Israel has now started the ground campaign. So what is the goal according to Israeli officials?
‘Change the reality on the ground.’ according to officials.
So that means stop the rockets (Grads) and ‘Smash Hamas’, to stop them from gathering those types of munitions.
The goal is not to topple the Hamas regime, according to these officials, but I think they are just being safe with the objectives.
During the 2006 war in Lebanon, Israel got into trouble by creating way to lofty goals. So in this war, the public statements and objectives will be very basic and seemingly attainable. So far, they have destroyed tunnels, Hamas buildings, and Hamas munitions, and have destroyed senior leadership with the air campaign. To me, those are reasonable expectations and they have accomplished that.
For the ground campaign, expect the same type of mentality. They might have very extreme goals, but never lead on to those extreme goals and publicly set the bar as low as they can.
The big one here is the public relations aspect of this war. For a guerilla force, or smaller force to win, all they have to do is survive or better yet, keep the larger force from achieving their stated goal.
Also, Gaza is packed with people, and this battlefield has been prepared by Hamas. Civilians will be used as human shields by Hamas, and it will be very difficult for Israel to work around that. Also, Hamas has stated that they wanted to take Israeli soldiers as prisoners if they can. Their only hope for that is concentrated ambushes on smaller IDF forces. The use of tunnels and the use of IED’s will be a big factor, and Hamas will do all they can to harass and just survive. I also expect the population to act as observers and scouts for Hamas, which will really be hard to work with in such concentrated areas. –Matt
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Second stage of Operation Cast Lead begins
3 Jan 2009
(Communicated by the IDF Spokesperson)
A short while ago IDF forces began to implement the second stage of Operation Cast Lead. Land forces have begun to maneuver within the Gaza Strip.
The objective of this stage is to destroy the terrorist infrastructure of the Hamas in the area of operation, while taking control of some of rocket launching area used by the Hamas, in order to greatly reduce the quantity of rockets fired at Israel and Israeli civilians.
The IDF Spokesperson emphasizes that this stage of the operation will further the goals of Operation Cast Lead as communicated till now: To strike a direct and hard blow against the Hamas while increasing the deterrent strength of the IDF, in order to bring about an improved and more stable security situation for residents of Southern Israel over the long term.
Large numbers of forces are taking part in this stage of the operation including infantry, tanks, engineering forces, artillery and intelligence with the support of the Israel Air Force, Israel navy, Israel Security Agency and other security agencies.
The operation is in accord with the decisions of the Security Cabinet. This stage of the operation is a part of the IDF’s overall operational plan, and will continue on the basis of ongoing situational assessments by the IDF General Staff.
The forces participating in the operation have been highly trained and were prepared for the mission over the long period that the operation was planned. The Commander of the operation is Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant, GOC Southern Command.
The IDF and the Homefront Command have taken the necessary steps to protect the civilian population. All residents of Southern Israel are requested to follow the directives of the Homefront command as communicated via the media.
The IDF Spokesperson wishes to reiterate that the residents of Gaza are not the target of the operation. Those who use civilians, the elderly, women and children as “human shields” are responsible for any and all injury to the civilian population. Anyone who hides a terrorist or weapons in his house is considered a terrorist.
On the basis of a situation analysis, The IDF is taking steps to raise the level of alert for its forces in other areas of the country.
Link Here