Israel rolls its tanks into Gaza to storm Hamas rocket bases

By Jane Flanagan

Last updated at 11:23 PM on 03 January 2009





Israel dramatically raised the stakes in its offensive against Hamas last night by sending tanks into the Gaza Strip.

Backed by combat helicopters and artillery fire from self-propelled howitzers, the soldiers poured over the border at 6pm British time and encountered heavy resistance.

Parachute flares lit the way for the troops and Merkava tanks as they rolled through the perimeter fence around Gaza, while attack helicopters flew overhead.

Military commanders said the intention was to take control of areas used by Palestinian factions to fire rockets at Israel.


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Snop's Commentary:


Two and a half years ago, Israel attacked Hezbollah strongholds throughout Southern Lebanon. They did so from the air followed by a costly ground assault. The assault quickly bogged down due to lack of planning, preparation and adequate senior leadership. The IDF was fought to a stand still, leaving Israel to look weak and vulnerable for the first time handing Hezbollah a perceived strategic victory.


A perception was created that a Muslim force could take on the conventional might of the IDF an win--no matter how Pyrrhic the victory.


They did so by leveraging the televised suffering of their own people to coerce Israel to halt its attacks before it could achieve its war aims.


The invasion of Gaza is meant to erase the perception of weakness as much as it is about silencing the incessant rocket and motor attacks from Gaza that make Southern Israel vulnerable.


So far no real pressure is being brought to bear on Israel from the US or EU. With the US in its presidential transition, the current lame duck administration lacks the power to do much (even if it wanted to). On the other hand, the incoming president elect has zero authority before 20 Jan. Likewise don't expect much from the EU. The EU presidency, currently held by the Czechs, stated the Israeli ground operation in Gaza is 'defensive not offensive'.


This window of opportunity gives the Israeli's quite a bit of time to knock Hamas down to size. It will be interesting to see how the IDF applies the lessons learned from the summer of 2006 to its advantage in 2009. Meanwhile keep an eye on the Northern border of Israel, a two front war could be in the brewing.