|
|
| By Israel Insider staff December 8, 2007 |
|
| |
 Bookmark to del.icio.us |
| |
Hamas has extended the range of missiles that can be fired from Gaza to 25 kilometers (16 miles) and can thus reach the Israeli cities of Ashkelon, Netivot and Ofakim and many smaller towns and communities between them. An additional 175,000 inhabitants are now within range of larger weapons, equivalent to short range Katyushas with which Hezbullah long terrorized residents of Israel's north, Debka reported.
The extended range also means that the missiles can be fired from deep within the Gaza Strip, including densely populated Gaza City. Israel has reportedly limited itself to incursions within 2 km (a mile) of the Gaza border, to which the missile crews have responded by moving further in.
Debka reports that on December 6, deputy defense minister Matan Vilnai travelled throughout the southern region, warning local authorities that they need to prepare their towns and villages for bombardment.
Debka reports that PM Ehud Olmert and DM Ehud Barak have again decided to postpone indefinitely any Israeli military action in Gaza, leaving Hamas free to continue smuggling in weapons, raw materials for the missiles, and ammunition. They were apparently were deterred by threats from the Palestinians to break off peace talks if the IDF enters Gaza, and likely orders from the United States not to interfere with the "peace momentum."
Defense officials disclosed on December 7, Debka reported, that Hamas now has long-term storage facilities for up to 100 Qassam missiles, which enables them to fire multiple bursts at Israeli targets. Officers in the IDF southern command report they repeatedly warned the government that this multiple-fire capability, comparable to that used in the Hizballah?s blitz of northern Israel last year, was under development.
The officers also report Hamas has set up special units of fighters dressed in the same uniforms and camouflage gear as Israeli troops, armed with the same M-16 rifles and their vehicles painted in the same camouflage colors at the IDF. The units are being trained to enter Israel overland or through tunnels, using the confusion caused by their IDF-like appearance to storm civilian and military locations. Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists are now reported to be operating under a unified command.
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
