ADDING to post no. 1313:
Note: The following post is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1978126/posts
IDF forces prepare for Gaza incursion
Ynet ^
Posted on 02/28/2008 11:59:50 PM PST by maquiladora
Dozens of tanks, artillery battery positioned just north of Gaza to reinforce infantry, engineering corps forces already inside Strip ahead of possible large-scale ground operation. PM returns from Japan, updated on Grad, Qassam rocket attacks on Ashkelon
Over the past few days the IDF has positioned an artillery battery near Kibbutz Beeri, located about three kilometers (1.8 miles) from the Gaza border, and dozens of tanks have made their way to an assembling area just north of the Strip.
Forces from the Givati Brigade, the Armored Corps’ 9th Battalion and the Engineering Corps have already entered the Strip ahead of a possible large-scale ground incursion.
The reinforcements, while limited, appear to indicate increased readiness on the part of the IDF.
Meanwhile, during his flight back from Japan Friday morning, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was updated on Thursday’s Grad and Qassam rocket attacks on Ashkelon and the western Negev. The political-security cabinet is scheduled to convene Wednesday to discuss the escalation in the south.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Egyptian intelligence chief Omer Suleiman are due in Israel Tuesday.
ADDING to post no. 1322:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1978128/posts?page=10#10
#
Note: The following post SNIPPET is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1978128/posts
U.S. Navy ships move closer to Lebanon ( 9 ships )
CNN ^
Posted on 02/29/2008 12:29:16 AM PST by maquiladora
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The U.S. Navy has moved the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole and other ships to the eastern Mediterranean Sea off Lebanon, Pentagon officials said Thursday.
(snip)
The destroyer and two support ships are close to Lebanon but out of visual range of the coast, Pentagon officials said.
Another six vessels, led by the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau, are close to Italy and steaming toward the other three, the officials said.
(Excerpt) Read more at edition.cnn.com ...