Hamas voor een tijdje vleugellam maken door het uitschakelen van infrastructuur en wapenvoorraden, is waarschijnlijk het beste wat Israel met deze akties kan bereiken.
Niet alleen uit humanitair oogpunt probeert Israel zo weinig mogelijk burgers te raken; bij grote aantallen burgerdoden aan Palestijnse kant zal Israel door de internationale gemeenschap worden gedwongen de militaire campagne voortijdig te beëindigen, zoals in het verleden meermaals gebeurde.
Hamas van haar kant streeft naar zo veel mogelijk burgerslachtoffers aan Israelische kant: ze wil zo zuid-Israel onleefbaar maken voor Joden.
Wouter
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A year's intel yields 'alpha hits'
Yaakov Katz , THE JERUSALEM POST
Dec. 26, 2008
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230111714969&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
A year's intel yields 'alpha hits'
Yaakov Katz , THE JERUSALEM POST
Dec. 26, 2008
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230111714969&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
A year of information-gathering by Military Intelligence and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) paved the way Saturday for Operation Cast Lead.
At 11:30 a.m., more than 50 fighter jets and attack helicopters swept into Gazan airspace and dropped more than 100 bombs on 50 targets. The planes reported "alpha hits," IAF lingo for direct hits on the targets, which included Hamas bases, training camps, headquarters and offices.
Thirty minutes later, a second wave of 60 jets and helicopters struck at 60 targets, including underground Kassam launchers - placed inside bunkers and missile silos - that had been fitted with timers.
Their locations were discovered in an intensive intelligence operation. The goal: to strike at Hamas's ability to fire rockets into Israel.
More than 170 targets were hit by IAF aircraft throughout the day. At least 230 Gazans were killed and over 780 were wounded, according to Palestinian sources. Officials said at least 15 civilians were among the dead.
More than 170 targets were hit by IAF aircraft throughout the day. At least 230 Gazans were killed and over 780 were wounded, according to Palestinian sources. Officials said at least 15 civilians were among the dead.
The IDF released a list of some of the targets hit: the Hamas headquarters and training camp in Tel Zatar; the "Palestinian Prisoner Tower" in Gaza City that was turned into a Hamas operations center and armory; the Hamas police academy, which was bombed during a graduation ceremony, killing 70-80 people; training camps in southern and central Gaza; the former office of Yasser Arafat in Gaza City that is now used by Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh; and the Izzadin Kassam Brigades headquarters in the northern Gaza Strip.
Throughout the initial stages of the air operation, the IDF Gaza Coordination and Liaison Administration transmitted messages to civilians in Gaza to stay away from Kassam launch sites and Hamas buildings and infrastructure.
Throughout the initial stages of the air operation, the IDF Gaza Coordination and Liaison Administration transmitted messages to civilians in Gaza to stay away from Kassam launch sites and Hamas buildings and infrastructure.
AP contributed to this report
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One Israeli killed, 4 hurt as Palestinian rockets hit Negev home
By Fadi Adayat and Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondents, and Haaretz Service
Last update - 17:36 27/12/2008
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050399.html
Last update - 17:36 27/12/2008
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1050399.html
Palestinians in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip fired at least 25 Qassam and Grad rockets into southern Israel on Saturday after Israeli air strikes killed more than 195 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Palestinian sources.
One of the rockets directly struck a home in the town of Netivot, causing extensive damage. One person was killed in the attack and four suffered moderate to serious injuries.
One rocket struck just outside Kiryat Gat, some 20 kilometers from Gaza. The strike marked the first time in the eight years since Hamas has been firing rockets into Israel that a rocket has struck the southern Israeli city.
The Israel Defense Forces had put communities near the border on alert, anticipating massive rocket barrages from Gaza in response to the Israel Air Force offensive in the territory.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak had ordered a state of emergency in all communities that lie within a radius of 20 kilometers of the Gaza Strip.
Defense officials anticipate a massive Palestinian bombardment of Israeli communities following the IAF strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza.
A short time following the IAF strikes, seven rockets exploded in the western Negev.
The IDF Home Front Command has issued directives to residents of towns adjacent to the Gaza border, including Sderot, requiring them to remain indoors. Authorities are forbidding residents from gathering in crowds.
Israelis residing in communities within a radius of 10 kilometers from Gaza are required to enter bomb-proof shelters within 15 seconds of hearing the siren warning of an incoming projectile.
Residents in towns which lie within a radius of 20-30 kilometers from the Gaza fence - areas which include Ashdod, Ofakim, Kiryat Malachi, Kiryat Gat, and Rahat - are to enter shelters within 45 seconds of hearing the sirens
One of the rockets directly struck a home in the town of Netivot, causing extensive damage. One person was killed in the attack and four suffered moderate to serious injuries.
One rocket struck just outside Kiryat Gat, some 20 kilometers from Gaza. The strike marked the first time in the eight years since Hamas has been firing rockets into Israel that a rocket has struck the southern Israeli city.
The Israel Defense Forces had put communities near the border on alert, anticipating massive rocket barrages from Gaza in response to the Israel Air Force offensive in the territory.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak had ordered a state of emergency in all communities that lie within a radius of 20 kilometers of the Gaza Strip.
Defense officials anticipate a massive Palestinian bombardment of Israeli communities following the IAF strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza.
A short time following the IAF strikes, seven rockets exploded in the western Negev.
The IDF Home Front Command has issued directives to residents of towns adjacent to the Gaza border, including Sderot, requiring them to remain indoors. Authorities are forbidding residents from gathering in crowds.
Israelis residing in communities within a radius of 10 kilometers from Gaza are required to enter bomb-proof shelters within 15 seconds of hearing the siren warning of an incoming projectile.
Residents in towns which lie within a radius of 20-30 kilometers from the Gaza fence - areas which include Ashdod, Ofakim, Kiryat Malachi, Kiryat Gat, and Rahat - are to enter shelters within 45 seconds of hearing the sirens
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