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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan | |
| IDF: we're ready for ground battle | |
| 2008-12-31 | |
"Hamas has indeed prepared for this, but so did we," the IDF official said. IDF officers say they are closely familiar with Hamas' military buildup but add that troops are prepared for the mission ahead. Ever since the Second Lebanon War, the IDF has been engaged in intensive training sessions and preparations ahead of a possible clash in the Strip. A ground assault on Gaza will be a challenge, yet military officials are saying loud and clear: "We're ready." Just a suggestion: One way to avoid dangerous urban warfare is to reduce the urban area to rubble, then bounce it. In recent years, Hamas has been engaged in a military buildup ahead of a possible IDF incursion. IDF officials familiar with the group's efforts say the organization comprises more than 15,000 troops, including Special Forces members and intelligence personnel. Hamas' army has been built in a hierarchical manner, and includes divisions, regiments, and platoons. The group's forces underwent an orderly training program, with some Hamas members sent for training in Syria and Iran. Moreover, Gaza Strip tunnels, some of which were destroyed in IDF bombings in recent days, have been used for smuggling in large quantities of explosives, the IDF says. The weapons that poured into Gaza include anti-tank rockets. Army officials say IDF troops should be expecting "nature reserves," similarly to what soldiers encountered in Lebanon while fighting Hizbullah. Hamas is believed to have prepared numerous underground sites containing various weapons. Military officials estimate that similarly to Hizbullah, which had some "surprises" for the IDF during the Second Lebanon War, Hamas may also be in possession of arms that Israel has no knowledge of. "During the confrontation, Hamas will attempt to operate in an orderly manner and utilize many types of arms, such as explosive devices, snipers, and cells that will attempt to hit our forces," an IDF officer said. "We prepared in terms of protective equipment and also engaged in training exercises in order to address these threats. The IDF's first challenge in case of a ground assault will likely be in the form of roadside bombs aimed at targeting tanks and armored vehicles. Hamas is believed to have dug pits in many Gaza roads and placed powerful explosive devices underground before covering them with cement. However, the Air Force's massive assault in the early days of Operation Cast Lead damaged dozens of Hamas facilities and may undermine the group's efforts. | |
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| #6 All the people of Gaza need to be evacuated to the west bank voluntarily right now. Then Gaza can be scrubbed of weapons and stragglers by the IDF to make it nice and tidy; so, the volunteers can return to their homes. |
| Posted by: rammer 2008-12-31 21:26 |
| #5 A multiprong attack with a cut off of S. Gaza would confuse a lot of the Hamas plans. I think the best reason to wait is organizing a Fatah anti-Hamas unit that would be part of the ground action. |
| Posted by: mhw 2008-12-31 20:19 |
| #4 I think/hope they're not going to go in, but watch what they were going to do (for when they WILL go in). Lot's of before and after satellite/UAV imagery.. Lot's of humint/sigint seeing where tagged people go. time for Israelis to have a Hudnu. |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2008-12-31 20:16 |
| #3 Why is the IDF giving Hamas so much time to prepare? |
| Posted by: crosspatch 2008-12-31 20:09 |
| #2 bounce the rubble first idiots. |
| Posted by: 3dc 2008-12-31 19:46 |
| #1 Never wrestle with a pig, you'll both get dirty and only the pig will enjoy it. Just saying! |
| Posted by: tipper 2008-12-31 19:31 |