If Israel's response is "disproportionate," what would be proportionate?

The ever-insightful Michael Totten challenges critics who accuse Israel of "disproportionate response" in its air strikes on Hamas terrorists:

A single Israeli air strike is going to kill at least as many people as Hamas can kill in twelve months. Does that mean Israel should be given a “license” of one air strike per year to use in the war? If IDF commanders want to take out a target where they expect five Hamas leaders or fighters to be killed, do they have to wait until five Israelis are killed first? If the Israelis endure rocket fire until one civilian is killed, do they get a “kill one Palestinian terrorist” coupon? 

Comments

[John]

I cannot oomprehend the criticisms leveled against Israel for having defended its people within its own boundaries. Hamas simply must be eradicated. It is Hamas who is responsible for the present "suffering" of Palestinians, not Israel.

Israel should remorselessly clear 100 westward yards per day - people, buildings, and infrastructure - on a border-wide north/south front and to the Mediterranean if necessary.

There are no "innocent civilians" in Gaza. These are the people who allow Hamas to live among them, and who shield them from discovery. They are guilty, not pitiable.

Each has opportunity to walk from the beseiged area, yet they stay. There is no wailing until the cameras are engaged. The "misery" is staged, and participation is voluntary.

Israel is to be admired and congratulated for the extreme restraint it has exhibited for many years. For fear of unjust international disapproval, Israel has been overly cautious, and her children remain beseiged and in peril.

Fire away, Israel! This Gentile for one will applaud every round you deliver. Let us revel with you over suppression of anti-semitic action in the entire middle east, just as we did in response to your victory in the 6-Day war so many years ago.

[Carol Toth]

Why do people expect Isreal to continuously take the bombing and killing of women and children, and not do something about it. Americans would never stand for Canada to lop missles at us and get away with it. The state militia's of the states involved, the very citizens would rise up with arms and defend their land and families, why don't we allow Isreal the right to do the same.

[Yvonne]

I thank God that Isreal considers everyone of their people! I do not know of any other nation that are so interwoven. One or a thousand? what if that one Isreal person was your son, daughter or any one you loved? May God Bless Isreal now and forever.

[Kristin]

I can't believe the world is not supporting Israel. What happened to the just war theory?

[Robert Bray]

I think Israel has tolerated too much as it is. May GOD protect all of his people forever and evermore AMEN.

[Bennet422]

Of course, you know as well as anyone that the terrorist provocation against Israel has been going on for years. You know as well as anyone that Hamas and millions of like-minded individuals in the Arab and Muslim world have never accepted Israel's existence.

Geez ... "murder" ... "genocide" ... "spiral of violence" ... you have all the terms down pat, don't you? The only thing you don't have on your side is the truth. And it's the only thing that makes a difference.

[sassinfras]

the palestinian david is resisting the israeli goliath with sticks and stones compared to the israeli weapons. israel has been murdering palestinians because they are resisting the genocide policies which the zionist are inflicting.israel has countless time during the cease fire agreement bombed and murdered arabs thus causing a spiral of violence we see today. it ok for israel the bomb gaza but when the arabs retaliate they are called terrorist.