Richard: You are right, the topic has ranged a bit, but did you really expect it not to?

you wrote:-one Israeli soldier [who is of course by being a soldier a military target].

a military target is such in a time of war. Israel had unilaterally departed Gaza. If there's a war on, you have to acknowledge two (or more) sides to it, and a right to respond. Israel wants her soldier back.

I agree that the Israelis seems to be on a right tear. Reminds me of a bull in the arena that's been bloodied. Possibly they are facing the same dilemma that mechanized, organized forces face against guerrila tactics, they can't be seen to be successful, even when they are.

As to your second sentence: This is not the act of the Palestinian authority nor the act of the Palestinian people-

unfortunately the Palestinian people elected Hamas so it probably is an act of the authority with the tacit approval of the Palestinian people.

It plays into the hands of the extremists everywhere. If you recall what was going on just before things went to hell (this time) Abu Mazin was wringing concessions from Hamas as to acknowledging Israel's right to exist.

As with Afghanistan and Iraq, the terror tactics are being arranged by masters. Check out the classic: "Battle For Algiers". It's all happened before and it will keep happening as long as these tactics get people what they want.