Israel pounds new Hamas targets, enlists reserves

AP (Arab sympathizer Press) ^ | 12 Jan 09 | IBRAHIM BARZAK (Muslim) and JOSEF FEDERMAN

[SkyPilot]

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip —

Israeli warplanes pounded the homes of Hamas leaders and ground troops edged closer to the Gaza Strip's densely-populated urban center Monday, as Israel stepped up the pressure ahead of deciding whether to escalate its devastating two-week offensive.

From downtown Gaza City black smoke could be seen rising over the eastern suburbs, where the two sides skirmished throughout the night. At least six Palestinians were killed in the new airstrikes or died from their wounds on Monday, Gaza health officials said. One of the dead was a militant killed in a northern Gaza battle.

[SkyPilot]

The army also says Hamas has been avoiding pitched battles against the advancing Israelis, resorting instead to guerrilla tactics as its fighters melt into crowded residential areas.

Let me translate that:

It means the Palis and Hamas are cowards. They are not "fighters" and they never were. All they know how to do is set bombs off and lob rockets. When confronted by real soldiers, they run screaming and hide.

Here is the obligatory "Our Most Holy Mosque Has Been Destroyed Propaganda Photo."

[samtheman]

Early Monday, Israeli navy gunboats fired more than 25 shells at Gaza City, setting fires and shaking office buildings, including the local bureau of The Associated Press.

A note to the Israelis: other Quality Targets include: Reuters and CNN.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]

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[Iscool]

I had been watching the live web cam in Gaza City but it appears to have been taken over by Israel...What a pity...

[Skid Marx]

I had been watching the live web cam in Gaza City but it appears to have been taken over by Israel...What a pity... It seemed that most of the activity was south east of the cam. The last I saw was Sunday, about 08:00 UT. Seemed pretty quiet everywhere else. That cam could have been a real resource.