Something tells me that there’s going to be a two- or three-front war this summer.
For instance, the depots contained standard antitank Sager rockets and outdated anti-aircraft Strela missiles that could be used against Israeli planes.
Hamas also got hold of several dozen 122-milimeter caliber Grad B rockets (Katyushas), which were apparently brought into Gaza by the Islamic Jihad and seized by Fatah.
Other arms that are now in Hamas’ hands include heavy anti-aircraft DShk machine guns, large quantities of explosives, thousands of guns, a few thousand RPG rockets and millions of bullets of various types.
Additionally, Hamas took hold of radio equipment, night vision systems and telescopes that were held at Fatah’s warehouses.
Hamas’ capture of these weapons has triggered a drastic decline in the prices of arms in the Strip, which dropped by a third, and at some cases even by half.
A senior military source said that following the obtaining of such massive quantities of arms, Hamas plans to increase the size of its security forces. An original plan to augment the army by 6,000, to 12,000 men, has changed and now stands at a planned increase of 9,000 to 15,000 men.
That’s right. Prop up Fatah in the West Bank so Hamas can do the same on both sides.
Zahal should strike Gaza first to seize the initiative. It should strike hard and ruthlessly, ignoring the shreiks of outrage from those who will look on complacently while the Arabs commit genocide against the Jews. Kill all the Hamas gunmen. Give an ultimatum to the Arabs left in Gaza: either live at peace with Israel or go find somewhere else to live.
It must be done quickly and it must be done ruthlessly. The Muslims openly proclaim their intention of genocide. We should take them at their word, and Israel should kill their fighters first. There will be civilian casualties. Tough. Zahal can try to minimize them, but the Palis’ established habit of hiding among civilians will prevent this. Under the Geneva Conventions the onus and responsibility will belong to Hamas for hiding among protected persons.
Why is Israel still providing food, fuel, and medicine, and actually trying to improve access for all of these, instead of locking the gates and letting them convince the Egyptians to supply them?
Simple negotiating policy: return Shalit and stop the shooting, or nothing goes in through Israel.