Benjamin Netanyahu has joined the PR effort, which is a very good thing. He’s handsome, eloquent, and persuasive. And he’ll be needed for the next phase, because it’s going to get pretty ugly, pretty soon.
Despite the Israeli Air Force’s massive strikes throughout the Gaza Strip in the last three days, military sources estimated Monday that Hamas’ military wing was still intact and that it was capable of carrying out substantial operations in the near future.
Meanwhile, the IDF was preparing Monday for the next stage of Operation Cast Lead, which will see ground forces entering the Strip.
Large forces and heavy machinery are already stationed near Gaza, and the IDF is holding deliberations aimed at determining the nature of the ground incursion. The army is inclined to broaden the operation in order to boost Israel’s deterrence vis-Ã -vis Hamas.
The forces on the ground have already been informed of the missions they will likely be ordered to carry out, including maneuvers aimed at locating and neutralizing terror infrastructure and targeting Hamas forces.
Hamas is ready for them.
Hamas, once known for its suicide attacks inside Israeli cities, is no longer a small-time terrorist group, but a large guerrilla army that has well-trained forces deployed throughout the entire Gaza Strip.
Were the IDF to embark on a ground operation in Gaza, it would face an army of close to 20,000 armed men, among them at least 15,000 Hamas operatives. The rest are from Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Popular Resistance Committees.
Since the cease-fire went into effect in Gaza in June, Hamas has used the lull in action to fortify its military posts in the Strip and dig tunnel systems as well as underground bunkers for its forces. IDF estimates put the length of the tunnels at over 50 kilometers.
Hamas has also dug foxholes throughout the Strip to accommodate anti-tank missile units, and prepared massive bombs, which have been placed on the main access roads into Gaza.
In addition to its homemade Kassam rockets, Hamas has smuggled into Gaza a number of anti-aircraft cannons and several shoulder-to-air missiles. It also a large number of anti-tank missiles that, if used correctly, could wreak havoc on Israeli armor in the event of a ground operation involving tanks and armored personnel carriers.
It also has Special Forces – commando forces and units with expertise in rocket fire, mortar attacks and roadside bombs.
But there’s one crucial element:
“Hamas has learned a lot from Hizbullah and has adopted many of the Lebanese group’s tactics which were used successfully against the IDF in the Second Lebanon War,” one IDF official said.
Hamas did learn a lot. From the last war. The IDF has already proved that it’s fighting the next war in the air, and on the airwaves. Now to see if the IDF is fighting the next war on the ground as well.
Time to include all the soldiers of the IDF in your prayers, if you haven’t already.
Too bad Leftists have made the concept of Total War obsolete… Maybe Israel – and the US, should stop caring about “world opinion” and just get the job done. For a more complete commentary, you may wish to google “Total War” and “Useful idiots.”
Robert
“In addition to its homemade Kassam rockets, Hamas has smuggled into Gaza a number of anti-aircraft cannons and several shoulder-to-air missiles. It also a large number of anti-tank missiles that, if used correctly, could wreak havoc on Israeli armor in the event of a ground operation involving tanks and armored personnel carriers.”
Any guess as to where these will be sited? I hope that the Israelis, who are actually responding with intelligent hasbarah this time around, will have their soliders and airmen take along video cameras so this can be made crystal clear…not that it will do any good.
As to prayers…yes, for the men and women of the IDF and the Israeli citizens whose lives Hamas has ruthlessly tried to take.
For Hamas and its supporters, I can’t offer any prayers except that the Israelis will send them straight to the hell they deserve. It’s an unchristian attitude to be sure, but I come by that honestly.
Anti-aircraft cannons and shoulder-to-air missiles? My guess is that if they had them, they don’t any more. And since they haven’t used any, they probably didn’t have any. The “anti-tank” missile threat sounds a lot like the Saddam Hussein “Invade Iraq and blood will run four feet deep” threats. My best guess is that Pal weapons consist of roadside bombs and homicide bombers. A scorched earth policy would probably rid Israel of the Kassam’s – and the world of Palestinians, but again, it’s doubtful the “useful idiots” would stand for it.