z")
I haven’t seen a specific town named as a target, either. ---
**Author:** ![Malodorous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47774/32.png) [@Malodorous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malodorous)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2006, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591/20 "2006-06-29T05:05:57Z")
> [@Malodorous](#): > > No, Damascus has a lot of Hamas leadership living in it though, so I guess it would be a target for retaliation Err…so as not to misinform, the Martyr’s Brigade is apparently a Fatah outfit, not Hamas. The soldier kidnapping was done by a group more closely linked to Hamas, though not Hamas itself. I feel like I need a flow chart. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reuters-al-aqsa-martyrs-brigades-claims-chemical-weapons-launch-into-israel/362591.md?page=2)