Erich,
I don't think anyone with eyes to see and a mind to think questions why the Israelis have gone into Gaza. It is the means by which the campaign has been conducted which has raised concerns, as well is it's current failure to meet it's objectives. Something like 1,000 Gazans have now been killed, mainly civilians, and the rocket attacks have not stopped. The IDF claims to have destroyed Hama's infrastructure, but this has clearly not had much effect on the guys firing the rockets. So what does the IDF do? Stay there until all 1.5 million Gazans are dead and their territory pounded into dust? While there are some out there who think that is exactly what should happen, I think the other Arab countries would crush Israel before that happened.
Personally, I am appalled by the suicide bombings and rocket attacks on Israel. But here is a fact - Israel has spent sixty years trying to crush it's Arab neighbours and population by force of arms and it hasn't changed a thing. So surely now is the time to end this cycle? Meeting violence with violence is not working. Now is the time for Israel to take the lead, to rebuild Gaza and the West Bank and show the Palestinians that life without Hamas is the better choice. They won't do that by bombing women and children. After all, Israel won't give in to the slaughter of innocents - why should they expect Hamas to do so?