The IDF says that Hamas’ response is light for two reasons: Either they’re holding back, or their response capability has been severely degraded by the attacks. It’s possible they’re waiting for the ground attack to begin, but—well, see for yourself.
IDF officials admit that Hamas may still launch a significant response, but say that the organization’s current reaction is an indication of weakness. “The blow they sustained at the beginning of the operation damaged their infrastructure, launching pads, arms caches and their commanders’ ability to do their job,” one official explained.
Publicly, the IDF keeps saying the ground war is “possible.”
“Operation Cast Lead” is not nearing its end: The tanks and heavy machinery that have been transported to the Gaza vicinity are already ready for a possible ground incursion, and senior IDF officials believe that the operation is far from over.
They called up 6,700 reserves, and they’re massing armor on the Gaza border, and setting up mortars. The possibility is certainly there. Which is why the IDF destroyed the tunnels:
Destroying the tunnels under the Philadelphi Route means cutting off Gaza terror’s lifeline, military sources told Ynet Sunday.
[…] The IDF said that while rebuilding the tunnels would surly take months, writing off the entire tunnel industry would be unwise: “The objective is seriously diminish Hamas’ capabilities. Patience must be exercised since there are many tunnels and other targets we have yet to hit,” said a source.
“The IDF has yet to inflict its full force. One thing is clear, we are working to change the reality in the area.”
Good.
I think another thing is clear. I think the IDF came down so hard, and in such force, in part to scare the citizens of Gaza into abandoning Hamas. If Hamas can’t gather human shields, the next part of the operation will go that much more smoothly. If Gazans are more frightened of the IDF than of Hamas, they’ll clear out of the battle area and let nature take its course. And by “nature” I mean “the superiority of the IDF will become evident fairly soon after the Hamas terrorists turn tail and run for their lives—the few that are left.”
Israel cannot afford to let Iran turn Hamas into another Hezbullah. And so, Operation Cast Lead.
More likely, the terrorists will just disguise themselves as civilians and hide until they can attack again. With help from the media, who tend to label anyone who isn’t a member of the US, UN, or Israeli armed forces a “civilian.”