Like in Lebanon, in Gaza "Israel" Blinked First

 
Source: Al-Manar TV, 1-1-2008

After six days of the "Israeli" aggression against the Gaza Strip, "Israeli" media reflected the confusion that the "Israeli" occupation army is passing through following the brave steadfastness of the Gazans, despite the high death toll among them that reached 400 martyrs till now, along with the missile system of the Palestinian resistance that has never stopped firing into the "Israeli" settlements.

"Israeli" daily Haaretz published Thursday an analysis in which it reflected that "Israeli" chaos, linking between the current aggression against Gaza and the "Israeli" defeat during the Second Lebanon War in July 2006.

The "Israeli" daily said, "About six months ago, when Hamas was on the ropes and begging for a cease-fire, many people warned that if "Israel" responded and picked Hamas up off the ropes, the rockets it would fire after it recovered would reach Ashdod and Beer Sabaa."

But, according to Haaretz, ""Israeli" War Minister Ehud Barak, in a very strange decision, decided to allow Hamas to regroup, increase its capabilities, manufacture and smuggle in more advanced arms, and upgrade from a gang of terrorists to a Hizbullah-like military organization."

The report added that now the "Israeli" settlers of the Negev - and especially the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip - are paying the price of the "Israeli" defense minister's weakness and failed leadership, and the whole government bears collective responsibility.

"The declared goal of Operation Cast Lead ("the creation of a new security reality") is minimalist and reveals "Israel's" unwillingness to fight for a long-term resolution that will create a comprehensive new reality, not only a new security reality. What is worse, the way the battle is being waged after the impressive air strikes raises concerns that the operation's leaders do not intend to achieve even its modest aims, among other reasons because "Israel" once again blinked first."

Haaretz report continued, "The blinking did not begin on Tuesday with Barak's announcement that "Israel" was considering a "humanitarian" 48-hour cease-fire. It began when the first air strikes were not immediately accompanied by a ground operation. "Israel" showed, as in Lebanon, that it does not want to reach a strategic resolution and does not have the will, determination or self-confidence to lead a military operation beyond reprisal and punitive action."
 
"The more days go by with the main component aerial bombardment, which, like in Lebanon, cannot stop the rockets, the public begins to feel (our leaders' arguments show this) that the operation is losing momentum. A sense is growing that something has been missed, especially in the Negev communities. The national mood, which rallied last Saturday, is beginning to sag, and disappointment is beginning to seep in."

The "Israeli" daily said, "Had it not been for the 80 rockets fired at the Negev a week ago Wednesday - which aroused public anger that the government and the "Israeli" defense minister cannot ignore, especially before elections - it is doubtful the operation would have begun. Then, too, a loud media campaign opposed entering cities; then, too, ("Israeli") military reporters and commentators, among them retired generals, frightened us that there would be masses of casualties; then, too, they said terror could not be beaten by military means. But the result even after eight years speaks for itself."

The report concluded, "If there will still be a ground operation in Gaza, it must not be hesitant like in Lebanon...And if the political and military leadership does not have the courage to risk soldiers to decide the campaign and attain its goals, then it is better not to risk them. If the concealed goal is not resolution but another cease-fire, then it is a pity to use ground forces because the enemy will revive once again and smuggle in rockets, which this time will be able to hit Dimona, and perhaps even Tel Aviv. And once again the air force will be sent in. And again, after every red line is crossed, there will be an amazing air strike. And what then? And until when?"

US EXPERT: HAMAS ADOPTING HIZBULLAH TACTICS IN GAZA

Another study said that US counterterrorism experts said that since taking control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, Hamas has adopted the rocket tactics used by Hizbullah, shifting away from its reliance on martyrdom operations in the Zionist entity.

Part of that shift may be attributable to Hamas' arsenal of longer-range rockets. Several "Israeli" settlements that had previously been out of reach of Hamas' rockets now are being hit by them, said a U.S. counterterrorism official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss foreign intelligence.

Hamas rockets have struck the large southern cities of Beer Sabaa and Ashdod, home of "Israel's" largest port, for the first time since the end of the truce on December 19.
A former U.S. intelligence official said Hamas is now using Iranian versions of the Katyusha and Grad rockets with a range of 18.6 to 21.7 miles (30 to 35 kilometers). The new rockets dramatically extend Hamas' reach. Hamas had relied heavily on the shorter-range homemade Qassams that fly only up to 1.8 miles (3 kilometers), the former official said.
 
The rockets do not have guidance systems so they are indiscriminate in targeting. But that makes them well suited for a barrage on a town or a dispersed battlefield of soldiers, particularly if fired in great numbers. "Hamas has definitely learned from Hizbullah," the former official said.
In the month-long 2006 "Israeli" aggression against Lebanon, Hizbullah fired more than 4,000 missiles into the Zionist entity, about a third of its missiles stores at the time. The "Israeli" government said in 2006 that Hizbullah also wielded Iranian-made missiles with ranges of up to 50 miles (80 kilometers). Hamas does not appear to have used those longer-range tactical missiles, the former intelligence official said.