In one of the latest updates on the battles in Gaza between the IDF and Hamas, the IDF has announced that 150 Hamas have been killed in the ground operation that started four days ago and that there is a strong possibility that the IDF could deploy throughout Gaza. From this article at The Jerusalem Post, I've detailed snippets of information below:
One of the aspects of the operation in Gaza right now are reports that nearly all Hamas leaders have tossed out their cell phones in order to escape detection by the IDF, and that certainly is going to take a toll on the coordination of Hamas efforts. However, Hamas has always been assembled in the model of them being operate in very small, self-sufficient cells.
As Operation Cast Lead concluded its harshest 24 hours on Tuesday after the IDF lost five soldiers, senior defense officials revealed that the army was prepared to deploy in the entire Gaza Strip, if necessary.And one item that I haven't seen anywhere else that appears to be a good tactical victory for the IDF:
At least 10 Hamas and Islamic Jihad gunmen were killed in other Gaza battles early Tuesday, the IDF said, claiming that soldiers had killed close to 150 Hamas gunmen since the ground operation was launched on Saturday.
Paratroopers operating near the town of al-Atatra discovered a booby-trapped doll at the entrance to a smuggling tunnel. The doll-bomb was safely dismantled.
A Givati force entered a school on Monday night, and in the morning discovered that it was rigged with explosives that were connected to a piano in a nearby home.
In an overnight clash, paratroopers operating near al-Atatra spotted a suicide bomber and opened fire on him. The shooting triggered his explosive belt, which killed him when it detonated. One soldier was lightly wounded in the incident.
During the raids, IAF planes bombed the Jabalya home of Basal Abu Wadi, a prominent Hamas military officer who was at the level of a company commander in Izzadin Kassam.
The Jabalya home of another Hamas officer, Ashraf Guda, was destroyed in a different air strike. His house was said to function as a Hamas command and control center.
One of the aspects of the operation in Gaza right now are reports that nearly all Hamas leaders have tossed out their cell phones in order to escape detection by the IDF, and that certainly is going to take a toll on the coordination of Hamas efforts. However, Hamas has always been assembled in the model of them being operate in very small, self-sufficient cells.
IDF ready to deploy in all of Gaza Strip
Defense Minister Ehud Barak will decide in the coming days whether Israel should expand the ground operation against the Hamas terrorist infrastructure, they said.
Since the ground operation was launched on Saturday, IDF troops from several infantry and armored brigades have, according to Palestinian reports, taken up positions throughout northern Gaza - near Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanun, Jabalya, Saja'iya and al-Atatra.
Despite increasing international pressure on Israel to withdraw its troops, a senior official confirmed that plans had been drawn up to move troops into the south as well.
Barak said Tuesday that Israel had paid a painful price for a bitter, unavoidable battle.
"It is a bitter battle, but an unavoidable one," he continued. "No peace-loving country can allow a terrorist organization to ruin daily life and embitter the lives of civilians."
A senior IDF officer said on Tuesday that Hamas had stepped up its attacks against troops based in the periphery of towns and villages in northern Gaza. Over 150 Palestinians have been arrested in Gaza.
There have also been a number of kidnapping attempts by Hamas operatives who pop out of tunnels and try to grab soldiers.
If the IDF decides to expand its operations, it may send some of the reservists who have been training in the South into the Gaza Strip.
3 comments:
To say the effort was completely avoidable calls upon Capt. Obvious; Israel has again indicated it will consider a cease fire should Hamas stop firing rockets and mortars; but, of course, what's a depressed peoples to do beside lob weapons? You mean, actually expected to survive, thrive, civilize, advance, move ahead, build, create, unify? Nah; that requires actual work. It's MUCH easier to simply destroy and complain.
BZ
JPost is also reporting that Sarkozy and the PA have worked out a cease fire. No mention of Hamas (this probably the same report mentioned in the last part of your JPost quote).
Holger, I can't stand to think that Israel will quit before going into Gaza proper. I cannot see this as a winning solution. Am I wrong?
Thanks for this report. I'm linking to it.
Maggie @ Maggie's Notebook
BZ,
Thanks for stopping by! I'm surprised the palis, at this point in time with all of the aid $$$ they bring in each year under their facade, even have to get out of bed - have the maid do it.
Maggie,
I'm hearing everything under the sun from Sarkozy to the Egyptians to the post I put up tonight of face to face talks between Israel and Hamas. I'm hoping that Israel is buying some time in that they have determined they can really nail Hamas in a 48 hour period.
:Holger Danske
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