Hamas rocket launchers are cheap steel frames that look like they could be made in a garage workshop for $20 each. The rocket storage sites are more important, but it's likely they have them dispersed all over.
Posted on 01/03/2009 1:21:50 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Israel launched a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip on Saturday after a week-long air campaign against Hamas militants firing rockets into the Jewish state. The Palestinian death toll, before tanks moved in, reached nearly 450. Gaza rocket attacks have killed four Israelis.
Here are some questions and answers about the conflict:
Q - Where do things stand now?
A - Columns of Israeli tanks backed by helicopters crossed the boundary fence from at least four points into the Gaza Strip under darkness.
Israeli military affairs commentators said troops were unlikely to move into Gaza City, the largest population centre in the territory of 1.5 million Palestinians, and would focus instead on destroying Hamas command posts and targeting the Islamist group's commanders and fighters. "The aim is to boost Israel's deterrence before any ceasefire deal," one said.
Q - How long will the operation last?
A - The army said the ground sweep would take "many long days" and was aimed at seizing areas used by Hamas to launch cross-border rocket attacks. Pressure on Israel to cease fire is likely to grow as casualties mount. Some international leaders have called for a truce and anti-Israel protests have erupted across the Middle East and Europe in response to the death of civilians in the Gaza Strip. In Israel, strong public support for the operation could erode if large numbers of Israeli soldiers are killed and rocket fire intensifies. Israel holds a national election on Feb. 10.
Q - What's life like in Gaza?
A - There is food, but not enough, and electricity, but intermittent. There is no shortage of water and the city is not totally blacked out at night. Hospitals do not have enough beds or medicine to cope with the wounded.
(Excerpt) Read more at alertnet.org ...
That shortage of medicine is primarily caused by Hamas grabbing it every time a relief agency brings some in.
They brought it on themselves.
they need to catch and identify some Iranian advisers and execute them , on camera
Why a truce now?
Israel’s not attained its objective yet.
A truce now only helps Hamas.
Don’t stop til ya take out the rocket launchers
Completely take over Jerusalem destroy the Dome over the Rock.
Which means ... there is NO shortage in Gaza ... Move 'em out, IDF ... Let's Roll!
I would imagine that Fatah is keeping a VERY LOW profile right about now.
One rocket attack from the West Bank and the IDF will open up another can of whupa$$.
1. 450 - Fails to mention or distinguish
1) # of Hamas terrorists
2) # of civilians behind whom Hamas was hiding
3) # of civilians who voted for Hamas
4) # of actual innocent civilians
2. 4 Israelis - fails to mention the time frame, excludes the numbers of victims who have been on going casualties of rocket attacks.
3. Fails to mention the context of 3000 Hamas rocket attacks on Israel which led to this situation.
Conclusion: A pro Hamas propaganda piece masquerading as news.
Amen!
There's a Nehemiah with a trowel and a sword ... just wait'n to rebuild.
What do you expect from al Reuters?
Nothing else than propaganda, but you did ask for comments
A followerer of WTS, I see.
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“If they want eternal war, well and good; we accept the issue, and will dispossess them and put our friends in their place.
I know thousands and millions of good people who at simple notice would come to North Alabama and accept the elegant houses and plantations there.
If the people of Huntsville think different, let them persist in war three years longer, and then they will not be consulted.
Three years ago by a little reflection and patience they could have had a hundred years of peace and prosperity, but they preferred war; very well.
Last year they could have saved their slaves, but now it is too late.
All the powers of earth cannot restore to them their slaves, any more than their dead grandfathers.
Next year their lands will be taken, for in war we can take them, and rightfully, too, and in another year they may beg in vain for their lives.
A people who will persevere in war beyond a certain limit ought to know the consequences.
Many, many peoples with less pertinacity have been wiped out of national existence.”
William Tecumseh Sherman, 1864
Hamas rocket launchers are cheap steel frames that look like they could be made in a garage workshop for $20 each. The rocket storage sites are more important, but it's likely they have them dispersed all over.
Forgive my ignorance.
Here in the U.S. a whole lot of areas have a triangulation scheme that allows the cops to determine almost immediately
where shots in a city are fired from.
No such apparatus that can determine and respond to rocket launchers immediately?
The Hamas approach seems to be to set up the rocket next to civilians, hit the timer button, and run like hell. Any counter-battery fire will hit the civilians and not the Hamas people, who will be far away by that point.
HAMAS also refuses to allow the wounded to leave for Egypt to get medical treatment. Probably because they:
1) Won’t be allowed back into the Gaza Strip until after the conflict.
-and-
2) Can’t be used as propaganda in the Western press if they die.
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