Too many of those covering Israel’s war against Hamas in December and January have used the disparity in casualties as a proof that Israel utilized disproportionate force and violated international norms. The latest tactic has been to publicize the claims of a very interested party as objective fact as proof that Israel overreacted.
Israel, however, faced a real threat. But it wasn’t just the threats that the Qassams and mortars posed – and continue to pose – to its civilian population in the south. Israel faced real threats in the battlefield. Israel’s success in countering or avoiding those threats was remarkable. Elder of Ziyon observes one such success. Apparently the Iranian anti-tank missiles – which were successful in Lebanon in 2006 – did not work so well in Gaza. The Elder comments:
The frustrated terrorists are feeling betrayed by Iran, thinking that the regime had purposefully sent them duds. I am wondering if the IDF jammed the electronics on the Iranian missiles.
Israel lost a lot of soldiers in Lebanon due to those missiles. It’s entirely possible that the IDF adjusted in order to counter the threat.
Crossposted on Soccer Dad.
Basically, there are two types of Iranian anti-armor missiles, both copies of Soviet technology. There is a TOW version (tube launched, optically sighted, wire guided) and a laser tracking version. While there may have indeed been some duds (even American manufactured TOW missles have a high failure rate), most likely it has to do with the steep learning curve and demanding training required to be effective with either missile. Not to mention the courage to stay up and in sight of an advancing tank in order to track, fire, and guide the missiles. Most likely, poorly motivated illiterate fanatics couldn’t use them effectively. Hizbollah poorly motivated illiterate fanatics could go to Syria for training, but nobody wants any Palestinians coming over for an extended stay.
Might be the lack of bathing and personal hygiene habits.
Anyway, in Lebanon, the IDF was surprised by the fact that the missiles were in the hands of the enemy, and didn’t adapt their tactics. Both types of missiles require a direct line of sight for engagement, unlike more sophisticated missiles that are video guided and can be “flown” their target.
One tactic of modern Armies since Napolean, not used by the IDF in Lebanon, but used to great effect in Gaza was the use of overwhelming artillery (and air) fire to demoralize the enemy. You can’t fight back against artillery, and even if it doesn’t kill anyone or break anything, it’s still hard to put up with for a few days. Or even hours.
The interesting thing about contemporary warfare, if the Allies suspected Germany was hiding munitions in the basement of a hospital, they wouldn’t have hesitated to reduce it to rubble just to find out for sure. The unwillingness of the IDF, and the US, to engage in Total War while their enemy is will eventually result in their defeat.